List of best-selling music artists

The following list of best-selling music artists includes musical artists from the 20th century to the present with claims of 75 million or more record sales worldwide. The sales figures are calculated based on the formula detailed below.

The tables are listed with each artist's claimed sales figure(s) and their total independently certified units and are ranked in descending order by claimed sales. If two or more artists have the same claimed sales, they are then ranked by certified units. The claimed sales figure and the total of certified units (for each country) within the provided sources include sales of albums, singles, compilation-albums, music videos as well as downloads of singles and full-length albums. Sales figures, such as those from SoundScan, which are sometimes published by Billboard magazine, have not been included in the certified units column.

Definitions

Gold and Platinum certifications issued after 2016, especially on singles, are in some cases more than 50% streaming generated. Some acts from the 20th century can also have significant amount of streaming based certifications. The certified units of the newer artists may sometimes be higher than their listed claimed figures. This is because Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and almost all other certifying bodies count streaming towards Gold and Platinum thresholds required for certification.^[1][2][3] For this reason, some singles and even albums get over-certified by thousands of units. One such example is Rihanna's single "We Found Love", which was certified 9× Platinum by the RIAA in 2016,^[4] but had sold only 5.4 million downloads at the time of the certification.^[5]

The certified units for some artists/bands who have multi-disc albums can be higher than their listed claimed figures due to the RIAA counting each unit within a set as one unit toward certification. The certified units also can be inflated by the redundancy of certifications, because each of tracks downloads and streams contributed to the certifications of both of the single and the respective album. The RIAA counts 10 downloads of individual track as well as 1,500 audio/video streams as an equivalent to one unit of album, including those from singles released prior to the album release.^[6] Theoretically, if one song were streamed 1.5 billion times on YouTube, the single would receive Diamond and the whole album could be certified Platinum,^[7] thus creating a combined total of 11 million certified units without any sales. Kanye West's album The Life of Pablo achieved Platinum without selling a single copy and was only available for streaming.^[8]

Issued certifications for songs which have been recorded by multiple artists including featured artists are added to each artist's total amount of certified units, as all the artists would have played a significant part in a song. For example, "This Is What You Came For" include Rihanna and Calvin Harris, while "Where Them Girls At" include Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj, so the certifications issued for these songs are added to the total amount of certified units for all involved artists. However, the certifications issued for songs that have been recorded by four or more artists are not included as the artists involved would have played minor roles, examples of such songs are Kanye West's "Monster" and "All Day".^[a]

Standards

• The figures of total certified units within the tables below are based on certified units of albums, singles (including digital downloads) and videos.^[9]
• The country order within the tables is based on the retail value they generate: the largest market is listed at the top and smallest at the bottom.^[10]
• The column for certified sales includes markets, the databases of which contain certifications representing figures of 100,000 and more.

Artists by reputed sales

250 million or more records

• 
  The Beatles
• 
  Michael Jackson
• 
  Elvis Presley
• 
  Elton John
• 
  Queen
• 
  Madonna
• 
  Led Zeppelin

Artist	Country	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)[b]	Claimed sales
The Beatles	United Kingdom	1960–1970[11]	1962[11]	Rock / pop[11]	295.9 million US: 217.25 million[12] JPN: 4.95 million[b][13] GER: 8 million[b][14] UK: 35.155 million[b][15] FRA: 4.09 million[b][16][17] CAN: 14.455 million[b][18] AUS: 3.06 million[b][19][20] BRA: 670,000[b][21] NLD: 345,000[b][22] ITA: 640,000[b][23] SPA: 1.785 million[b][24][25] SWE: 485,000[b][26] NOR: 200,000[b][27] DEN: 610,000[b][28][29][30] SWI: 350,000[b][31] ARG: 1.926 million[b][32][33][34] BEL: 440,000[b][35][36] AUT: 500,000[b][37] POL: 175,000[b][38] FIN: 118,048[b][39] NZ: 660,000[b][40][41] POR: 135,000[b][42]	600 million[43][44] 500 million[45][46]
Michael Jackson	United States	1964–2009[47]	1971[47]	Pop / rock / dance / soul / R&B[47]	296.2 million US: 177.3 million[12] JPN: 4.65 million[b][13][48] GER: 14.525 million[14] UK: 46.18 million[15] FRA: 11.7 million[16][17][49] CAN: 10.35 million[18] AUS: 7.72 million[b][19][20][50][51][52] BRA: 460,000[b][21] NLD: 2.2 million[22] ITA: 1.8 million[b][23] SPA: 2.795 million[b][24][25][53][54][55] SWE: 1.33 million[b][26][56] NOR: 275,000[b][27][57] DEN: 3.109 million[b][58][59][30] SWI: 1.01 million[b][31][57] MEX: 5.69 million[b][60] ARG: 664,000[b][32][33][34] BEL: 695,000[b][35][36] AUT: 1.197 million[b][37] POL: 530,000[b][38] FIN: 384,127[39] NZ: 2.03 million[40][41] POR: 130,000[b][42][57][61][62][63]	500 million[64][65][45] 400 million[66]
Elvis Presley	United States	1953–1977[67]	1956[67]	Rock and roll / pop / gospel / country[67]	235.4 million US: 199.65 million[12] JPN: 300,000[b][13] GER: 1.8 million[b][14] UK: 23.215 million[b][15] FRA: 2.59 million[b][16][17] CAN: 2.925 million[b][18] AUS: 1.867 million[b][19][68] BRA: 125,000[b][21] NLD: 555,000[b][22] ITA: 285,000[b][23] SPA: 300,000[b][24][53][54] SWE: 380,000[b][26] NOR: 130,000[b][27] DEN: 210,000[b][69][70][71] SWI: 185,000[b][31] MEX: 105,000[b][60] ARG: 110,000[b][32] BEL: 115,000[b][35][36] AUT: 205,000[b][37] FIN: 213,945[b][39] NZ: 117,500[b][40][41] POR: 100,000[b][72][57]	500 million[73]
Elton John	United Kingdom	1962–present[74]	1970[74]	Pop / rock[74]	216.8 million US: 140.55 million[12] JPN: 1.1 million[b][13] GER: 8.1 million[b][14] UK: 40.605 million[b][15] FRA: 5.158 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 6.295 million[b][18] AUS: 4.697 million[b][19][75] BRA: 855,000[b][21] NLD: 975,000[22] ITA: 300,000[b][23] SPA: 1.38 million[b][24][25][54][55] SWE: 980,000[b][26][56] NOR: 400,000[b][27] DEN: 870,000[b][70][59][76][30] SWI: 1.333 million[b][31] MEX: 450,000[b][60] ARG: 128,000[32][33] BEL: 870,000[b][35][36][77] AUT: 915,000[b][37][57] POL: 445,000[b][38][77] FIN: 163,481[39] NZ: 420,000[b][40][41]	300 million[78][79] 250 million[80][81]
Queen	United Kingdom	1971–present[82]	1973[82]	Rock[82]	201.1 million US: 108.7 million[12] JPN: 3.8 million[b][13][48][83] GER: 12.525 million[b][14] UK: 49.21 million[b][15] FRA: 5.22 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 2.47 million[b][18] AUS: 3.792 million[b][19][20] BRA: 1.27 million[b][21] NLD: 1.99 million[b][22] ITA: 1.87 million[b][23] SPA: 3.3 million[b][24][25][53][54] SWE: 190,000[b][26] NOR: 150,000[b][27] DEN: 1.17 million[30] SWI: 1.256 million[b][31] ARG: 1.08 million[b][32][33] BEL: 190,000[b][35][36] AUT: 900,000[b][37] POL: 940,000[b][38] FIN: 366,152[39] NZ: 515,000[b][40][41] POR: 222,000[b][42][84]	300 million[85][86] 250 million[87]
Madonna	United States	1979–present[88]	1982[88]	Pop / dance / electronica[88]	192.9 million US: 91.675 million[12] JPN: 6.45 million[b][13][48] GER: 12.95 million[14][89] UK: 33.99 million[15] FRA: 13.105 million[16][17][49] CAN: 6.03 million[18] AUS: 5.597 million[b][19][90] BRA: 4.360 million[b][21] NLD: 1.745 million[22] ITA: 3.700 million[b][23][77][57] SPA: 3.220 million[24][25][53][54][55] SWE: 1.07 million[b][26][56] NOR: 280,000[b][27][57] DEN: 947,000[b][58][59][91][30][92][93] SWI: 1.28 million[b][31][57] MEX: 550,000[b][60] ARG: 2.102 million[32][33][94] BEL: 1.055 million[b][35][36][77] AUT: 645,000[b][37][57] POL: 690,000[b][38] FIN: 665,267[39] NZ: 685,000[40][41] POR: 152,000[b][72][42][57][63]	300 million[95][96] 250 million[97]
Led Zeppelin	United Kingdom	1968–1980[98]	1969[98]	Hard rock / blues rock / folk rock[98]	143.1 million US: 115.1 million[12] JPN: 400,000[b][13] GER: 3.775 million[b][14] UK: 11.43 million[b][15] FRA: 2.31 million[b][16][17][99] CAN: 4.71 million[18] AUS: 2.8 million[b][19][100][101] BRA: 970,000[b][21] ITA: 535,000[b][23] SPA: 450,000[b][25][54][55] SWI: 211,000[b][31] ARG: 360,000[b][32] POL: 120,000[b][38]	300 million[102][103] 200 million[104][105]
Rihanna	Barbados	2003–present[106]	2005[106]	R&B / pop / dance / hip-hop[106]	411.2 million US: 288.55 million[12] JPN: 1.4 million[13][48] GER: 12.425 million[14] UK: 61.7 million[15] FRA: 2.316 million[17] CAN: 5.52 million[18] AUS: 10.2 million[19] BRA: 15.512 million[21] ITA: 2.075 million[b][23] SPA: 1.800 million[24] SWE: 2.6 million[26][56] DEN: 2.796 million[58][59][30][91][76][107][108][29] SWI: 860,000[31] MEX: 860,000[60] BEL: 800,000[36] AUT: 165,000[37] POL: 820,000[38] IRE: 240,000[109] NZ: 712,500[40][41] POR: 127,500[b][42][84]	250 million[110][111] 230 million[112]
Pink Floyd	United Kingdom	1965–1996, 2005, 2012–2014[113][114]	1967[113]	Progressive rock / psychedelic rock[113]	124.8 million US: 78 million[12] JPN: 100,000[b][115] GER: 7.5 million[b][14] UK: 15.11 million[b][15] FRA: 6.26 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 6.79 million[b][18] AUS: 3.242 million[b][19][20] BRA: 515,000[b][21] NLD: 435,000[b][22] ITA: 1.81 million[b][23] SPA: 625,000[b][24][25][53][55] SWE: 220,000[b][26][56] NOR: 165,000[b][27][116][57] DEN: 290,000[b][58][30] SWI: 390,000[b][31] MEX: 210,000[b][60][117] ARG: 582,000[b][32][33] BEL: 165,000[b][35][36] AUT: 460,000[b][37] POL: 770,000[b][38] NZ: 787,500[b][40][41] POR: 194,500[b][72][42][57][63]	250 million[118][119] 200 million[120]

