On Nov. 28, 2012, Forbes released a report on the 25 highest paid musicians [1] of the year. Ironically enough, four of this year’s top earners were outspoken supporters of the Occupy Wall Street Movement last year. Apparently they didn’t see hypocrisy of being a top earner in an industry while speaking out against other top earners.
Jay-Z, whose personal net worth is currently $475 million [2] according to Celebrity Net Worth, was one of the most outspoken for the OWS movement and sold shirts to the Occupiers without sharing his profits [3]. In Sept. 2012, however, Jay-Z took back his support for OWS in order to promote capitalism. “When you just say that ‘the 1 percent is that,’ that’s not true,” he told The New York Times [4]. “This is free enterprise. This is what America is built on.” He should know all about entrepreneurism and free enterprise, because he is No. 20 on the Forbes list and made $38 million in 2012.
No. 22, rapper Kanye West, showed up to Occupy protest wearing gold chains [5]. His personal net worth is currently $90 million [6], and made $35 million and his music often embraces an over-the-top lavish and luxurious lifestyle.
Pop singer Katy Perry was also on the Forbes list at No. 15, making $45 million for the year. Her personal net worth is currently at $55 million [7]. In Oct. 2011, Perry visited the OWS encampment [8] with then-husband Russell Brand and Russell Simmons while promoting it on her twitter [9]. She Tweeted, “i know my hubby @rustyrockets [10] is there now…still… reppin us both! Tell him to call his wife if you see him! lolz” Again, she made $45 MILLION. LOLZ.
Former lead singer for Pink Floyd Roger Waters made $88 million, getting him the No. 2 spot on the Forbes list. In Nov. 2011, Waters made a YouTube video simply titled “Occupy [11].” In it he promoted the OWS movement, and, ironically, at one point stated, “This country is being run absolutely for the benefit of the richest 1 percent.” His personal net worth is $145 million [12].
No word yet from any of these musicians as to whether they plan to donate any of their wealth to the 99 percent they so heartily supported.