The music industry has long been known as the springboard to a lucrative career and superstardom. Throughout history, many famed musicians have reached millionaire, or even billionaire status - a merited fruit of their endless endeavors. Nowadays, with the ubiquity of music thanks to the presence of various streaming platforms, the revenues of musicians through streaming sales and sponsorships get even higher. Even though every musician had a difficult year of hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they still register as the richest entertainers in the world. As the world is returning to its normal state with music tours back into high gear, let's take a look at the wealthiest musicians in the UK according to The Sunday Times Rich List 2022.

Born on 25 April 1994, Sam Fender is an English singer, widely popular for his high tenor voice and Geordie accent. He rose to fame for combining his traditional American musical with a classic British rock sensibility. His debut album, “Hypersonic Missiles”, released in September 2019 entered the UK Albums Chart at number one. His growing popularity led him to receive the Ivor Novello Award and The Brit Award for Best British Alternative/Rock Act.

The English singer and guitarist George Ezra soared in popularity after the release of his two singles ‘Did You Hear the Rain?’ and ‘Cassy O’. His song ‘Budapest’ topped music charts in the UK and numerous countries. His debut album ‘Wanted on Voyage’ released in June 2014 became an instant hit in the UK and in different countries making it the third-best-selling album of 2014 in the UK.

Born on 7 October 1996, the Scottish singer, Lewis Capaldi is well-known around the world for iconic songs 'Someone You Loved' and 'Grace'. The award-winning artist has had a love for music since a young age and started to sing during a family vacation in France. Lewis Capaldi's song “Someone You Loved" topped the UK Singles Chart and remained for seven weeks. It won't stop there, the iconic single reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and won the 2020 Brit Award for Song of the Year.

Stormzy has become one of the most successful rappers in the UK, amassing multiple accolades for his singles. The British rapper and singer who was born Michael Ebenazeree Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. released his debut album titled ‘Gang Signs & Prayer’, which peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart. One of the rapper’s best-selling singles is "Shut Up" which has become popular and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart after its release.

Olajide Olayinka Williams known as KSIis an English rapper and YouTuber. His debut album was in 2020, which quickly peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart. The 29 years rapper has achieved fourteen top 40 singles on the UK Singles Chart seven of them ending up in the Top 10. KSI’s net worth is £26.4m.

The British pop singer Liam Payne rose to prominence as a member of the boy band One Direction, and similar to other members, he made his solo debut after the group's hiatus. The English singer's first single "Strip That Down" from his debut album peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart as well as certified platinum in the US and UK. Liam Payne has sold more than 18 million singles in three years, making him among the richest young musicians in the United Kingdom.

The 29-year-old singer Niall Horan is a member of the iconic boy band One Direction, formed in 2010 on the British reality television music competition The X Factor. When the group decided to take a break from recording and touring, Niall Horan and the other members pursued a solo career. The Irish singer has since released two albums: “Flicker” and “Heartbreak Weather” which both reached the top three in the UK and several countries.

With her mezzo-soprano vocal range, Dua Lipa has become one of the richest young musicians in the UK. The British pop star of Albanian origin released her first album in 2017, which quickly peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. The pop singer's singles "New Rules", "Be the One", and "IDGAF" peaked at number five in numerous countries. She has also received numerous accolades, including six Brit Awards and three Grammy Awards.

The English girl band Little Mix rose to fame after winning the X Factor UK series. The group that is consisting of Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock released UK number-one singles including "Sweet Melody", "Black Magic", and "Shout Out to My Ex". Among the band’s six albums, five of them have been certified platinum by the BPI.

Welsh singer Tom Jones rose to fame in the 1960s as a solo artist. His most widely recognized songs include It's Not Unusual, Green Green Grass of Home, Delilah, Till, and A Boy From Nowhere. After years of successful tours, Jones became a judge on the BBC musical competition reality show The Voice. He was knighted in 2006 in recognition of his immense contributions to the music industry.

