Forbes Highest Paid Musicians 2012: Dr. Dre tops the list with $100 million

Dr. Dre has topped a Forbes list of the 25 highest-paid musicians in 2012.

Dr. Dre, 47, became one of the leading names in rap in the early 1990s with N.W.A. and has worked with artists including Eminem and Snoop Dogg.

The producer’s headphones business, Beats by Dre, helped him make $100 million in pre-tax earnings, according to Forbes.

The top 10 also included Take That at number five.

The group, who reformed in 2005, made $69 million earned from an eight-date tour at London’s Wembley Stadium in June and July 2011.

That also became the highest-grossing single stadium tour to date.

Last year’s highest-paid musicians, U2, finished in fourth place this year with combined earnings of $78 million from their three-year 360 tour.

Forbes puts its annual highest-paid musicians list together by estimating artists’ earnings from music sales, live shows, endorsements and merchandising.

Forbes World’s Highest Paid Musicians 2012:

1. Dr. Dre – $100 million

2. Roger Waters – $88 million

3. Elton John – $80 million

4. U2 – $78 million

5. Take That – $69 million

6. Bon Jovi – $60 million

7. Britney Spears – $58 million

8= Paul McCartney – $57 million

8= Taylor Swift – $57 million

10= Justin Bieber – $55 million

10= Toby Keith – $55 million

12. Rihanna – $53 million

13. Lady Gaga – $52 million

14. Foo Fighters – $47 million

15= Diddy – $45 million

15= Katy Perry – $45 million

17. Kenny Chesney $44 million

18. Jay-Z – $40 million

19. Red Hot Chili Peppers – $39 million

20. Beyonce – $38 million

21. Coldplay – $37 million

22= Adele – $35 million

22= Kanye West – $35 million

24. Michael Buble – $34 million

25. Sade – $33 million