As a music enthusiast, you might have heard mixtapes and singles from top DJs like Calvin Harris, Gianluca Vacchi, David Guetta, and the like. But, have you ever been curious to throw an eye on their net worth?
Some of these disk jockeys have amassed a lot of wealth from what was once a hobby-disk jockeying. To help you learn about them, we have outlined a list of the 12 richest disk jockeys in the world. Keep reading to learn about them.
12. Deadmau5-$ 50 Million
Joel Thomas Zimmerman, popularly known as Deadmau5, is a Canadian DJ, musician, and electronic music producer with a net worth of more than $50 million.
According to sources, Deadmau5 has raked his net worth from music ventures, including album sales, live performances, and music production.
At the time of this writing, he has sold more than 4.2 million tracks and over 1.2 albums in the US.
Examples of his famous albums include ‘lack of a better name,' (2009) which featured the hit singles “Strobe” and ‘Ghosts' n' Stuff.’ The other popular albums include While(1<2)(2014) and 4×4=12 album(2010), which contained hits like “Sofi needs a ladder” and “some chords,”
On the other hand, Deadmau5's singles include “move for me,” which appeared no 1 in the dance charts. The track was a collaboration between him and Kaskade.
When it comes to properties, Deadmau5 owns a country estate worth $5 million in Campbellville, Ontario. The mansion covers approximately 14,000 square feet and has plenty of amenities, including a swimming pool, gym, and multiple bathrooms.
He has earned a lot of respect and popularity for his charitable deeds to various causes. For instance: he contributed:
- $5,000 to Jauz's Make-a-Wish charity stream
- $25,000 to the streaming service Twitch, etc
11. Armin Van Buuren-$ 55 Million
Armin Jozef Jacobus Daniel Van Buuren, professionally known as Armin Van Burren, is a dutch record producer, composer, and Dj. He boasts a net worth of around $55 million.
Van started to work as a Dj in the club Nexus in his early years at the Leiden university. Working locally helped him nail his djing skills first, and he started his label, Armind, with United Recordings and released his first album, ‘A State of Trance,’ in 2000.
During the same year, Van released his second album, “Basic Instinct,” which featured the song “Perpetuous Dreamer.” It topped the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
After the second album, the Van continued to release more albums like “In Motion,” in 2001, “Transparency,” in 2002, “Shivers,” in 2005, and many others, which topped the Billboard charts.
His net worth combines his proceeds from royalties, composing music for other artists, recording labels, and his $5 million mansion in Amsterdam.
He has won multiple awards in his career, including the Golden Harp award in 2010, which acknowledged his contribution to Dutch music.
10. Afrojack-$ 60 Million
Nick Van de Wall is a Dutch music Dj, producer, and the founder of record wall recordings. He has a net worth of close to $60 million.
According to sources, Afrojack has accumulated wealth from selling albums and recording music for other artists.
He has also amassed some fortune from live concerts. For instance, Afrojack has appeared at various festivals, including the ultra music festival, the electric daisy carnival, Coachella, and Tomorrowland.
An Example of his debut album is ‘forget the world,' which appeared no 2 on the billboards electronic albums chart and no 32 on the billboard 200. It sold 8,000 copies within the first week after its release. The album featured artists like Sting, Snoop Dog, Wiz Khalifa, and Tyler Glenn of neon trees.
He has won several awards over his career life including:
- Grammy awards for best-remixed recording in 2011
- Grammy award for best rap song in 2012
- Grammy awards for best dance recording in 2021
- Grammy award for the best electronic music and stage performance in 2021, etc.
9. Kaskade-$ 60 Million
Kaskade, aka Ryan Raddon, is an American DJ, record producer, and musician. He is popularly known for his hit albums like dynasty, dance love, etc., and singles like ‘Steppin out,' ‘stars align,' ‘atmosphere,' ‘everything,' and ‘I remember' among others.
He has a net worth of more than $60 million, which he has accumulated from music sales, DJ gigs, recording proceeds, and other ventures.
For instance, the album dynasty earned Kaskade more than $2.4 million, while ‘dance love' gained him $2.8 million. On the other hand, he gains approximately $225,000 per every live show or djing gig.
Besides the above sources, Kaskade pulls at least $400,000 per annum from endorsement deals and interviews.
Kaskade owns a studio worth $ 12 million in San Francisco. He lives in his $2 million old mansion in san Francisco. He has another $4.25 million mansion in Los Angeles.
8. Skrillex-$ 70 Million
Sonny John Moore, professionally known as Skrillex, is an American electronic music DJ, singer, and record producer. He was dubbed the stage name ‘Skrillex' after releasing his debut single, ‘my Name is Skrillex, in June 2010.
The DJ has a net worth of close to $70 million.
According to celebrity net worth, most of his earnings come from his excellent performance in the music industry. For instance, sources indicate that he can make more than $20 million annually from tours and licensing.
