Lil Wayne made this years Billboard's Top 20 "Music Money Makers List." Weezy came in 12th on the list with more than $57 million beating out Mary J Blige and Kanye West. Weezy's album "Tha Carter III" sold almost 3 million copies last year making it the best-selling album of 2008.
The new "Money Makers" list proves that the true money in the music business comes from everything besides selling albums. Each of the 20 acts on the list all toured during 2008, with touring generating most of the revenue. The top money maker, Madonna, had the 50th-best-selling album in the country and ranked 14th on the list of digital track sellers without a ringtone.
1. Madonna: $242,176,466
2. Bon Jovi: $157,177,766
3. Bruce Springsteen: $156,327,964
4. The Police: $109,976,894
5. Celine Dion: $99,171,237
6. Kenny Chesney: $90,823,990
7. Neil Diamond: $82,174,000
8. Rascall Flatts: $63,522,160
9. Jonas Brothers: $62,638,814
10. Coldplay: $62,175,555
11. The Eagles: $61,132,213
12. Lil Wayne: $57,441,334
13. AC/DC: $56,505,296
14. Michael Buble: $50,257,364
15. Miley Cyrus: $48,920,806
16. Taylor Swift: $45,588,730
17. Journey: $44,787,328
18. Billy Joel: $44,581,010
19. Mary J. Blige: $43,472,850
20. Kanye West: $42,552,402
Source: http://www.rapbasement.com/lil-wayne/02 ... -west.html