Partyxtraz: Reggae Icon Bob Marley Among Top-Earning Dead Celebs

Forbes.com has released its seventh annual list of 13 Top-Earning Dead Celebrities Monday (October 29) and among the list are a few late black celebrities who still have selling power. The list includes Reggae Icon Bob Marley rank at number 12, earning $7 million which is $1 million more than last year.

The 13 legends in Fobres seventh annual list of the Top-Earning Dead Celebrities grossed a combined $232 million in the past 12 months. Many are instantly recognizable one-name wonders (Elvis, Marilyn, Warhol) who still command attention worldwide, making them marketers' ideal pitchmen.

Although Marley died more than 20 years ago, surviving family members and clever music execs constantly find new ways to keep his music alive--and profitable. His songs have been covered by a diverse assortment of musicians, including hip-hopper Lauryn Hill and classic rocker Eric Clapton, and every year there seems to be a digitally remastered rerelease of an old album or a live show.

The late Tupac Shakur is among the highest earning dead celebrities, coming in at the no. 8 spot, only to the likes of Elvis Presley who took no. 1 and Charlie Brown creator Charles M. Schulz.

Tupac earned a reported $9 million in the last 12 months despite being gone for over 10 years.