200 million to 249 million records

• 
  Eminem
• 
  Mariah Carey
• 
  Whitney Houston
• 
  Taylor Swift
• 
  Beyoncé
• 
  Ed Sheeran
• 
  AC/DC

Artist	Country	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)[b]	Claimed sales
Eminem	United States	1996–present[121]	1999[121]	Hip-hop[121]	345.8 million US: 242.7 million[12] JPN: 2.9 million[13][48] GER: 12.625 million[14] UK: 54.425 million[15] FRA: 3.665 million[17] CAN: 4.57 million[18] AUS: 10.307 million[19] BRA: 4.4 million[21] NLD: 250,000[22] ITA: 1.35 million[b][23] SPA: 1.18 million[24][55] SWE: 970,000[26][56] NOR: 345,000[27][116] DEN: 2.606 million[b][58][30] SWI: 790,000[31] MEX: 365,000[60] BEL: 515,000[36] AUT: 377,500[37] POL: 310,000[38] FIN: 130,351[39] IRE: 270,000[b][109] NZ: 712,500[40][41] POR: 105,000[b][42][84]	220 million[122]
Mariah Carey	United States	1988–present[123]	1990[123]	R&B / pop / soul / hip-hop[123]	236 million US: 169.8 million[12] JPN: 14.5 million[b][13][48][124] GER: 5 million[14] UK: 21.1 million[15] FRA: 5.170 million[16][17][49] CAN: 5.570 million[18] AUS: 6.170 million[b][19][125] BRA: 2.155 million[21] NLD: 1.425 million[22] ITA: 700,000[b][23] SPA: 1.320 million[24][25][54][55] SWE: 425,000[26] NOR: 575,000[b][27][116] DEN: 740,000[30][126] SWI: 515,000[31] BEL: 325,000[b][35][36] AUT: 200,000[37] POL: 100,000[b][38] NZ: 662,500[b][40]	220 million[127][128]
Whitney Houston	United States	1977–2012[129]	1984[129]	R&B / soul / pop / dance-pop / gospel[129]	179.270 million US: 124.875 million[12] JPN: 4.3 million[b][13][130] GER: 7 million[b][14] UK: 24.545 million[15] FRA: 3.625 million[16][17][49] CAN: 3.75 million[18] AUS: 2.315 million[b][19][20][131] BRA: 1.065 million[b][21] NLD: 780,000[22] ITA: 380,000[b][23] SPA: 1.26 million[24][25][53][54] SWE: 1.035 million[b][26] NOR: 480,000[b][27][77][57] DEN: 655,000[59][30][132] SWI: 915,000[b][31][132] ARG: 240,000[32] BEL: 480,000[b][35][36][77] AUT: 565,000[b][37] POL: 240,000[b][38] FIN: 247,222[39] NZ: 760,000[40]	220 million[133][134]
Taylor Swift	United States	2006–present[135]	2006[135]	Pop / country / rock / folk / alternative[136]	300.4 million US: 196 million[12] JPN: 3.3 million[13][48] GER: 7.425 million[14] UK: 66.3 million[15] FRA: 649,000[17] CAN: 7.631 million[18] AUS: 31.205 million[19] BRA: 12.47 million[21] ITA: 2.095 million[b][23] SPA: 2.35 million[24] SWE: 320,000[56] NOR: 1.2 million[27][116] DEN: 2.505 million[30] MEX: 3.13 million[60] BEL: 320,000[36] AUT: 152,000[37] POL: 830,000[38] NZ: 5.782,500 million[40][41] POR: 424,000[b][42][84]	200 million[137] 170 million[138]
Beyoncé	United States	1997–present[139]	2002[139][140]	R&B / pop / hip-hop[139]	311.385 million US: 226.08 million[12] JPN: 1.7 million[13][48] GER: 5.51 million[14] UK: 39.53 million[15] FRA: 2.110 million[17][99] CAN: 8.45 million[18] AUS: 9.44 million[19] BRA: 8.74 million[21] NLD: 135,000[22] ITA: 1.42 million[b][23] SPA: 2.010 million[b][24][141] SWE: 435,000[26][56] NOR: 235,000[27][116] DEN: 1.12 million [59][30][91][29][142][143] SWI: 220,000[31] MEX: 280,000[60] BEL: 240,000[36] POL: 370,000[38] NZ: 2.15 million[40][41]	200 million[144] 160 million[145]
Ed Sheeran	United Kingdom	2004–present[146]	2011[146]	Pop / folk pop[146]	288 million US: 129 million[12] JPN: 350,000[13][48] GER: 13.35 million[14] UK: 92.12 million[15] FRA: 4.156 million[17] CAN: 12.64 million[18] AUS: 13.865 million[19] BRA: 720,000[21] NLD: 370,000[22] ITA: 4.855 million[23] SPA: 1.34 million[24] SWE: 1.68 million[56] NOR: 395,000[116] DEN: 6.145 million[30] SWI: 675,000[31] MEX: 270,000[60] BEL: 860,000[36] AUT: 865,000[37] POL: 2.32 million[38] NZ: 1.785 million[40] POR: 330,000[84]	200 million[147]
AC/DC	Australia	1973–present[148]	1975[148]	Hard rock / blues rock / rock and roll[148]	188.8 million US: 128.2 million[12] GER: 14,05 million[b][14] UK: 10.565 million[15] FRA: 4.38 million[16][17] CAN: 9.28 million[b][18] AUS: 8.65 million[b][19] BRA: 1 million[b][21] ITA: 1.72 million[b][23] SPA: 2.265 million[b][24][25][53][54][55] SWE: 350,000[b][26][56] DEN: 780,000[59][30][149] SWI: 914,000[b][31] MEX: 1.59 million[b][60] ARG: 594,000[b][32][33] BEL: 100,000[b][36] AUT: 395,000[b][37] POL: 115,000[b][38] FIN: 321,169[39] NZ: 1,33 million[b][40][41] POR: 116,500[b][42][84]	200 million[150]
Eagles	United States	1971–1980, 1994–present[151]	1972[151]	Rock[151]	153.7 million US: 127.9 million[12] JPN: 600,000[b][13] GER: 925,000[b][14] UK: 11.585 million[b][15] FRA: 2.04 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 4.2 million[b][18] AUS: 4.025 million[b][19][152] NLD: 540,000[b][22] ITA: 200,000[b][23] SPA: 620,000[b][24][25] SWE: 140,000[b][26] DEN: 240,000[b][59][30] SWI: 290,000[b][31] FIN: 124,749[39] NZ: 367,500[b][40][41]	200 million[153]
Celine Dion	Canada	1981–present[154]	1981[154]	Pop / chanson / R&B / rock[154]	148.9 million US: 67.05 million[12] JPN: 7.15 million[b][13][155][156] GER: 8.65 million[14] UK: 18.715 million[15] FRA: 15.968 million[16][17][49][99] CAN: 15.005 million[18] AUS: 3.827 million[b][19][20] BRA: 505,000[b][21] NLD: 2.18 million[22] ITA: 100,000[b][23] SPA: 1.03 million[54][55] SWE: 1.105 million[b][26] NOR: 860,000[b][27] DEN: 800,000[b][70][157][158][30] SWI: 1.685 million[b][31] ARG: 340,000[32] BEL: 2.16 million[b][35][36] AUT: 440,000[b][37] POL: 700,000[b][38] FIN: 356,183[39] NZ: 380,000[40][41]	200 million[159][160]
The Rolling Stones	United Kingdom	1962–present[161]	1963[161]	Rock / blues rock[161]	104.1 million US: 74.75 million[12] JPN: 950,000[b][13] GER: 3.8 million[b][14] UK: 12.93 million[b][15] FRA: 3.38 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 3.025 million[b][18] AUS: 697,500[b][19] BRA: 275.000[b][21] NLD: 610,000[b][22] ITA: 375,000[b][23] SPA: 990,000[b][24][25][53][54][55] SWE: 310,000[b][26] NOR: 100,000[b][27] DEN: 170,000[b][30][162][149] SWI: 238,000[b][31] ARG: 718,000[b][32][33] BEL: 220,000[b][35][36] AUT: 300,000[b][37] POL: 140,000[b][38] NZ: 190,000[b][40][41]	200 million[163]

120 million to 199 million records

• 
  Drake
• 
  Garth Brooks
• 
  Kanye West
• 
  Coldplay
• 
  Billy Joel
• 
  Justin Bieber
• 
  Bruno Mars

