
This year's list of the highest paid DJs in the world has been revealed, with Calvin Harris topping the chart for the fifth year in a row. Forbes reports the Scottish DJ and producer earned $48.5m in the 12 months between June 2016 and June 2017.
Harris's huge earnings put him comfortably atop Forbes‘ Electronic Cash Kings list for 2017. Tiesto finished second with a reported $39m. The Chainsmokers, meanwhile, make their debut on the annual list following a breakthrough year in which they are said to have made $38m.
Harris's success as a recording artist contributed to his earnings. He released new alum Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 in June. The album features collaborations with Frank Ocean and Katy Perry among others. He also pulls in "mid-six-figure fees for his Las Vegas performances and seven-figure music festival," according to Forbes. Fees for agents, managers and lawyers are not subtracted.
Lower down on the list are Skrillex ($30m), Steve Aoki ($29.5m), and Diplo ($28.5m). The top 10 on the list made a collective $298 million, up from $270.5 million in 2016. The lack of diversity is striking, if unsurprising, with no women featuring in the top 10 at all.
Forbes‘ Electronic Cash Kings 2017:
1. Calvin Harris ($48.5m)
2. Tiesto ($39m)
3. The Chainsmokers ($38m)
4. Skrillex ($30m)
5. Steve Aoki ($29.5m)
6. Diplo ($28.5m)
7. David Guetta ($25m)
8. Marshmello ($21m)
9. Martin Garrix ($19.5m)
10. Zedd ($19m)