Examples of his debut albums include ‘Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites,’ ‘Bangarang,’ ‘Recess,’ etc.
In addition, Skrillex earns fortunes from recording music for other artists, including Lady Gaga, Diplo, Justin Bieber, and the like.
Regarding real estate holdings, Sonny owns a massive mansion that he has put up on his 1.11 acres of land worth $6 million in Malibu. The 12,000 square foot mansion features six bathrooms, a gym, a movie theatre, and ten other amenities. He had listed the house for sale at $25 million.
Besides real estate property, Skrillex owns expensive cars like Porsche Panamera, Audi A4, Range Rover, and an Aston Martin.
His awards include:
- Three Grammy awards for best dance recording in 2012, 2013 and 2016
- Three Grammy awards for best electronica album in 2012, 2013 and 2016
7. Alex Pall-$ 80 Million
Alex Pall is an American Dj, artist, and musician. He is popularly known for being a member of chainsmokers, a duo group for djing and record production with Alex Taggart.
He boasts a net worth of approximately $80 million, hence being one of the wealthy DJ’s in the world.
According to sources, Alex has amassed a significant percentage of his wealth from music earnings as a duo.
For instance, chainsmokers gained $ 38 million between June 2016 and June 2017.
They further gained $45 million between June 2017 and June 2018.
Their debut albums during the period included, ‘memories…Do Not Open,' which charted at no 1 in the US and Canada, No 2 in Norway and Belgium, No 3 in Sweden and UK and no 4 in New Zealand and Australia.
In the following years, the duo raised:
- $46 million between June 2018 and June 2019
- $70 million between 2019 and 2020
This brings their total earnings close to $100 million each.
Besides the music earnings, sources indicate that Alex makes additional income from brand endorsements, solo performances, and brand promotions.
Though he seems to be making more, sources indicate that he has a net worth of approximately $80 million. Perhaps, the Dj is a spendthrift.
Alex has won multiple awards, including a grammy award, seven billboard music awards, two American music awards, and nine iheart radio music awards, making him one of the best DJs in the world.
6. Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo Net Worth-$ 90 million
Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo is a french Dj, musician, composer, and producer. He rose to fame after being part of the legendary french band Daft punk, which he had created with his childhood friend, Thomas Bangalter.
He has a net worth of close to $90 million which he has accumulated from royalties, live performances, and tours while still in the Daft punk.
Examples of their hit albums include ‘homework,' ‘5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem,’ (interstellar 5555), and ‘random access memories' that rated no 1 in the billboard 100.
After the duo broke up in 2021, very little is known about Guy-Manuel's music electronic music activities and earnings.
Besides his activities with Thomas Bangalter, Guy-Manuel has earned handsomely from Crydamoure records, a label he had co-owned with Eric Chedeville.
According to sources, Guy-Manuel's net worth was $80 million in 2017. His estimated earnings since 2017 include the following:
2018 – $2 million
2019 – $3 million
2020 – $2 million
2021 – $ 3 million
The above earnings make Guy-Manuel worth $90 million, equivalent to Thomas Bangalter's, making them some of the wealthiest DJs in the world.
5. Steve Aoki-$ 120 Million
Steve Aoki is an American DJ, electro-house musician, record producer, entertainer, and the founder of Dim Mak Records. He boasts a net worth of approximately $120 million.
According to sources, Aoki has amassed a significant percentage of his wealth from royalties. For instance, he has pulled in more than $100 million from the sale of singles and composing singles for other artists.
Additionally, Aoki has around $50 million from DJ gigs and makes about $30 to $40 million per year from his music tours. This is not forgetting the earnings from his company-DiM, MAK RECORDS.
Besides his music earnings, Aoki owns a mansion worth $12 million in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, Nevada, where he lived with his wife before they divorced. He holds a good art collection, including Banksy and Damien Hirst's pieces.
Steve hasn't invested in music and real estate alone. He also owns shares in private companies like the Vision Wear Clothing Company, Space-X, Uber, And E-Sports Team Rogue, where he earns an awesome income.
He spends a considerable amount of his earnings on charitable works. For instance, he came up with the Aoki foundation, which supports the research on the brain. The foundation also supports people with disabilities and animal rights and provides disaster relief.
4. David Guetta-$ 150 Million
Having sold more than 65 million singles and over 10 million albums, David Guetta is undoubtedly one of the richest DJ's in the world. This french DJ and house producer boast a net worth of close to 150 million.
As mentioned above, he has amassed his wealth from selling hit singles like the ‘sexy bitch,’ ‘titanium,’ ‘memories,’ ‘getting over you,’ ‘when love takes over,’ etc., and albums.
Examples of his top-selling albums include “Just a Little More Love,” “Guetta Blaster,” “Pop Life,” and “One Love.” “Nothing but the Beat,” etc.
Sources have it that he rakes in more than $30 million from music sales per year.