Artist	Country	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)[b]	Claimed sales
Drake	Canada	2001–present[164]	2009[164]	Hip-hop / R&B / pop[164]	556.8 million US: 432.78 million[12] GER: 2.65 million[14] UK: 72.4 million[15] FRA: 3.949 million[17] CAN: 9.72 million[18] AUS: 18.83 million[19] BRA: 6.53 million[21] ITA: 1.885 million[23] SPA: 1.31 million[24] SWE: 1.31 million[26][56] DEN: 2.96 million[30] MEX: 1.2 million[60] BEL: 315,000[36] AUT: 127,500[37] POL: 390,000[38] NZ: 562,500[40] POR: 350,000[84]	170 million[165]
Garth Brooks	United States	1989–present[166]	1989[166]	Country[166]	170.3 million US: 163.4 million[12] UK: 520,000[15] CAN: 5.73 million[18] AUS: 595,000[b][19][167] IRE: 120,000[b][109]	170 million[168]
Kanye West	United States	1996–present[169]	2003[169]	Hip-hop / electronic / pop[169]	295.3 million US: 247.55 million[12] JPN: 200,000[13] GER: 1.75 million[14] UK: 38.46 million[15] FRA: 225,000[17] CAN: 1.66 million[18] AUS: 3.22 million[19] ITA: 540,000[b][23] SWE: 300,000[56] DEN: 1.715 million[59][30][170] NZ: 177,500[40][41]	160 million[171]
Coldplay	United Kingdom	1997–present[172]	1999[172]	Alternative rock / pop rock / pop[172]	165.9 million US: 61.6 million[12] JPN: 750,000[13][48] GER: 9.65 million[14] UK: 51.005 million[15] FRA: 4.428 million[17] KOR: 2.5 million[173] CAN: 3.97 million[18] AUS: 8.765 million[19] BRA: 1.64 million[21][174] NLD: 410,000[22] ITA: 4.855 million[b][23] SPA: 3.50 million[24] SWE: 390,000[26][56] NOR: 260,000[27][116] DEN: 3.059 million[58][30] SWI: 635,000[31] MEX: 2.74 million[60][175] ARG: 528,000[32][33] BEL: 680,000[36] AUT: 287,500[37] POL: 797,500[b][38] IRE: 210,000[b][109] NZ: 2.440 million[40] POR: 844,000[b][42][84][176]	160 million[177]
Billy Joel	United States	1964–present[178]	1971[178]	Pop / rock[178]	136 million US: 116.35 million[12] JPN: 2 million[b][13][179] GER: 1.25 million[b][14] UK: 9.815 million[b][15] FRA: 1.025 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 3.275 million[b][18] AUS: 1.687 million[b][19][20] NLD: 350,000[b][22] AUT: 125,000[b][37] NZ: 162,500[b][40]	160 million[180]
Justin Bieber	Canada	2008–present[181]	2009[181]	Pop / teen pop / dance-pop[181]	313.46 million US: 201 million[12] JPN: 950,000[13][48] GER: 6.2 million[14] UK: 39.945 million[15] FRA: 2.38 million[17] CAN: 9.38 million[18] AUS: 9.24 million[19] BRA: 13.96 million[21] ITA: 3.015 million[23] SPA: 1.4 million[24] SWE: 2.91 million[26][56] NOR: 3.960 million[116] DEN: 5.545 million[30] SWI: 175,000[31] MEX: 8.99 million[60] BEL: 810,000[36] AUT: 327,500[37] POL: 870,000[38] NZ: 1.275 million[40] POR: 325,000[84]	150 million[182]
Bruno Mars	United States	2004–present[183]	2010[183]	Pop rock / R&B[183]	206.7 million US: 148.5 million[12] JPN: 1.2 million[13][48] GER: 3.8 million[14] UK: 28.66 million[15] FRA: 2.25 million[17] CAN: 7 million[18] AUS: 6.965 million[19] BRA: 520,000[21] NLD: 105,000[22] ITA: 1.16 million[b][23] SPA: 1.26 million[24] SWE: 440,000[26][56] DEN: 1.525 million[b][30][184] SWI: 415,000[31] MEX: 1.23 million[60] BEL: 360,000[36] AUT: 180,000[37] POL: 170,000[b][38] NZ: 712,500[40] PHL: 330,000[185] POR: 115,000[84]	150 million[186]
Britney Spears	United States	1998–present[187]	1998[187]	Pop / dance / dance-pop[187]	157.921 million US: 105 million[12] JPN: 2.5 million[13][130] GER: 7.9 million[14] UK: 20.085 million[15] FRA: 4.755 million[16][17][49] CAN: 4.22 million[18] AUS: 3.245 million[19] BRA: 705,000[21] NLD: 665,000[22] ITA: 525,000[b][23] SPA: 1.07 million[24][54][55] SWE: 1.01 million[26][56] NOR: 205,000[27][116] DEN: 988,000[b][58][59][188] SWI: 495,000[31] MEX: 1.405 million[b][60] ARG: 452,000[32][33] BEL: 940,000[35][36] AUT: 395,000[37] POL: 320,000[38] FIN: 143,627[39] NZ: 737,500[40][41] POR: 160,000[b][42][189][190]	150 million[191]
Metallica	United States	1981–present[192]	1983[192]	Heavy metal / thrash metal[192]	153.9 million US: 112.6 million[12] JPN: 900,000[b][13] GER: 11.725 million[14] UK: 7.985 million[15] FRA: 945,000 million[16][17] CAN: 3.885 million[18] AUS: 6.802 million[b][19][20][193] ITA: 1 million[b][23] POL: 1.195 million[b][38] BRA: 380,000[b][21] NLD: 460,000[22] SPA: 420,000[24][54][55] SWE: 675,000[b][26] NOR: 320,000[b][27][116] DEN: 500,000[30][59] SWI: 560,000[b][31] MEX: 430,000[b][60] ARG: 874,000[32][33] BEL: 385,000[b][35][36] AUT: 340,000[b][37] FIN: 530,676[39] NZ: 945,000[40][41]	150 million[194]
Bruce Springsteen	United States	1972–present[195]	1973[195]	Rock[195]	128.7 million US: 95.15 million[12] JPN: 400,000[b][13] GER: 4.425 million[b][14] UK: 12.41 million[15] FRA: 2.037 million[16][17][49] CAN: 3.2 million[b][18] AUS: 3.537 million[b][19] BRA: 100,000[b][21] NLD: 740,000[b][22] ITA: 740,000[b][23] SPA: 2 million[b][24][25][53][54][55] SWE: 810,000[b][26][56] NOR: 340,000[b][27][57] DEN: 620,000[b][58][30][91][196] SWI: 535,000[b][31][57] MEX: 280,000[b][60] BEL: 230,000[36][77] AUT: 290,000[b][37] FIN: 449,800[39] IRE: 189,500[b][109] NZ: 375,000[40][41]	150 million[197]
U2	Ireland	1976–present[198]	1980[198]	Rock[198]	116.7 million US: 53.1 million[12] JPN: 1.45 million[b][13] GER: 5.8 million[14] UK: 23.945 million[15] FRA: 5.325 million[16][17] CAN: 7.155 million[18] AUS: 4.622 million[b][19][20][199] BRA: 2.8 million[b][21] NLD: 1.24 million[22] ITA: 1.08 million[b][23] SPA: 2.715 million[24][25][53][54][55] SWE: 515,000[b][26] NOR: 150,000[b][27] DEN: 838,000[b][58][59][30][76][149] SWI: 771,000[b][31][57] MEX: 835,000[b][60] ARG: 966,000[32][33][200] BEL: 770,000[b][35][36] AUT: 522,500[b][37] POL: 370,000[b][38] FIN: 235,460[39] IRE: 316,000[b][109] NZ: 850,000[40][41] POR: 433,000[b][72][42][84][63][201]	150 million[202]
Aerosmith	United States	1970–present[203]	1973[203]	Hard rock[203]	105.4 million US: 87.25 million[12] JPN: 2.7 million[b][13][48] GER: 2 million[b][14] UK: 5.97 million[15] FRA: 225,000[16][17][49] CAN: 3.95 million[b][18] AUS: 365,000[b][19][204] BRA: 600,000[b][21] NLD: 200,000[b][22] ITA: 170,000[b][23] SPA: 440,000[b][24][54] SWE: 260,000[b][26] NOR: 150,000[b][27] DEN: 195,000[b][30] SWI: 145,000[b][31] MEX: 230,000[b][60] ARG: 338,000[b][32][33] AUT: 125,000[b][37] POL: 100,000[b][38] FIN: 101,722[39]	150 million[205]
Phil Collins	United Kingdom	1980–2011, 2015–present[206]	1981[206]	Rock / progressive rock / adult contemporary[206]	101.3 million US: 46.35 million[12] JPN: 800,000[b][13] GER: 14.3 million[14] UK: 18.85 million[15] FRA: 6.41 million[16][17][49] CAN: 3.875 million[18] AUS: 1.595 million[b][19][20] BRA: 1.37 million[b][21] NLD: 1.15 million[22] ITA: 425,000[b][23][57] SPA: 2.15 million[24][25][54][55] SWE: 245,000[b][26] DEN: 390,000[b][30][207] SWI: 973,000[b][31] ARG: 1.144 million[32][33] BEL: 355,000[b][35][36] AUT: 465,000[b][37] FIN: 182,581[39] NZ: 140,000[40][41] POR: 208,000[b][42][208]	150 million[209]
Barbra Streisand	United States	1960–present[210]	1963[210]	Pop / adult contemporary[210]	98.6 million US: 82.45 million[12] GER: 750,000[b][14] UK: 6.025 million[b][15] FRA: 3.25 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 2.65 million[b][18] AUS: 2.222 million[b][19] NLD: 710,000[b][22] SPA: 150,000[b][55] SWE: 120,000[26][56] FIN: 186,501[b][39] NZ: 142,500[b][40]	150 million[211]
