Photo Credit: NRK P3 / CC by 2.0
From Snoop Dogg to Eminem, we take a look at the musicians who have spent the most money acquiring NFTs, according to a new study.
A recent study from CoinGecko utilized transaction data from OpenSea, SuperRare, and Etherscan to find the most expensive NFTs purchased by celebrities since the beginning of 2021. Of the 50 stars identified in the study, which reportedly bought one or more NFTs, we’ve compiled a list of the musicians who were the single biggest spenders.
Snoop Dogg – Right Click and Save As guy ($7,088,229)
As a surprise to no one, Snoop Dogg is the number one musician and celebrity with the most expensive NFT. His purchase of “Right Click and Save As guy” clocked in at a monumental $7,088,229 (1,600 ETH) at the time of sale. The piece was listed on SuperRare by artist XCOPY and acquired by Snoop in December 2021, where it joined his ever-growing collection of NFTs.
Justin Bieber – BAYC #3001 ($1,301,550)
Pop icon Justin Bieber takes the number two spot for the musician with the most expensive NFT purchase with Bored Ape Yacht Club #3001. The singer acquired the ape for $1,301,550 (500 ETH) on January 29, 2022. After he announced the purchase on Twitter, many users began poking fun, suggesting that he had overpaid for an ape with “common” traits and characteristics. Considering the NFT’s floor price at the time of the sale was 104 ETH, or $270,908, Bieber paid nearly four times more than necessary to add the ape to his collection.
Steve Aoki – Doodle #2238 ($852,056)
DJ and producer Steve Aoki purchased Doodle #2238 for $862.056 (269.69 ETH) on January 7, 2022. Aoki even paused one of his live performances partway through to excitedly announce the purchase and show fans the NFT, designed by Canadian illustrator Scott Martin. Aoki also bought CryptoPunk #6473 for $160,599 (65 ETH) in July 2021, which he sold a few months later for $974,034 (300 ETH). The artist maintains multiple accounts on OpenSea, between which he collects and moves his NFTs. His accounts include SteveAoki, SteveAokiVault, SteveAokixTheUntamedVault, and 29C1EC.
Marshmello – CryptoPunk #8274 ($504,069)
Masked EDM producer Marshmello purchased CryptoPunk #8274 for $504,069 (130 ETH) on October 19, 2021. He also “aped in” back in September 2021, purchasing BAYC #4808 for 75 ETH, which he sold for 150 ETH or $403,371 at the time — around $183k in profit. Marshmello appears to have a few crypto wallets, but his most lucrative NFT collection is under his OpenSea account, itsmarshmello.
Madonna – BAYC #4988 ($466,461)
Pop legend Madonna purchased Bored Ape Yacht Club #4988 for $466,461 (180 ETH) on March 14, 2022. In addition to owning several NFTs, Madonna has her own line of digital art titled “Mother of Creation,” made in collaboration with artist Beeple. Despite drawing controversy for featuring naked computer renderings of Madonna, one of the pieces sold for around $350,000 (170.5 ETH) in May of this year.
Eminem – BAYC #9055 ($453,776)
Marshall Mathers, better known as the rapper Eminem, paid $453,776 (123.45 ETH) for Bored Ape Yacht Club #9055 on December 31, 2021. He purchased the ape — which he selected due to its resemblance to himself — from Twitter user @gee_gazza. The NFT features a white-furred ape wearing a gold jacket and chain with a boxy army hat similar to one owned by the rapper. Eminem has since used the ape in a music video alongside the ape of fellow rapper and NFT enthusiast Snoop Dogg.
“Celebrities buying NFTs are a testament to how NFTs have begun to intertwine with popular mainstream culture,” says CoinGecko COO and co-founder Bobby Ong. “Whether for investment purposes, used as a social signal, or a means to gain access to exclusive communities, the NFT sector has a high growth potential that is still largely untapped today.”