Christopher Breaux, most famously known as Frank Ocean is a singer, songwriter, and rapper from Long Beach, California. His debut studio album Channel Orange (2012) was well-received, reaching #1 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart (and #2 on the Billboard 200). It also did well in the international markets, reaching #2 in Denmark and #3 in Canada. His most popular singles include “Novacane”, “Thinkin’ Bout You”, and “Pyramids.”
Ocean has written for some of the biggest names in the business including, Beyonce, Nas, John Legend, Justin Bieber, and Brandy.
$500 million
Selling more than 300 million records, Elton John is one of the best-selling music artists in the world. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits. His single "Candle in the Wind 1997", in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, has sold over 33 million copies around the world and is the best-selling single in history.. He has also composed music, produced records, and occasionally acted in some films.
He learned to play piano early on, and formed Bluesology. In 1967, John met his songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, after they had both answered an ad looking for writers. For years they wrote songs for other artists. His debut album, Empty Sky, was released in 1969, and after that, his first hit single "Your Song" quickly reached the top ten. After decades of success, John has also gone on to have success in musical films and theatre, composing the music for The Lion King, Aida and Billy Elliot the Musical.
$65 million
With a net worth of $65 million, Carly Simon is not only exceptionally talented, she's incredibly wealthy. Known around the world as a very successful musician, singer/songwriter, and children's author, Carly Simon is New York-native that has a career spanning four decades. After dropping out of the prestigious Sarah Lawrence College to become a full-time musician, Simon wrote a number of hit songs in the 1970s.
With 13 of her songs becoming Top 40 hits, it's no wonder Simon was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994, and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004. Her most famous songs include "You Belong To Me", "You're So Vain", "Nobody Does It Better", and the famous "Mockingbird", a duet she performed with then-husband, James Taylor. Carly Simon became the first performer ever to win a Golden Globe, a Grammy and an Academy Award for one song written and performed by an artist, with the famous "Let the River Run". It was the featured song for the famous film, "Working Girl".
$700 million
Best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of rock band U2, is the famous Bono. During U2's first couple of years, Bono's lyrics gave to the group's rebellious and spiritual tone. As the band grew, his lyrics became more inspired by personal experiences. As a member of U2, he has received 22 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Outside of U2, he has also recorded with numerous artists. He’s collaborated with U2 bandmate the Edge on many projects, including: songs for Roy Orbison and Tina Turner; the soundtracks to the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark and a London stage adaptation of A Clockwork Orange. Entertainment aside, he is also the Managing Director and a Managing Partner of the firm Elevation Partners, which as a private equity, has invested in many companies.
$100 Million
James Brown will forever be known for changing the pop songwriting game and also as the father of funk music. During the 60s and early 70s, he practically reinvented song-form itself, as he was a masterful arranger and composer.
Brown also came up with his renowned way of exhorting lyrics, which would eventually become hip-hop and dance music. He had an astonishing net worth of $100 million at the time of his death in 2006. Michael Jackson had been cited on several occasions as crediting Brown as his ultimate musical influence.