ABBA	Sweden	1972–1982, 2016–present[212]	1972[212]	Pop / disco[212]	72.21 million US: 12.7 million[12] JPN: 1.5 million[b][48][213][214] GER: 11.35 million[b][14] UK: 26.665 million[b][15] FRA: 2.85 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 2.785 million[b][18] AUS: 5.662 million[b][19][215] BRA: 305,000[b][21] NLD: 1.39 million[b][22] ITA: 175,000[b][23] SPA: 1.185 million[b][24][53] SWE: 1.02 million[b][26] DEN: 1.09 million[b][30][216][217][218] SWI: 600,000[b][31] MEX: 260,000[b][60] ARG: 238,000[b][32][33] BEL: 470,000[b][35][36] AUT: 197,500[b][37] POL: 230,000[b][38] FIN: 656,319[39] NZ: 297,500[b][41][219][220]	150 million[221]
Julio Iglesias	Spain	1968–present[222]	1968[222]	Latin[222]	51.7 million US: 11 million[12] JPN: 800,000[b][223] GER: 250,000[b][14] UK: 1.62 million[b][15][223] FRA: 6.1 million[16][17][49][223] CAN: 1.5 million[18] AUS: 505,000[b][19][223] BRA: 12.475 million[b][21][223] NLD: 1.2 million[b][22][223] ITA: 435,000[b][23][223] SPA: 8.8 million[b][24][25][53][54][55][223] SWE: 290,000[b][26][223] MEX: 2.975 million[b][60][223] ARG: 3.22 million[b][32][223][34] BEL: 125,000[b][223][36] FIN: 131,636[b][39] POR: 288,000[b][72][42][57][223][224]	150 million[225]
Frank Sinatra	United States	1935–1971, 1973–1995[226]	1940[226]	Pop / swing / easy listening[226]	41.8 million US: 28.2 million[12] GER: 1 million[b][14] UK: 9.285 million[b][15] FRA: 600,000[b][16] CAN: 650,000[b][18] AUS: 315,000[b][19][227] BRA: 350,000[b][21] ITA: 600,000[b][23][77] SPA: 500,000[b][25][54][55] SWE: 130,000[b][26] ARG: 188,000[b][32][33]	150 million[228]
Katy Perry	United States	2001–present[229]	2008[229]	Pop[229]	229.272 million US: 148.96 million[12] JPN: 400,000[13][48] GER: 5.15 million[14] UK: 27.8 million[15] FRA: 1.124 million[17][230] CAN: 12.64 million[18] AUS: 13.75 million[19] BRA: 8.25 million[21] ITA: 1.195 million[b][23] SPA: 850,000[24] SWE: 620,000[26][56] NOR: 2.69 million[116] DEN: 1.14 million[58][30] SWI: 195,000[31] MEX: 1.35 million[60] BEL: 150,000[36] AUT: 662,500[37] POL: 375,000[38] NZ: 1.965 million[40][41]	143 million[231]
Chris Brown	United States	2005–present[232]	2005[232]	R&B / hip-hop / pop[232]	285.9 million US: 234.63 million[12] JPN: 500,000[48] GER: 2.95 million[14] UK: 29.52 million[15] FRA: 783,333[17] CAN: 2.43 million[18] AUS: 6.86 million[19] BRA: 1.05 million[21] ITA: 325,000[23] SPA: 520,000[24] SWE: 410,000[56] NOR: 315,000[116] DEN: 1.52 million[30] SWI: 150,000[31] MEX: 850,000[60] POL: 240,000[38] NZ: 2.94 million[40][41]	140 million[233]
Jay-Z	United States	1996–present[234]	1996[234]	Hip-hop[234]	178.7 million US: 147.2 million[12] JPN: 1.05 million[48] GER: 2.3 million[14] UK: 21.38 million[15] FRA: 650,000[17] CAN: 2.45 million[18] AUS: 1.89 million[19] BRA: 110,000[21] ITA: 335,000[b][23] SPA: 410,000[24] SWE: 210,000[26][56] DEN: 275,000[58][30] BEL: 100,000[36]	125 million[235]
Lady Gaga	United States	2005–present[236]	2008[236]	Pop / dance / electronic[236]	168.05 million US: 108 million[12] JPN: 5.4 million[13][48] GER: 5.7 million[14] UK: 24.785 million[15] FRA: 3.603 million[17] CAN: 3.68 million[18] AUS: 4.545 million[19] BRA: 470,000[21] NLD: 130,000[22] ITA: 1.715 million[b][23] SPA: 1.46 million[24] SWE: 680,000[26][56] NOR: 2.47 million[27][116] DEN: 1.135 million[59][30][29] SWI: 555,000[31] MEX: 420,000[60] BEL: 505,000[36] AUT: 227,500[37] POL: 755,000[38] IRE: 165,000[109] NZ: 472,500[40][41] POR: 120,000[42][84]	124 million[237]
Lil Wayne	United States	1996–present[238]	1999[238]	Hip-hop[238]	205.1 million US: 195 million[12] GER: 300,000[14] UK: 9 million[15] FRA: 100,000[17] CAN: 360,000[18] AUS: 1.2 million[19] DEN: 190,000[30]	120 million[239]
Maroon 5	United States	1994–present[240]	2002[240]	Pop rock / funk rock / dance-pop[240]	147.8 million US: 100.5 million[12] JPN: 2.25 million[13][48] GER: 3.15 million[14] UK: 21.1 million[15] FRA: 1.625 million[17] CAN: 5.965 million[18] AUS: 4.305 million[19] BRA: 1.05 million[21] ITA: 1.365 million[b][23] SPA: 350,000[b][24] SWE: 850,000[26][56] DEN: 1.237 million[b][30][59][58] MEX: 4.055 million[60] SWI: 100,000[31] BEL: 185,000[36] POL: 240,000[38] NZ: 450,000[40]	120 million[241]
Adele	United Kingdom	2006–present[242]	2008[242]	Pop / soul[242]	145.9 million US: 69 million[12] JPN: 100,000[13] GER: 5 million[14] UK: 40.65 million[15] FRA: 738,333[17] CAN: 9.06 million[18] AUS: 4.675 million[19] BRA: 4.87 million[21] NLD: 380,000[22] ITA: 1.845 million[b][23] SPA: 860,000[24] SWE: 510,000[26][56] NOR: 835,000[27][116] DEN: 1.712 million[58][30] MEX: 2.37 million[60] SWI: 600,000[31] BEL: 835,000[36] POL: 340,000[38] FIN: 151,639[39] NZ: 727,500[40] POR: 110,000[42][84]	120 million[243]
Red Hot Chili Peppers	United States	1983–present[244]	1987[244]	Funk rock / alternative rock[244]	118.4 million US: 74.25 million[12] JPN: 2.6 million[b][13][48] GER: 3.9 million[14] UK: 20.155 million[15] FRA: 1.77 million[17] CAN: 3.31 million[18] AUS: 2.66 million[b][19][20][245] BRA: 1 million[b][21] ITA: 2.875 million[b][23] NZ: 1.605 million[40][41] NLD: 660,000[22] SPA: 640,000[24][54][55] SWE: 390,000[b][26] DEN: 720,000[b][58][59][91][30] SWI: 405,000[b][31] MEX: 150,000[b][60] BEL: 195,000[b][36] ARG: 406,000[32][33] AUT: 257,500[b][37] POL: 315,000[b][38] FIN: 171,951[39]	120 million[246]
Bon Jovi	United States	1983–present[247]	1983[247]	Hard rock / glam metal[247]	113.2 million US: 72.4 million[12] JPN: 4.4 million[b][13][48] GER: 5.65 million[14] UK: 14.19 million[15] FRA: 825,000[16][17][49] CAN: 4.735 million[18] AUS: 3.835 million[b][19][248][249] BRA: 435,000[b][21] NLD: 710,000[22] ITA: 215,000[b][23] SPA: 1.62 million[24][25][53][54][55] SWE: 365,000[b][26][56] DEN: 185,000[b][59][30] SWI: 1.275 million[b][31] MEX: 250,000[b][60] ARG: 358,000[32][33] BEL: 290,000[b][35][36] AUT: 725,000[b][37] POL: 120,000[b][38] FIN: 422,500[39] NZ: 210,000[40][41]	120 million[250]
Fleetwood Mac	United Kingdom United States	1967–present[251]	1968[251]	Rock / pop[251]	103.7 million US: 59.25 million[12] GER: 3.5 million[b][14] UK: 31.725 million[b][15] FRA: 800,000[b][16][17] CAN: 2.95 million[b][18] AUS: 3.327 million[b][19][20] NLD: 590,000[b][22] SPA: 300,000[b][54][55] SWI: 100,000[b][31] DEN: 370,000[b][30] BEL: 100,000[b][36] NZ: 752,500[b][41][252][253]	120 million[254]
Rod Stewart	United Kingdom	1964–present[255]	1969[255]	Rock / pop[255]	84.9 million US: 46.65 million[12] JPN: 500,000[b][13] GER: 4.05 million[b][14] UK: 20.79 million[b][15] FRA: 1.8 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 4.055 million[b][18] AUS: 3.66 million[b][19][20] BRA: 980,000[b][21] NLD: 140,000[b][22] SPA: 290,000[b][24][25][53] SWE: 440,000[b][26] DEN: 120,000[b][30][256][257] SWI: 100,000[b][31] ARG: 524,000[b][32][33] AUT: 175,000[b][37][77][57] POL: 220,000[b][38] IRE: 195,000[b][109] NZ: 285,000[b][40][41]	120 million[258]
Bee Gees	United Kingdom Australia[259][260]	1963–2003 2009–2012[261]	1963[261]	Pop / disco[261]	75.5 million US: 42.5 million[12] JPN: 300,000[b][13][262][263] GER: 7.175 million[b][14] UK: 13.325 million[b][15] FRA: 3.4 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 4.215 million[b][18] AUS: 1.987 million[b][19] BRA: 350,000[b][21] ITA: 135,000[b][23] NLD: 540,000[b][22] SPA: 450,000[b][25][53][55] SWI: 415,000[b][31] ARG: 188,000[b][32][33] AUT: 125,000[b][37] POL: 100,000[b][38] NZ: 380,000[b][40][41]	120 million[264]
Roberto Carlos	Brazil	1961–present[265]	1963	Latin	54.355 million BRA: 52.9 million[b][21] SPA: 450.000[b][24][25][53][54][55][223] MEX: 225.000[b][60][223] ARG: 780.000[b][32][223][34]	120 million[266]

