Diddy tops Forbes’ annual list of highest-paid musicians

PHOENIX — He may go by several different names, but there is one adjective that certainly applies to Sean Combs, aka Diddy — wealthy.

The rapper and clothing icon topped Forbes‘ annual list of the highest-paid musicians after earning an estimated $130 million this year.

“I’m the average person,” Diddy told Forbes earlier this year. “I started looking at business at the age of 12, [from] delivering newspapers to working in gas station bathrooms, or even doing things like being a background dancer or a stylist. Whatever I could do to get close to the industry.”

The financial magazine said Diddy’s massive income came from a tour, a new deal for his Ciroc vodka and the sale of one-third of his Sean John clothing line.

Diddy was followed by Beyonce and Drake on this year’s list. You can check out the full top 10 in the slideshow below.

The Forbes list proved once again that concert tours are cash cows for musicians. Of the top 25 on the list, just two — Taylor Swift and Jay Z — did not play a big tour.

Last year’s winner, Swift, came in at No. 17 on the most recent list. She earned $44 million and did not go on tour.