Quite a bit of cash for hitting go on a playlist.

Jokes, people, because if you want to top the DJ game you have to work pretty damn hard.

At least that hard work pays off, and the world’s highest paid DJ for the period between June 1, 2017, and May 31, 2018, made a whopping $48 million (R637 million).

For the sixth year running Calvin Harris topped the list, thanks in large part to his residency in Las Vegas.

He also brought in seven-figure paydays for headlining festival performances from Japan to Croatia, in addition to standout singles like “One Kiss” with Dua Lipa.

Can’t say I’m all that impressed with second place, but here’s Forbes with the full top 10:

• Calvin Harris – $48 Million
• The Chainsmokers – $45.5 Million
• Tiësto – $33 Million
• Steve Aoki – $28 Million
• Marshmello – $23 Million
• Zedd – $22 Million
• Diplo – $20 Million
• David Guetta – $15 Million
• Kaskade – $13.5 Million
• Martin Garrix – $13 Million

The Chainsmokers – a sad day for music.

That’s them above, in case you were wondering. I probably could have put a picture of any two white guys, and you wouldn’t have known the difference

I know those DJ earnings are huge, but they actually point to a slight decline in bringing home the bacon:

All in all, the top 10’s $260 million haul fell a bit short of last year’s $298 million, partly due to the maturation — and, some would say, plateauing — of the live electronic music market. Other factors, such as Skrillex’s decision to have a quiet year by his standards after earning $30 million in 2017, impacted the total tally.

Yeah, thanks Skrillex.

Told you electronic music was dying a slow death.

[source:forbes]