100 million to 119 million records

• 
  Nicki Minaj
• 
  Linkin Park
• 
  George Strait
• 
  Pink
• 
  Shania Twain

Artist	Country	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)[b]	Claimed sales
Nicki Minaj	Trinidad and Tobago	2007–present[267]	2010[267]	Hip-hop / pop[267]	179.5 million US: 132.96 million[12] JPN: 550,000[48] GER: 2.45 million[14] UK: 24.4 million[15] FRA: 1.099 million[17] CAN: 2.96 million[18] AUS: 4.235 million[19] BRA: 470,000[21] ITA: 775,000[23] SPA: 610,000[24] SWE: 420,000[26][56] NOR: 595,000[116] DEN: 430,000[30] SWI: 180,000[31] MEX: 6.96 million[60] POL: 185,000[38] NZ: 247,500[40]	100 million[268]
Linkin Park	United States	1996–present[269]	2000[269]	Alternative rock / nu metal / rap rock[269]	123.6 million US: 79.6 million[12] JPN: 1.55 million[13][48] GER: 9.875 million[14] UK: 19.445 million[15] FRA: 1.725 million[17] CAN: 1.45 million[18] AUS: 1.512 million[19] BRA: 670,000[21] ITA: 3.9 million[b][23] NZ: 1.2 million[40][41] SPA: 200,000[24] SWE: 165,000[26][56] DEN: 530,000[58][30] SWI: 435,000[31] MEX: 225,000[60] ARG: 108,000[32][33] BEL: 140,000[36] AUT: 312,500[37] POL: 270,000[38] FIN: 120,469[39] POR: 140,000[b][42][84][176]	100 million[270]
George Strait	United States	1981–present[271]	1984[271]	Country[271]	110.8 million US: 110.15 million[12] CAN: 745,000[18]	100 million[272]
Journey	United States	1973–present[273]	1975[273]	Rock / soft rock[273]	109.4 million US: 103 million[12] JPN: 300,000[b][13][274] GER: 1.2 million[14] UK: 3 million[15] CAN: 725,000[18] AUS: 840,000[b][19] DEN: 180,000[58][30] NZ: 240,000[40][41]	100 million[275]
Pink	United States	1995–present[276]	2000[276]	Pop / pop rock / R&B[276]	94.3 million US: 35.725 million[12] JPN: 400,000[13] GER: 6.325 million[14] UK: 26.085 million[15] FRA: 1.448 million[17][49] CAN: 7.21 million[18] AUS: 10.57 million[19] BRA: 1.53 million[21] NLD: 215,000[22] ITA: 450,000[b][23] SWE: 710,000[26] NOR: 215,000[27][116] DEN: 516,500[58][30] SWI: 675,000[31] MEX: 750,000[60] BEL: 275,000[36] AUT: 447,500[37] POL: 220,000[38] FIN: 130,442[39] NZ: 532,500[40][41]	100 million[277]
Shania Twain	Canada	1993–present[278]	1993[278]	Country pop[278]	87.4 million US: 60.9 million[12] JPN: 400,000[13][48] GER: 1.75 million[14] UK: 10.355 million[15] FRA: 975,000[17][49] CAN: 6.88 million[18] AUS: 2.85 million[b][19] BRA: 475,000[21] NLD: 540,000[22] SPA: 130,000[55] SWE: 330,000[26] NOR: 430,000[27] DEN: 210,000[b][58][30] SWI: 310,000[31] MEX: 100,000[b][60] ARG: 120,000[32] BEL: 250,000[b][35][36] AUT: 115,000[37] NZ: 402,500[40][41]	100 million[279]
Christina Aguilera	United States	1993–present[280]	1998[280]	R&B / pop / rock[280]	87 million US: 56.2 million[12] JPN: 600,000[13][48] GER: 3.675 million[14] UK: 14.110 million[15] FRA: 575,000[17] CAN: 3.5 million[18] AUS: 3.275 million[19] BRA: 1,540,000[21] NLD: 170,000[22] ITA: 215,000[b][23] SPA: 590,000[b][24][55] SWE: 500,000[26][56] DEN: 768,500[b][59][30][91] SWI: 225,000[31] MEX: 905,000[60] ARG: 100,000[32] BEL: 260,000[36] AUT: 140,000[37] NZ: 195,000[40]	100 million[281][282]
B'z	Japan	1988–present[283]	1988[283]	Rock / pop rock / hard rock[283]	86.2 million JPN: 86.250 million[b][13][48][124]	100 million[284]
Guns N' Roses	United States	1985–present[285]	1987[285]	Hard rock / heavy metal[285]	81.9 million US: 48.5 million[12] JPN: 1.7 million[b][13] GER: 4.1 million[14] UK: 11.15 million[15] FRA: 1 million[17] CAN: 3.52 million[18] AUS: 3.19 million[b][19][20][152] BRA: 1.9 million[b][21] NLD: 705,000[22] ITA: 750,000[b][23] SPA: 450,000[24][25][53] SWE: 485,000[26] NOR: 250,000[b][27] DEN: 530,000[b][30][286] SWI: 365,000[b][31] MEX: 760,000[b][60] ARG: 1.248 million[b][32][33] BEL: 165,000[b][35][36] AUT: 365,000[37] POL: 160,000[b][38] IRE: 105,000[b][109] FIN: 267,540[39] NZ: 270,000[40][41]	100 million[287]
Backstreet Boys	United States	1993–present[288]	1995[288]	Pop[288]	79.9 million US: 44.5 million[12] JPN: 5.4 million[13][48][289] GER: 7 million[14] UK: 6.875 million[15] FRA: 325,000[16][17] CAN: 3.63 million[18] AUS: 2.485 million[b][19] BRA: 1.625 million[21] NLD: 830,000[22] SPA: 1.97 million[54][55] SWE: 655,000[26] NOR: 140,000[27] DEN: 465,000[b][290][291][30] SWI: 415,000[31] MEX: 1.475 million[b][60] ARG: 740,000[32] BEL: 450,000[b][35][36] AUT: 325,000[37] POL: 300,000[38] FIN: 171,390[39] NZ: 132,500[40]	100 million[292]
Eric Clapton	United Kingdom	1962–present[293]	1970[293]	Rock / blues[293]	71.6 million US: 47.7 million[12] JPN: 3.95 million[b][13] GER: 3.03 million[14] UK: 7.79 million[b][15] FRA: 1.475 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 2.275 million[b][18] AUS: 1.115 million[b][19] BRA: 715,000[b][21] NLD: 745,000[b][22] ITA: 120,000[b][23] SPA: 760,000[b][53][54][55] SWE: 320,000[b][26][56] DEN: 170,000[b][294][30] SWI: 385,000[b][31] ARG: 420,000[b][32][33] BEL: 125,000[b][36] AUT: 285,000[b][37] POL: 145,000[38] FIN: 129,679[b][39] NZ: 102,500[b][40]	100 million[295]
Neil Diamond	United States	1966–present[296]	1966[296]	Pop / rock[296]	72.1 million US: 55.9 million[12] GER: 1 million[b][14] UK: 10.47 million[b][15] FRA: 400,000[b][16] CAN: 1.725 million[b][18] AUS: 2.19 million[b][19][297] NLD: 250,000[b][22] SPA: 100,000[b][53] NZ: 132,500[b][40][41]	100 million[298]
Prince	United States	1976–2016[299]	1978[299]	Funk / R&B / pop / soul / rock[299]	67.6 million US: 48.95 million[12] JPN: 300,000[b][13] GER: 2.4 million[14] UK: 9.545 million[15] FRA: 2.11 million[16][17] CAN: 1 million[18] AUS: 1.12 million[b][19][20] NLD: 670,000[b][22] SPA: 700,000[b][25][53][54][55] SWE: 100,000[26] DEN: 140,000[b][30] SWI: 300,000[b][31][57] AUT: 150,000[b][37][57] NZ: 182,500[b][40]	100 million[300]
Paul McCartney	United Kingdom	1960–present[301]	1970[301]	Rock[301]	67.5 million US: 44.45 million[12] JPN: 500,000[b][13] GER: 1.925 million[b][14] UK: 15.325 million[b][15] FRA: 1.405 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 1.995 million[b][18] AUS: 745,000[b][19][20] SPA: 640,000[b][25][53] SWE: 210,000[b][56][302] DEN: 405,000[b][59][30]	100 million[303]
Janet Jackson	United States	1982–present[304]	1982[304]	R&B / pop[304]	65.3 million US: 52.25 million[12] JPN: 1.6 million[b][13] GER: 1.4 million[14] UK: 4.96 million[15] FRA: 1.475 million[16][17][49] CAN: 1.46 million[18] AUS: 1.19 million[b][19][20] NLD: 400,000[22] SPA: 150,000[54][55] SWE: 105,000[b][26] SWI: 170,000[b][31] BEL: 175,000[b][35]	100 million[305]
Kenny Rogers	United States	1958–2020[306]	1975[306]	Country / pop[306]	64.7 million US: 55.55 million[12] JPN: 100,000[b][307] UK: 3.92 million[15] CAN: 4.74 million[18] AUS: 175,000[b][19] SPA: 100,000[b][53] NZ: 130,000[b][40]	100 million[308]
Santana	United States	1966–present[309]	1969[309]	Rock[309]	62.8 million US: 47.475 million[12] JPN: 400,000[b][13] GER: 2.4 million[b][14] UK: 3.480 million[b][15] FRA: 3.510 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 1.660 million[b][18] AUS: 855,000[b][19] BRA: 375,000[b][21] NLD: 540,000[b][22] SPA: 450,000[b][54][55] SWE: 125,000[b][26] SWI: 375,000[b][31] MEX: 405,000[b][60] ARG: 158,000[b][32][33] BEL: 190,000[b][35][36] AUT: 145,000[b][37] POL: 205,000[b][38] NZ: 135,000[b][40][41]	100 million[310]
Simon & Garfunkel	United States	1956–2004[311]	1964[311]	Folk rock[311]	62.1 million US: 42.6 million[12] JPN: 700,000[b][13] GER: 2.325 million[b][14] UK: 9.4 million[b][15] FRA: 3.9 million[b][16] CAN: 1.425 million[b][18] AUS: 390,000[b][19][20] NLD: 300,000[b][22] ITA: 125,000[b][23] SWE: 150,000[b][26] NOR: 140,000[b][27] SWI: 450,000[b][31] AUT: 100,000[b][37] FIN: 163,350[b][39]	100 million[312]
