6 Top-Earning Deceased Music Artists

The music community is remembering the 20-year anniversary today of one of the low points in rap history.

On March 9, 1997, Christopher Wallace, also known as The Notorious B.I.G., was murdered by an unknown drive-by shooter. Wallace’s murder is assumed to be part of the violent East Coast-West Coast hip hop feud, though the fact that it remains unsolved has spawned countless conspiracy theories among his fans.

Wallace’s album “Life After Death” was released 16 days after his murder and achieved the Recording Industry Association of America's diamond status in 2000.

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Two other posthumous albums have been huge hits as well. “Born Again” was certified double platinum and “Duets: The Final Chapter” also reached platinum status.

Today, Wallace’s mother Voletta leverages the Notorious B.I.G.’s enduring popularity to promote reading over violence via the Christoper Wallace Memorial Foundation.

To this day, Wallace’s albums remain some of the top sellers among deceased artists.

Here’s a look at the top-earning deceased musical artists of 2016, as ranked by Forbes:

• 6. David Bowie: $10.5 million. Died Jan. 10, 2016.
• 5. John Lennon: $12 million. Died Dec. 8, 1980.
• 4. Bob Marley: $21 million. Died May 11, 1981.
• 3. Prince: $25 million. Died April 21, 2016.
• 2. Elvis Presley: $27 million. Died Aug. 16, 1977.
• 1. Michael Jackson: $825 million. Died June 25, 2009.

Image: Chris Drumm, Flickr