The hip-hop mogul earned a reported $110 million thanks largely to selling a 51 percent stake in his Beats headphone company.

The hip-hop mogul earned a reported $110 million thanks largely to selling a 51 percent stake in his Beats headphone company.

Along with catalog sales and payment for performances like his headlining set with Snoop Dogg at the Coachella fest, Dre hauled in $100 million pretax when HTC bought a 51 percent stake in his Beats headphone company last year, according to Forbes. Dre (nee Andre Young) takes the annual money crown from U2, who topped last year's list with $195 million earned, thanks to the band's record-shattering 360 tour. This year, the veteran rockers slip to No. 4, with $78 million over the 12-month period.
STORY: Beats by Dr. Dre Announces Partnership With Trent Reznor, Hints at Mog's Future
This year's list top 5 is rounded out by former Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters, who grossed $88 million this year due largely to his epic The Wall tour; Elton John, whose rigorous touring schedule helped him collect $80 million; and U.K. boy band Take That, whose reunion trek contributed to a $69 million sum.
Other notable on the 2012 Forbes list include 18-year-old Justin Bieber, whose music and merchandise sales totaled $55 million to help him become the youngest artist on the list; Lady Gaga, who slips to No. 13 on this year's list with $52 million earned after clocking in at No. 4 with $90 million last year; and Beyonce, who, with $40 million accrued, out-earned her husband Jay-Z ($38 million) at No. 18.
Dr. Dre's No. 1 ranking comes one month after he was named Forbes' hip-hop cash king in September. Diddy, Jay-Z and Kanye West were the only other hip-hop figures to make this year's overall list.
PHOTOS: Scores That Rock: 10 Musicians Who Crossed Over to Movies
Forbes' Top 25 Highest-Paid Musicians of 2012:
1. Dr. Dre ($110 million)
2. Roger Waters ($88 million)
3. Elton John ($80 million)
4. U2 ($78 million)
5. Take That ($69 million)
6. Bon Jovi ($60 million)
7. Britney Spears ($58 million)
8. Paul McCartney ($57 million)
8. Taylor Swift ($57 million)
10. Justin Bieber ($55 million)
10. Toby Keith ($55 million)
12. Rihanna ($53 million)
13. Lady Gaga ($52 million)
14. Foo Fighters ($47 million)
15. Diddy ($45 million)
15. Katy Perry ($45 million)
17. Kenny Chesney ($44 million)
18. Beyonce ($40 million)
19. Red Hot Chili Peppers ($39 million)
20. Jay-Z ($38 million)
21. Coldplay ($37 million)
22. Adele ($35 million)
22. Kanye West ($35 million)
24. Michael Buble ($34 million)
25. Sade ($33 million)