The Doors	United States	1965–1973[313]	1967[313]	Psychedelic rock[313]	60.3 million US: 47.6 million[12] GER: 1.750 million[b][14] UK: 3.040 million[b][15] FRA: 2.2 million[b][16][17] CAN: 2.780 million[b][18] AUS: 1.267 million[b][19] BRA: 100,000[21] ITA: 380,000[b][23] NZ: 230,000[40][41] SPA: 610,000[b][53][55] SWI: 125,000[b][31] ARG: 150,000[b][32] AUT: 125,000[b][37][77]	100 million[314]
George Michael	United Kingdom	1981–2016[315]	1984[315]	Pop[315]	54.6 million US: 20.8 million[12] JPN: 300,000[b][13] GER: 2.4 million[14] UK: 18.810 million[15] FRA: 3.217 million[16][17][49] CAN: 1.870 million[18] AUS: 2.205 million[b][19][20] BRA: 510,000[b][21] NLD: 1.190 million[22] ITA: 115,000[b][23] SPA: 850,000[24][25][53][54][55] SWE: 310,000[b][26] NOR: 160,000[b][27][57] DEN: 520,000[58][30][91][316] SWI: 335,000[b][31] ARG: 118,000[32][33] BEL: 315,000[b][35][36] AUT: 140,000[b][37] POL: 340,000[b][38] NZ: 140,000[40][41]	100 million[317]
Dire Straits	United Kingdom	1977–1995[318]	1978[318]	Rock[318]	53.6 million US: 15.5 million[12] GER: 3.750 million[14] UK: 15.325 million[15] FRA: 7.305 million[16][17] CAN: 2.575 million[18] AUS: 2.190 million[b][19][20] BRA: 175,000[b][21] NLD: 900,000[22] ITA: 1.135 million[b][23][57] SPA: 1.380 million[b][24][25][53][54] SWE: 360,000[b][26] DEN: 495,000[b][59][58][30] SWI: 1 million[b][31] BEL: 300,000[b][35][36][77] AUT: 400,000[b][37][57] FIN: 471,530[39] NZ: 155,000[b][41]	100 million[319]
Foreigner	United States United Kingdom	1976–present[320]	1977[320]	Rock / hard rock[320]	50.4 million US: 45.1 million[12] GER: 1.5 million[14] UK: 2.3 million[15] FRA: 400,000[16][17] CAN: 700,000[18] AUS: 140,000[b][19] NLD: 150,000[22] SWI: 125,000[b][31]	100 million[321]
Chicago	United States	1967–present[322]	1969[322]	Rock / pop[322]	48.5 million US: 44.150 million[12] JPN: 400,000[b][13][323] GER: 250,000[b][14] UK: 1.490 million[b][15] FRA: 100,000[b][16] CAN: 1.865 million[18] AUS: 105,000[b][19] NLD: 100,000[b][22] SPA: 130,000[b][25]	100 million[324]
Bob Dylan	United States	1959–present[325]	1963[325]	Folk / rock[325]	49.06 million US: 35.6 million[12] GER: 625,000[b][14] UK: 9.090 million[b][15] FRA: 800,000[b][16][17] CAN: 1.5 million[b][18] AUS: 690,000[b][19] ITA: 170,000[b][23] NOR: 250,000[b][27] SWI: 175,000[b][31] NZ: 105,000[b][40]	100 million[326]
Meat Loaf	United States	1968–2022[327]	1977[327]	Rock / hard rock[327]	47 million US: 25.6 million[12] GER: 2.350 million[14] UK: 12.065 million[15] CAN: 3.380 million[18] AUS: 2.662 million[b][19][20] NLD: 425,000[22] SWE: 100,000[b][26] SWI: 115,000[b][31] AUT: 100,000[b][37] NZ: 302,500[40]	100 million[328]
The Carpenters	United States	1969–1983[329]	1969[329]	Pop[329]	47 million US: 34.6 million[12] JPN: 3.050 million[b][13][156][330] GER: 250,000[b][14] UK: 8.750 million[b][15] CAN: 275,000[b][18] BRA: 100,000[b][21]	100 million[331]
Cher	United States	1964–present[332]	1965[332]	Pop / rock / dance / folk[332]	45.6 million US: 21.9 million[12] JPN: 100,000[b][13] GER: 4.175 million[b][14] UK: 10.490 million[b][15] FRA: 1.525 million[b][17][49] CAN: 1.380 million[b][18] AUS: 1.530 million[b][19][333] BRA: 125,000[b][21] NLD: 375,000[b][22][334][335] ITA: 325,000[b][336][23] SPA: 660,000[b][54][55][336] SWE: 850,000[b][26][56] NOR: 115,000[b][27] DEN: 550,000[b][336][30] SWI: 295,000[b][31] MEX: 200,000[b][60] ARG: 106,000[b][32] BEL: 275,000[b][35] AUT: 250,000[b][37] POL: 100,000[b][38] NZ: 315,000[40][337]	100 million[338]
Earth, Wind & Fire	United States	1969–present[339]	1971[339]	Funk / R&B / soul[339]	44.7 million US: 37.7 million[12] JPN: 500,000[b][13][340][341] UK: 4.585 million[15] FRA: 500,000[16][17] CAN: 360,000[18] AUS: 420,000[b][19] NLD: 250,000[b][22] DEN: 180,000[b][30] MEX: 210,000[b][60]	100 million[342]
David Bowie	United Kingdom	1962–2016[343]	1967[343]	Art rock / glam rock / pop[343]	44.2 million US: 15.7 million[12] JPN: 200,000[b][13] GER: 525,000[b][14] UK: 20.695 million[b][15] FRA: 2.430 million[b][16][17][49] CAN: 2.315 million[b][18] AUS: 845,000[b][19][75] NLD: 465,000[b][22] ITA: 570,000[b][23] SPA: 170,000[b][24][25][53] DEN: 200,000[b][30] NZ: 142,500[b][40]	100 million[344]
Def Leppard	United Kingdom	1977–present[345]	1979[345]	Hard rock / heavy metal[345]	42.6 million US: 36.150 million[12] JPN: 300,000[b][13] UK: 2.120 million[15] FRA: 200,000[16] CAN: 2.995 million[18] AUS: 407,500[20][346] SWE: 150,000[b][26] SWI: 125,000[b][31] MEX: 200,000[b][60]	100 million[347]
Stevie Wonder	United States	1961–present[348]	1962[348]	Funk / R&B / soul[348]	41.6 million US: 21.650 million[12] JPN: 1.050 million[b][13] GER: 750,000[b][14] UK: 14.145 million[b][15] FRA: 1.4 million[b][16][49] CAN: 1.550 million[18] NLD: 250,000[b][22] ITA: 100,000[b][23] SPA: 430,000[b][53] DEN: 135,000[b][30]	100 million[349]
Genesis	United Kingdom	1967–1999 2006–present[350]	1969[350]	Progressive rock / pop rock[350]	40.3 million US: 21.650 million[12] JPN: 100,000[b][13] GER: 5.875 million[b][14] UK: 7.565 million[b][15] FRA: 3.260 million[b][16][17] CAN: 805,000[b][18] NLD: 300,000[b][22] SPA: 250,000[b][24][25][53] SWE: 100,000[b][26] SWI: 450,000[b][31][57]	100 million[351]
Gloria Estefan	United States	1975–present[352]	1984[352]	Latin pop / dance pop[352]	38.1 million US: 25.9 million[12] JPN: 600,000[b][13] GER: 250,000[14] UK: 4.560 million[15] FRA: 325,000[17] CAN: 940,000[18] AUS: 455,000[b][19][353] NLD: 625,000[22] SPA: 3.240 million[24][53][25][54] SWI: 110,000[b][31] MEX: 825,000[b][60] ARG: 380,000[32]	100 million[354]
Tina Turner	United States	1958–2009[355]	1960[356]	Rock / pop[356]	37.7 million US: 12.7 million[12] GER: 6.5 million[14] UK: 11.435 million[15] FRA: 1.135 million[16][17][49] CAN: 1.6 million[18] AUS: 480,000[b][19][20] NLD: 565,000[b][22] SPA: 790,000[b][24][25][53][54] SWE: 330,000[b][26] NOR: 185,000[b][27] SWI: 675,000[b][31] BEL: 190,000[b][35][36] AUT: 745,000[b][37][77] POL: 140,000[b][38] FIN: 241,954[39]	100 million[357]
James Taylor	United States	1968–present[358]	1970[358]	Rock / pop[358]	36.5 million US: 35.250 million[12] UK: 1.055 million[b][15] CAN: 100,000[b][18] AUS: 100,000[b][19]	100 million[359]
Olivia Newton-John	United Kingdom Australia	1966–2022[360]	1966[360]	Pop[360]	36.1 million US: 27 million[12] JPN: 100,000[b][13] GER: 500,000[b][14] UK: 3.950 million[b][15] FRA: 1 million[49] CAN: 3.025 million[b][18] AUS: 450,000[b][19][20][361] NLD: 150,000[b][22]	100 million[362]
Linda Ronstadt	United States	1967–2011[363]	1968[363]	Rock / folk / country[363]	33.2 million US: 31.5 million[12] UK: 435,000[b][15] FRA: 100,000[b][16] CAN: 500,000[b][18] AUS: 665,000[b][19]	100 million[364]
The Beach Boys	United States	1961–present[365]	1962[365]	Rock / pop / surf rock[365]	32.7 million US: 25.6 million[12] GER: 250,000[b][14] UK: 5.610 million[b][15] FRA: 400,000[b][16][17][49] CAN: 100,000[b][18] AUS: 492,500[b][19][20] SPA: 250,000[b][53][54]	100 million[366]
Donna Summer	United States	1968–2012[367]	1974[367]	Pop / disco / R&B[367]	31.7 million US: 24.5 million[12] UK: 4.455 million[b][15] FRA: 900,000[b][16][17] CAN: 1.550 million[b][18] BRA: 100,000[b][21] NLD: 100,000[b][22] SPA: 100,000[b][54]	100 million[368]
Diana Ross	United States	1959–present[369]	1970[369]	R&B / pop / soul / disco[369]	17.525 million US: 6.55 million[b][12] UK: 8.02 million[b][15] AUT: 50,000[370] BEL: 75,000[371][372] CAN: 1.75 million[b][18] DEN: 90,000[b][373] FRA: 100,000[b][16] GER: 250,000[374] ITA: 50,000[b][375] NLD: 450,000[b][22] NOR: 25,000[376] NZ: 60,000[b][40] SPA: 30,000[b][24] SWI: 25,000[b][31]	100 million[377][378]
The Supremes	United States	1959–1977[379]	1962[379]	R&B / pop / soul / disco[379]	7.0025 million US: 4.6 million[b][12] UK: 2.18 million[b][15] DEN: 45,000[b][373] ITA: 50,000[b][380] NZ: 97,500[b][40] SPA: 30,000[b][381]	100 million[382][383]