English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams found fame as a member of the pop band Take That from 1990 until his departure in 1995. After leaving Take That, Williams continued his musical career as a solo artist and achieved equal success. Out of his 12 studio albums, only one failed to reach No. 1 in the UK, and six of them reached the top 100 biggest-selling albums in the UK. William's most notable hits through the years include I've Been Expecting You, Swing When You're Winning, Escapology, and Take The Crown.

One of the most influential artists in the world, Eric Clapton honorably ranks second in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. After unsuccessful stints with bands, Clapton launched his solo career in 1970. His glittering career has spawned internationally famous hits that become the inspiration for many modern-time guitarists, such as Tears in Heaven, Change the World, and My Father's Eyes. As of 2022, the 77-year-old musician remains the only person to be inducted three times into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The British singer Harry Styles is one of the members of the world's biggest boy band One Direction who has become a successful solo artist popular for his chart-topping singles and albums. The 29-year-old singer started to embark on a solo career in 2016 when he launched his first single "Sign of the Times". His music, which is a combination of pop, soft rock, and classic rock, is the best-selling music outfit in pop today so it is not surprising that he won a huge variety of Awards.

English musician Roger Taylor is best known as the drummer for the rock band Queen. Regarded as one of the greatest drummers in classic rock music history, Taylor has partnered with various artists throughout his lengthy career, such as Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, Phil Collins, and Bon Jovi, to name a few. Since 1977, Taylor has focused on his solo career and has released six studio albums so far.

The only dancer on this list, Michael Flatley shot to prominence Irish dance shows Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger Live, which have earned him a total of $1 billion. The Irish-American great is credited as a pioneer in reinventing traditional Irish dance by incorporating elements of creative rhythms and upper body movements.

English musician Roger Waters was the co-founder of the legendary rock band Pink Floyd. He gained international fame as the band's lyricist, songwriter, and leading vocalist from 1968 until his departure in 1983. With Pink Floyd, Waters released a string of hit albums, including The Dark Side of the Moon (1973), Wish You Were Here (1975), Animals (1977), The Wall (1979), and The Final Cut (1983).

Born on January 10, 1945, Rod Stewart was a British singer and songwriter who was famous for his soulful and raspy voice. He began gaining attention in the late 1960s and 1970s both as a solo artist and a member of the bluesy rock band Faces. His most iconic works include the landmark album Every Picture Tells a Story, A Nod’s as Good as a Wink…to a Blind Horse, and Never a Dull Moment. At age 77, the veteran singer is still active in his musical career, with his most recent album You’re in My Heart: Rod Stewart with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra released in 2019.

Brian May was most famous as the singer and songwriter of the legendary rock band Queen. From the mid-1970s until the early 1990s, May and his bandmates established themselves as one of the biggest bands in the world. As Queen's songwriter, May was the composer of several hits including We Will Rock You, I Want It All, Fat Bottomed Girls. Flash, Hammer to Fall, and Save Me. His iconic guitar solo in Queen's greatest hit Bohemian Rhapsody was voted into the top 50 Greatest Guitar Solos of all time.

Calvin Harris, whose real name is Adam Richard Wiles, is a famous Scottish DJ and song producer. He first rose to fame with his debut studio album I Created Disco, before establishing himself as one of the world's leading and most influential DJs. Harris' hits over the years include One Kiss, This Is What You Came For, Stay With Me, and Promises.

Probably one of the most famous musicians in recent years, Ed Sheeran is the youngest star to feature on this list. Taking up songwriting at age eleven, the English singer first burst into the public eyes with his ultra-successful debut album titled + in 2011. Since then, Ed has released three more studio albums, all of which garnered critical and commercial success. The talented songwriter has a collection of hits under his belts, such as The A Team, Shape Of You, Lego House, Photograph, and Castle on the Hill. One of the best-selling artists of all time, Ed, who is only 31 years old, has sold more than 150 million records worldwide.

