Net worth of hundreds of millions: that’s how rich the greatest DJs are

Nobody likes to be looked in the wallet and DJs are no exception.Nevertheless, we think we can make a reasonable estimate of the wealth of therichest DJs in the world and in the Netherlands. We used various sources forthis, such as the Quote 500 and Forbes.

Time needed for capital

Calvin Harris is the richest DJ in the world with an estimated net worth of300 million euros. The richest Dutch DJ is Tiësto, who has collected about 170million euros in the past twenty-five years.

“What is striking is that the top five is not automatically at the top of theDJ Mag Top 100”, says Marten van Garderen, chief economist at ING. The DJ MagTop 100 is a ranking of DJs compiled by the audience. From 2002 to 2018, aDutch person was very often at the top of the list. “You need time toaccumulate capital. The DJs with a long successful career are the highest,”says Van Garderen.

Calvin Harris and Tiesto

Let’s start with the top five in the world. The number 1, Calvin Harris(Scotland, 1984), is the youngest of the bunch. He released his debut album in2007 and things went fast after that. Harris became a popular DJ within thepop world and earned a lot of money from his regular performances in Las Vegasfor a number of years.

Number 2, Gianlucha Vacchi (Italy, 1967), is a somewhat strange duck. Yes, heis a DJ and earns well worldwide, but he made most of his wealth as abusinessman and in particular as a shareholder of IMA , an Italian packaginggiant.

At number 3 we find our compatriot Tiësto (Breda, 1969), who has beenprominently active in the dance scene since the mid-nineties. “Tiësto hasearned a lot in Las Vegas in the last ten years, just like Calvin Harris”, VanGarderen explains Tiësto’s 170 million euros.

Performances are lucrative

David Guetta (France, 1967) has also been at the top for a long time. LikeCalvin Harris, he is a much sought-after producer within the pop world; heproduced the mega hit I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas. In addition, thenumber 1 DJ of 2020 and 2021 cashed in last year with the sale of his musiccatalog, reportedly for 100 million euros.

Last in the top 5 of richest DJs worldwide is Steve Aoki (United States,1977), who, like Tiësto, founded his own record label in the 1990s. Aokicollaborated extensively with popular acts such as Backstreet Boys and LinkinPark. He amassed much of his fortune through lucrative tours of North America.

“There is a huge demand for top DJs, they can ask a lot for a performance,”says Van Garderen. “In dance, ninety percent of the turnover comes fromperformances. The years 2010 to 2020 in particular were golden years forperforming DJs.”

The Netherlands

This is also reflected in the Dutch figures. Up to and including 2014, theexport value of Dutch dance grew by approximately twenty million euros to avalue of 133 million euros, eventually stabilizing around 150 million euros in2018 and 2019, the last pre-corona year.

And most of it comes from gigs, a whopping 94 percent of sales over the pastdecade were earned behind the turntable.

After the absolute Dutch number 1, Tiësto, we see another successful veteran:Armin van Buuren (Leiden, 1976). The five-time number 1 DJ in the world is co-owner of dance label Armada Music and also earned a lot with his A State OfTrance tours.

Martin Garrix

Number 3 Martin Garrix (Amstelveen, 1996) is by far the youngest among thehigh earners. He scored worldwide pop hits with In The Name Of Love and ScaredTo Be Lonely (with Dua Lipa). “And he takes a smart approach,” explains VanGarderen.

“Garrix has chosen to only do a hundred performances a year. If you makeyourself scarce, you can ask for more.”

Numbers 4 Afrojack (Spijkenisse, 1987) and Ferry Corsten (Rotterdam, 1973)also have an estimated net worth of 26 and 25 million euros respectively. Inaddition to attractive fees for performances, Afrojack collected money as amuch sought-after producer in America in the 2000s; Ferry Corsten made a lotof money in the pre-streaming era with hits in England.