80 million to 99 million records

• 
  Shakira
• 
  Ariana Grande
• 
  Alicia Keys
• 
  Tim McGraw
• 
  Lionel Richie
• 
  Johnny Cash
• 
  Justin Timberlake

Artist	Country	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)[b]	Claimed sales
Shakira	Colombia	1988–present[384]	1995[384]	Latin pop / pop / pop rock[384]	119.949 million US: 45.160 million[12] GER: 6.4 million[14] UK: 9.1 million[15] FRA: 6.041 million[17] CAN: 4.210 million[18] AUS: 1.687 million[19] BRA: 5.815 million[21] NLD: 380,000[22] ITA: 1.905 million[b][23] SPA: 7.670 million[24][54] SWE: 830,000[26][56] NOR: 225,000[27][116] DEN: 360,000[b][59][30][91][58] SWI: 895,000[31] MEX: 25.70 million[60] ARG: 1.35 million[32] BEL: 500,000[36] AUT: 385,000[37] POL: 530,000[38] FIN: 123,950[39] NZ: 367,500[40] POR: 315,000[b][42][176]	95 million[385]
Ariana Grande	United States	2008–present[386]	2013[386]	Pop / R&B[386]	206.56 million US: 138 million[12] JPN: 1.3 million[13][48] GER: 2.9 million[14] UK: 38.10 million[15] FRA: 2.074 million[17] CAN: 7.32 million[18] AUS: 4.695 million[19] BRA: 1.56 million[21] NLD: 140,000[22] ITA: 1.375 million[23] SPA: 410,000[55] SWE: 710,000[26] NOR: 3.180 million[116] DEN: 1.475 million[30] SWI: 460,000[31] MEX: 810,000[60] BEL: 270,000[36] AUT: 120,000[37] POL: 1.01 million[38] NZ: 502,500[40] POR: 185,000[84]	90 million[387]
Alicia Keys	United States	1996–present[388]	2001[388]	Hip-hop / R&B / pop[388]	99.9 million US: 78.050 million[12] JPN: 1.050 million[13][48] GER: 2.500 million[14] UK: 10.720 million[15] FRA: 1.127 million[17] CAN: 1.6 million[18] AUS: 2.170 million[19] NLD: 460,000[22] ITA: 310,000[b][23] SPA: 500,000[24] SWE: 200,000[26][56] DEN: 277,500[b][30][58] SWI: 275,000[31] MEX: 300,000[60] BEL: 185,000[36] AUT: 130,000[37] POL: 100,000[38]	90 million[389]
Tim McGraw	United States	1990–present[390]	1994[390]	Country[390]	82.3 million US: 80.65 million[12] UK: 200,000[15] CAN: 1.535 million[18]	90 million[391]
Lionel Richie	United States	1968–present[392]	1981[392]	Pop / R&B[392]	43.8 million US: 28.65 million[12] GER: 1.05 million[b][14] UK: 9.555 million[b][15] FRA: 1.4 million[b][16][17] CAN: 2.38 million[b][18] AUS: 260,000[b][19][393] BRA: 100,000[b][21] NLD: 605,000[22] SPA: 150,000[25][53] SWI: 170,000[b][31][57] BEL: 100,000[77]	90 million[394]
Johnny Cash	United States	1954–2003[395]	1956[395]	Country / rock and roll / gospel[395]	32.2 million US: 25.7 million[12] GER: 550,000[b][14] UK: 5.01 million[b][15] CAN: 490,000[b][18] AUS: 522,500[b][19]	90 million[396]
Justin Timberlake	United States	1992–present[397]	2002[397]	Pop / R&B / neo soul[397]	93.31 million US: 53.32 million[12] JPN: 200,000[13][48] GER: 4.5 million[14] UK: 20.27 million[15] FRA: 778,000[17][49] CAN: 3.52 million[18] AUS: 2.915 million[19] BRA: 2.635 million[21] NLD: 185,000[22] ITA: 570,000[b][23] SPA: 250,000[55] SWE: 560,000[26] DEN: 1.125 million[58][30] SWI: 250,000[31] MEX: 710,000[60] BEL: 325,000[36] POL: 240,000[38] NZ: 227,500[40]	88 million[398]
R.E.M.	United States	1980–2011[399]	1983[399]	Alternative rock[399]	45.3 million US: 21.65 million[12] GER: 4.275 million[14] UK: 10.46 million[15] FRA: 1.45 million[16][17] CAN: 2.65 million[18] AUS: 1.03 million[b][19][20] BRA: 100,000[b][21] NLD: 100,000[22] ITA: 255,000[b][23] SPA: 1.1 million[24][25][54][55] SWE: 500,000[b][26] NOR: 135,000[b][27] DEN: 290,000[b][58][59][30] SWI: 450,000[b][31] ARG: 158,000[b][32][33] BEL: 210,000[b][35][36] AUT: 350,000[b][37] IRE: 127,500[b][109] NZ: 105,000[40]	85 million[400]
Kelly Clarkson	United States	2002–present[401]	2002[401]	Pop[401]	50.292 million US: 31 million[12] JPN: 200,000[13][48] GER: 1.35 million[14] UK: 10.46 million[15] FRA: 35,000[17] CAN: 1.4 million[18] AUS: 1.835 million[19] BRA: 110,000[21] NLD: 40,000[22] ITA: 50,000[23] SPA: 60,000[24] SWE: 140,000[26] NOR: 210,000[116] DEN: 420,000[58][30] MEX: 80,000[60] BEL: 50,000[36] NZ: 487,500[40] POR: 15,000[84]	82 million[402]
Post Malone	United States	2013–present[403]	2015[403]	Pop / R&B / hip-hop[403]	268.989 million US: 189 million[12] GER: 4.5 million[14] UK: 25.02 million[15] FRA: 1.533 million[17] CAN: 17.04 million[18] AUS: 12.64 million[19] BRA: 6.230 million[21] NLD: 640,000[22] ITA: 1.495 million[23] SPA: 750,000[24][25][54][55] SWE: 900,000[26] NOR: 420,000[116] DEN: 3.315 million[58][30] MEX: 1.26 million[60] BEL: 235,000[36] POL: 1.165 million[38] NZ: 2.400 million[40] POR: 446,000[84]	80 million[404]
Flo Rida	United States	2007–present[405]	2007[405]	Hip-hop / hip house /EDM[405]	90.7 million US: 61.5 million[12] JPN: 650,000[b][13][48] GER: 4.1 million[14] UK: 14.62 million[15] FRA: 225,000[17] CAN: 3.09 million[18] AUS: 3.605 million[b][19] ITA: 515,000[b][23] SPA: 140,000[55] SWE: 780,000[26] DEN: 420,000[b][30] SWI: 420,000[31] MEX: 330,000[60] AUT: 210,000[37] POL: 100,000[38] NZ: 247,500[40][41]	80 million[406]
Usher	United States	1991–present[407]	1994[407]	R&B / pop[407]	166.8 million US: 139.810 million[12] JPN: 750,000[13][48] GER: 2.2 million[14] UK: 15.125 million[15] FRA: 210,000[17] CAN: 3.21 million[18] AUS: 4.222 million[19] ITA: 225,000[b][23] SWE: 105,000[26][56] DEN: 382,500[b][30][59] SWI: 170,000[31] BEL: 120,000[36] MEX: 210,000[b][60] NZ: 150,000[40]	80 million[408]
The Black Eyed Peas	United States	1995–present[409]	1998[409]	Hip-hop / R&B / dance[409]	119 million US: 77.5 million[12] JPN: 1.25 million[13][48] GER: 5.2 million[14] UK: 14.6 million[15] FRA: 3.516 million[17] CAN: 3.1 million[18] AUS: 3.882 million[19] BRA: 2.635 million[21] NLD: 160,000[22] ITA: 1.9 million[b][23] SPA: 890,000[24] SWE: 350,000[26][56] DEN: 226,000[b][30][91][29][58] SWI: 540,000[31] MEX: 1.55 million[b][60] BEL: 560,000[36] AUT: 100,000[37] POL: 110,000[38] IRE: 135,000[b][109] NZ: 710,000[40][41] POR: 104,000[b][42][84]	80 million[410]
Van Halen	United States	1978–2020[411]	1978[411]	Hard rock / heavy metal[411]	65.2 million US: 57.8 million[12] JPN: 1.3 million[b][13][130] GER: 1.5 million[14] UK: 1.18 million[15] FRA: 400,000[16] CAN: 2.45 million[18] AUS: 175,000[b][19] BRA: 200,000[b][21] NLD: 200,000[22]	80 million[412]
Ayumi Hamasaki	Japan	1998–present[413]	1998[413]	J-pop / pop / dance / electronic[413]	64.5 million JPN: 64.5 million[13][48][124]	80 million[414][415]
Tom Petty	United States	1976–2017[416]	1977[416]	Rock[416]	36 million US: 31.75 million[12] GER: 500,000[14] UK: 1.86 million[15] CAN: 1.7 million[18] SWE: 200,000[b][26]	80 million[417]
Johnny Hallyday	France	1957–2017[418]	1960[418]	Rock / pop[418]	28.9 million FRA: 28.17 million[b][16][17][49][99][419] SWI: 268,000[b][31] BEL: 540,000[b][35][36]	80 million[420]

