The 25 highest paid musicians in 2012 revealed

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Dr Dre has topped a list of the highest-grossing musicians this year, despite not releasing an album since 1999.

The rapper has earned $110 million in the past twelve months, largely from his Beats by Dre brand of headphones, even though he sold a 51% stake of the company to HTC in 2011.

The old guard seem to be out in force at the top of the list, with Roger Waters ($88 Million), Elton John ($80 Million) and U2 ($78 Million) all coming in the top 5.

“If you look at the biggest earners, the guys have been doing it for 20 years … what’s happening now is people are really telling their truth,” Kevin Liles, former president of Def Jam Recordings, told Forbes.

Surprise inclusions come in the form of country singers Toby Keith ($55 Million) and Kenny Chesney ($44 Million), who place 10th and 17th respectively, above the likes of Beyoncé ($40 Million), hubby Jay-Z ($38 Million) as well as Adele and Kanye (who both tie at $35 Million).

The list in full is as below:

01. Dr Dre – $110 Million
02. Roger Waters – $88 Million
03. Elton John – $80 Million
04. U2 – $78 Million
05. Take That – $69 Million
06. Bon Jovi – $60 Million
07. Britney Spears – $58 Million
08. Paul McCartney – $57 Million (tie)
08. Taylor Swift – $57 Million (tie)
10. Justin Bieber – $55 Million (tie)
10. Toby Keith – $55 Million (tie)
12. Rihanna – $53 Million
13. Lady GaGa – $52 Million
14. Foo Fighters – $47 Million
15. Diddy – $45 Million (tie)
15. Katy Perry – $45 Million (tie)
17. Kenny Chesney – $44 Million
18. Beyoncé – $40 Million
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $39 Million
20. Jay-Z – $38 Million
21. Coldplay – $37 Million
22. Adele – $35 Million (tie)
22. Kanye West – $35 Million (tie)
24. Michael Bublé – $34 Million
25. Sade – $33 Million