Sir Richard Starkey, or Ringo Starr of the Beatles as we know it, rose to superstardom as the drummer and sometimes lead vocalist of the English band. His freestyle playing technique, which emphasized feel more than skills has been the source of inspiration for contemporary drummers. After the Beatles disbanded in 1970, the now 82-year-old musician launched his solo career and achieved equally substantial success, with famous singles such as It Don't Come Easy, Photograph, Back Off Boogaloo, and You're Sixteen.

Olivia Harrison was the widow of former Beatles legend George Harrison, and Dhani - born on 1 August 1978, is their only son. Following his father's tragic death in 2001, Dhani continued George's musical legacy by releasing the debut album Brainwashed, which as also George's last album. Under mother Olivia's management, Dhani has struck up partnerships with various big names in the music industry over the years, such as Elton John, Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, and Prince. In 2017, the musician released his first solo album - In Parallel.

Mike Jagger couldn't have achieved such tremendous success had it not been for the legendary guitar style of Keith Richards. The pair formed one of the most successful musical partnerships in history, writing most of the Rolling Stones' songs. He was famous for his proficient use of open tunings that gave the Rolling Stones' music a unique touch, as observed in Honkey Tonk Woman, Brown Sugar, and Start Me Up.

Age doesn't seem to be a barrier to musicians' blossoming careers. At 79 years old, English singer Mick Jagger still remains a big name in the music industry. Known as a pioneer in the history of rock and roll, Jagger and the Rolling Stones took the world by storm in the 1970s, with notable albums including Out of Our Heads, Aftermath, and Between the Buttons. Unlike Paul McCartney and the Beatles' 'lovable moptops' image, Jagger and the Rolling Stones marked themselves as rebels with energetic live performances that laid the foundation for contemporary youth culture.

Sting, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, rose to stardom as a member of the new wave rock band Police. Operating from 1977 to 1984, Sting and The Police achieved considerable critical and commercial success. They released five chart-topping albums, winning six Grammy Awards and two Brit Awards. Sting's greatest hit was Every Breath You Take, which still remains the most-played song in radio history. After leaving Police in 1984, the 70-year-old musician continued to enjoy an accomplished solo career, with hits such as Fortress Around Your Heart, Russians, Fragile, and Desert Rose.

British singer and song composer Elton John is one of the most iconic faces of the music industry. Rising to superstardom in the 70s and 80s thanks to his ultra-successful long-term partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin, Sir Elton John has since remained a much-respected and influential figure. Throughout his six-decade career, the Rocket Man singer has sold over 300 million records worldwide and released 31 studio albums, most of which garnered critical and commercial success. His greatest single Candle in the Wind 1997 still remains the world's most-selling chart single of all time, having sold 33 million copies worldwide.

Ranked as the fifth most powerful person in British culture by The Daily Telegraph, Andrew Lloyd Webber is a renowned music composer and the mastermind behind widely popular musicals in history such as Memory from Cats and All I Ask of You from The Phantom of the Opera. The recipient of multiple accolades such as three Grammys, an Academy Award, and 14 Ivor Novello Awards, Webber has amassed tremendous wealth throughout his glittering career. At age 73, Webber remains highly creative, with his most recent musical in 2021 - Cinderella, receiving critical acclaim.

While this name may not ring a bell to the young generation, U2 is undoubtedly one of the greatest boy bands in history. Consisting of four members - Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr., the Irish post-punk and alternative rock band has released 14 studio albums and sold an estimated 150–170 million records worldwide, winning an impressive 22 Grammy Awards. Among their many hit albums, the greatest critical and commercial success was The Joshua Tree (1987). Throughout their decades-span active years, U2's musical style has undergone several reinventions, all of which revolve around social, political, and personal subject matters.

Bon on 18 June 1942, Sir James Paul McCartney is one of the most recognizable faces with profound contributions to the music industry as it is today. Rising to superstardom as lead singer and songwriter of the world-famous four-piece rock band Beatles, McCartney has stunned fans with his natural, self-taught musical abilities. Along with the Beatles, McCartney achieved tremendous critical and commercial success, with super hits including And I Love Her, Yesterday, Hey Jude, and Black Bird, to name a few. At age 80, the veteran is still highly active in tours and engagements.