The music earnings aside, Guetta owns a 3-bedroom condo worth $9.5 million in Miami. It features three oceanfront swimming pools, a gym, a spa, and beautiful gardens. Guetta uses the building as his vacation home.
Though the DJ doesn't love wasting his wealth on drugs, he is said to be very thrifty when it comes to cars and wearables. Don't be surprised to see him driving his supercar blondie or wearing Nialaya jewelry.
3. Dj Tiesto-$ 170 Million
Tiesto, aka Tijs Michiel Verwest, is a Dutch DJ, film score composer, electronic musician, and record producer. He boasts a net worth of close to $170 million.
In his career, Tiesto has released up to 7 albums. His famous albums include “just be,” 2004 and “elements of life,” 2007, both of which debuted at No 1 on the Netherlands billboard charts,
He earns an average of $40 million annually from album proceeds, touring, licensing, and merchandise.
Besides the above sources, Tiesto earns a considerable income for djing in Ibiza and his Las Vegas residency.
Additionally, Tiesto has earned incredible income from endorsement deals with brands like Skoda, 7UP, Reebok, and Audiofly.
Regarding properties, Tiesta owns a townhouse without a swimming pool in Miami. He drives a red Mercedes G-Wagon, bright red Rolls Royce Wraith, and Aston Martin DB9. he also owns a Skoda Citigo worth $19,000.
He owns multiple awards, including:
- Nine WMC Awards Miami
- Three ID&T Dutch DJ Awards
- Three 3 FM Awards
- Six TMF Awards Holland
- Seven TMF Awards Belgium
- MTV Europe Music Awards
- World Music Awards
- Gold Sales Awards
- And DJ Awards, among others.
These awards increased his popularity significantly.
2. Gianluca Vacchi-$ 200 Million
Gianluca Vacchi is an Italian DJ, entrepreneur, media personality, and author. He boasts a net worth of approximately $200 million.
Vacchi has earned a significant percentage of his wealth from his 50% ownership of the Industrial Macchine Automatiche (IMA) S.p.A, a leading company in manufacturing machines that process and pack products like tea, tobacco, coffee, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
IMA makes a revenue of approximately 1 billion and a $ 100 million profit per year. That means that Vacchi earns around $50 million pre-tax profit per annum as his 50% share.
In 2013, Gianluca quit the business to pursue his hobby-Djing and to entertain his instagram followers. His famous singles include ‘Juenga,’ ‘Lamento,’ ‘Trump-It,’ and ‘Viento.’
When it comes to real estate, Vacchi owns a home worth $24.5 million on Sunset Island, Miami beach.
Sources say that he had bought the $ 24.5 million home from Valerio Morabito, a fellow Italian and a real estate developer to whom he had sold his Miami apartment for $7.7 million in 2020.
At the time of this writing, his earnings from DJing and business performances combined with his real estate properties give a net worth of close to $200 million.
He spends his wealth on luxurious cars, private jets, and exotic vacations.
1. Calvin Harris-$ 300 Million
Adam Richard Wiles, popularly known as Calvin Harris, is a Scottish DJ, singer, record producer, and songwriter. He has a net worth of approximately $300 million.
Harris became interested in electronic dance music in his teens, which caused him to work in the local supermarkets and fish processing plant to buy his first DJ gear.
His first and second albums contained singles like, ‘the girls' and ‘im not alone,' respectively, which attracted his local popularity. However, it remained less popular internationally until he released his 3rd album, '18 months.'
With a new level of international fame, Harris continued to make hit albums like ‘the motion,' ‘this is what you came,' etc., earning him fame and considerable wealth through live performances, royalties, and awards.
According to celebrity net worth, Harris earns between $30 and $ 40 million per year from tours and royalties.
Over his career, Harris has won awards like 18 Brit award nominations, the Ivor Novello award, and five Grammy nominations.
Besides the music earnings, Calvin owns a mansion worth $25 million in Beverly Hills, a vacant property worth $ 14 million in Bel-Air, and other unmentioned properties.
At the time of this writing, his cumulative earnings and real estate property give an approximate net worth of $ 300 million.
Summary
This marks the end of our list of the 12 wealthy DJ's in the world. As you can see, most of the best DJ's in the world earn handsomely from what was once a hobby. Below is a recap of the 12 richest disk jockeys in the world, just in case you missed any.
12. Deadmau5-$ 50 Million
11. Armin Van Buuren-$ 55 Million
10. Afrojack-$ 60 Million
9. Kaskade-$ 60 Million
8. Skrillex-$ 70 Million
7. Alex Pall-$ 80 Million
6. Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo Net Worth-$90 million
5. Steve Aoki-$ 120 Million
4. David Guetta-$ 150 Million
3. Dj Tiesto-$170 Million
2. Gianluca Vacchi-$ 200 Million
1. Calvin Harris-$ 300 Million
