The island of Ibiza is known worldwide for hosting the world’s top DJs. For years, Ibiza’s nightclubs have been the place where every electronic musician has wanted to play at some point in their career. Some, such as David Guetta and Calvin Harris, are already regulars on the island’s club bills and even have residencies in Ibiza. According to Forbes magazine, the 15 highest-paid DJs in 2019, the year before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic that forced nightlife to come to a standstill, have played in Ibiza.
1) The Chainsmokers – 42.2 million euros
Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall are the members of this American DJ duo. The New Yorkers surpassed in 2019 the income of Calvin Harris, who in 2018 held the position of highest paid with almost 44.5 million euros. The Chainsmokers are regulars at Ushuïa Ibiza nightclub, where they have shared the stage with David Guetta on occasion.
2) Marshmello – 36.7 million euros
At 27 years old, Christopher Comstock, better known as Marshmello, managed to become the second highest paid DJ in the world with 36.7 million euros in 2019. The American almost doubled his income compared to the previous year, when he earned 19.2 million.
3) Calvin Harris – 35.3 million
Adam Richard Wiles is his name and until 2018 he held the title of the highest paid DJ in the world, with almost 44.5 million euros in income. However, a year later his income dropped to 35.3 million and he closed the podium of the highest paid ranking.
4) Steve Aoki – 27.5 million
Pacha, Amnesia and Ushuaïa are the clubs that have seen the American-Japanese DJ play in Ibiza. At 44, Aoki is still a DJ of reference. In 2019, according to Forbes, he earned 27.5 million euros, half a million more than in 2018.
5) Diplo – 22.9 million
Thomas Wesley Pentz or Diplo, as he is artistically known, has DJed in clubs such as Pacha and Hï Ibiza. In 2019 his income reached almost 23 million euros, slightly less than in 2018, when it was 26.1 million.
6) Tiësto – 22 million
Tijs Michiel Verwest, known in the world of electronic music as dj Tiësto, livened up the nights at Privilege or Amnesia for years. At the age of 53, the Dutch DJ is still active and in 2019 he earned 22 million euros. A year earlier, in 2018, he reached 35.7 million.
7) Martin Garrix – 17.4 million euros
The youngest DJ in this ranking is Martin Garrix, who shares nationality with Tiësto and is currently 25 years old. Martijn Gerard Garritsen, his official name, earned 17.4 million euros in 2019 at the age of 23, almost the same as a year earlier.
8) David Guetta – 16.5 million euros
By contrast, Frenchman David Guetta, 54, is the oldest on this list. However, age has never been an impediment for one of the world’s most famous DJs, who continues to play in clubs such as Ushuaïa Ibiza and Hï Ibiza, where he moved after many years at Pacha with his legendary F*** Me I’m Famous party. In 2019 his revenues were 16.5 million euros. In 2018 they reached 22.9 million.
9) Zedd – 15.6 million
The Russian Anton Zaslavski, artistically known as Zedd, shared the stage at Ushuaïa Ibiza with the late Avicii. In 2019 he earned 15.6 million euros compared to 17.4 million euros in 2018.
10) Armin van Buuren – 13.7 million euros
The top 10 is rounded off by Dutch DJ Armin Jozef Jacobus Daniël van Buuren, better known as Armin van Buuren. A regular on Ibiza, where he has played at Ushuaïa Ibiza, Hï Ibiza and Amnesia, he earned 13.7 million euros in 2019.
11) Kaskade – 12.8 million euros.
Pacha, Amnesia and the now defunct Space have hosted sessions by American DJ Ryan Raddon, or Kaskade, his stage name, throughout his career. In 2019, the musician made a revenue of 12.8 million.
12) Skrillex – 11.9 million
Skrillex, whose official name is Sonny John Moore, made 27.5 million euros in 2018. Just one year later, in 2019, it plummeted to 11.9 million. The Los Angeles, California-born DJ has played at Amnesia and Ibiza Rocks.
13) Alesso – 11.4 million
Alessandro Lindblad, or simply Alesso, has taken to the stages of Ushuaïa Ibiza and Pacha to cheer up those attending his sets. In 2019 the Swedish DJ made a revenue of 11.4 million euros.
14) Afrojack – 11 million
Nick van de Wall is known worldwide as Afrojack. This Dutch DJ was one of the must-see DJs at the SuperMartXé party held at Privilege nightclub. In 2019 his income amounted to 11 million euros.
15) Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and DJ Snake – 10.5 million
The ranking is closed by the Belgian brothers Dimitri Thivaios and Michael Thivaios, who form the duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike together with DJ Snake, who earned the same amount in 2019: 10.5 million euros. Both have played at Ushuaïa Ibiza, as well as at Pacha in the case of DJ Snake, where he shared a table with the aforementioned Steve Aoki.