75 million to 79 million records

• 
  The Weeknd
• 
  Imagine Dragons
• 
  Luke Bryan
• 
  Green Day
• 
  Alabama
• 
  Nirvana

Artist	Country	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)[b]	Claimed sales
The Weeknd	Canada	2010–present[421]	2013[421]	Pop / R&B[421]	300.050 million US: 194.820 million[12] GER: 5.2 million[14] UK: 34.560 million[15] FRA: 3.483 million[17] CAN: 14.02 million[18] AUS: 11.99 million[19] BRA: 11.6 million[21] ITA: 4.79 million[23] SPA: 2.27 million[24] SWE: 2.180 million[56] NOR: 1.54 million[116] DEN: 5.15 million[30] SWI: 100,000[31] MEX: 1.43 million[60] BEL: 590,000[36] AUT: 240,000 [37] POL: 3.26 million[38] NZ: 2.085 million[40] POR: 742.500[84]	75 million[422]
Imagine Dragons	United States	2008–present[423]	2012[423]	Pop rock / electropop / pop[423]	179.7 million US: 130.5 million[12] GER: 5.450 million[14] UK: 15.8 million[15] FRA: 3.666 million[17] CAN: 4.640 million[18] AUS: 3.150 million[19] BRA: 7.460 million[21] ITA: 2.375 million[23] SPA: 1.650 million[24] SWE: 1.180 million[56] NOR: 555,000[116] DEN: 690,000[30] MEX: 510,000[60] BEL: 340,000[36] AUT: 572,500[37] POL: 790,000[38] NZ: 270,000[40] POR: 140,000[84]	75 million[424]
Luke Bryan	United States	2001–present[425]	2007[407]	Country / country pop[407]	108.9 million US: 106.5 million[12] UK: 400,000[15] CAN: 2.040 million[18]	75 million[426]
Tupac Shakur	United States	1991–1996[427]	1991[427]	Hip-hop[427]	64.1 million US: 52.7 million[12] GER: 1.150 million[14] UK: 8.195 million[15] FRA: 100,000[17] CAN: 820,000[18] AUS: 430,000[19][428] ITA: 150,000[23] NLD: 200,000[22] DEN: 355,000[b][30]	75 million[429]
Nirvana	United States	1987–1994[430]	1990[430]	Grunge / alternative rock[430]	95.7 million US: 61.6 million[12] JPN: 1.3 million[b][13] GER: 3.4 million[14] UK: 11.27 million[15] FRA: 2.6 million[16][17] CAN: 3.69 million[18] AUS: 4.302 million[b][19][193][431][297][432] BRA: 935,000[b][21] NLD: 250,000[22] ITA: 885,000[b][23] SPA: 860,000[24][25][54] SWE: 380,000[26] NOR: 125,000[b][27] DEN: 550,000[b][30] SWI: 190,000[31] MEX: 475,000[b][60] ARG: 522,000[32][33] BEL: 675,000[b][35][36] AUT: 230,000[b][37] POL: 430,000[b][38] NZ: 1 million[40][41] POR: 112.500[b][42][176]	75 million[433]
Green Day	United States	1987–present[434]	1994[409]	Punk rock / pop punk / alternative rock[434]	69.4 million US: 43.6 million[12] JPN: 2.3 million[13][48] GER: 2 million[14] UK: 13.710 million[15] FRA: 500,000[17][16] CAN: 2.420 million[18] AUS: 1.8 million[19] BRA: 480,000[21] ITA: 585,000[b][23] SPA: 250,000[24][25][54] SWE: 160,000[26] DEN: 414,000[b][30][91][59][92] SWI: 135,000[31] MEX: 150,000[b][60] ARG: 246,000[32][435] BEL: 115,000[36] AUT: 195,000[b][37] IRE: 270,000[b][109] NZ: 130,000[40][41]	75 million[436]
Alabama	United States	1972–present[437]	1980[437]	Country/pop rock[437]	58 million US: 56.8 million[12] CAN: 1.2 million[18]	75 million[438]
Oasis	United Kingdom	1991–2009[439] 2024–present[440]	1994[441]	Rock / Britpop[441]	63.6 million UK: 48.650 million[15] US: 7.5 million[12] GER: 1,250 million[14] CAN: 1.3 million[18] FRA: 700,000[17] AUS: 580,000[19] SWE: 300,000[56] SPA: 680,000[442] ITA: 755,000[b][23] JPN: 1.8 million[b][13][48] SWI: 120,000[b][31]	75 million[443]
R. Kelly	United States	1989–2019[444]	1991[445]	R&B / soul / hip-hop[445]	57 million US: 46.9 million[12] GER: 1.4 million[14] UK: 6.720 million[15] FRA: 825,000[17] CAN: 300,000[18] AUS: 140,000[19] NLD: 365,000[22] SWI: 100,000[31] BEL: 275,000[35][36]	75 million[446]
Robbie Williams	United Kingdom	1990–present[447]	1996[447]	Pop rock[447]	56.4 million US: 500,000[12] GER: 10.575 million[14] UK: 30.270 million[15] FRA: 2.695 million[17][49] CAN: 250,000[18] AUS: 2.905 million[19] NLD: 1.205 million[22] ITA: 470,000[b][23] SPA: 560,000[b][24][55] SWE: 445,000[26][56] DEN: 811,500[b][58][59][30][91][76] SWI: 1.018 million[31] MEX: 1.595 million[b][60] ARG: 462,000[32][33] BEL: 600,000[35][36] AUT: 947,500[37] POL: 140,000[38] FIN: 235,743[39] IRE: 135,000[b][109] NZ: 445,000[40] POR: 280,000[b][42][176]	75 million[448]
Bob Seger	United States	1961–present[449]	1967[449]	Rock / Hard rock/ Pop rock[449]	55.3 million US: 52.5 million[12] UK: 260,000[b][15] FRA: 2.6 million[16][17] CAN: 2.560 million[b][18]	75 million[450]
Kenny G	United States	1982–present[451]	1984[451]	Smooth jazz[451]	53.9 million US: 49.6 million[12] JPN: 700,000[b][13] UK: 360,000[15] CAN: 950,000[18] AUS: 525,000[b][19] BRA: 1.350 million[b][21] SPA: 450,000[25][54]	75 million[452]
Enya	Ireland	1982–present[453]	1987[453]	New-age / Celtic[453]	51.9 million US: 26.5 million[12] JPN: 4.6 million[b][13] GER: 4.3 million[14] UK: 6.010 million[15] FRA: 775,000[16][17] CAN: 1.540 million[18] AUS: 1.680 million[b][19][20] BRA: 1.650 million[b][21] NLD: 730,000[22] SPA: 1.760 million[24][54] SWE: 390,000[26] DEN: 150,000[b][28][454][455][149] SWI: 370,000[b][31] MEX: 125,000[b][60] ARG: 390,000[32] BEL: 510,000[b][36] AUT: 185,000[b][37] POL: 120,000[b][38] NZ: 135,000[40]	75 million[456]
Bryan Adams	Canada	1979–present[457]	1979[457]	Rock[457]	50.9 million US: 22 million[12] JPN: 650,000[b][13] GER: 4.450 million[14] UK: 11.715 million[15] FRA: 650,000[16][17][49] CAN: 5.120 million[18] AUS: 2.080 million[b][19][458] BRA: 100,000[b][21] NLD: 500,000[22] SPA: 450,000[b][25][54][55] SWE: 440,000[b][26] NOR: 185,000[b][27] DEN: 380,000[b][59][30] SWI: 805,000[b][31] BEL: 375,000[b][35][36] AUT: 400,000[b][37] POL: 110,000[b][77] FIN: 183,444[39] POR: 286,000[b][42][201]	75 million[459]
Bob Marley	Jamaica	1962–1981[460]	1975[460]	Reggae[460]	47.5 million US: 21.850 million[12] JPN: 200,000[b][13] GER: 1.750 million[14] UK: 14.840 million[15] FRA: 4.735 million[17] CAN: 600,000[18] AUS: 490,000[461][462] NLD: 420,000[b][22] ITA: 410,000[b][23] SPA: 500,000[b][25][53][54][55] SWE: 120,000[b][26] DEN: 160,000[58][30] SWI: 303,000[b][31] ARG: 376,000[b][32][33] BEL: 225,000[36] AUT: 125,000[b][37] NZ: 432,500[b][40][41]	75 million[463]
The Police	United Kingdom	1977–1986 2007–2008[464]	1978[464]	Pop / rock[464]	42.6 million US: 23.650 million[12] JPN: 100,000[b][13] GER: 1.775 million[14] UK: 10.660 million[15] FRA: 3.340 million[16][17][49] CAN: 875,000[18] AUS: 527,500[b][19][465][466] BRA: 170,000[b][21] NLD: 350,000[22] ITA: 205,000[b][23] SPA: 350,000[b][25][53][55] SWI: 100,000[b][31] MEX: 100,000[b][60] ARG: 228,000[b][32][33] BEL: 115,000[b][36] NZ: 105,000[40]	75 million[467]
Barry Manilow	United States	1973–present[468]	1973[468]	Pop / soft rock[468]	36.7 million US: 33.3 million[12] UK: 3.225 million[15] CAN: 400,000[b][18]	75 million[469]
Kiss	United States	1972–2023[470]	1974[470]	Hard rock / heavy metal[470]	29.1 million US: 26 million[12] JPN: 100,000[b][48] GER: 250,000[14] UK: 1 million[15] CAN: 1.495 million[b][18] AUS: 130,000[b][19] NLD: 200,000[b][22]	75 million[471]
Aretha Franklin	United States	1956–2018[472]	1961[472]	Soul / gospel / jazz / blues / R&B[472]	27 million US: 23.5 million[12] UK: 3.040 million[b][15] FRA: 275,000[b][16][17] CAN: 150,000[b][18] ITA: 110,000[b][23]	75 million[473]

See also

• Record production portal

• List of best-selling albums
  • List of best-selling albums by country
• List of best-selling singles
  • List of best-selling singles by country
• Best-selling artists by nationality
  • List of best-selling Belgian music artists
  • List of biggest-selling British music artists
  • List of estimated best-selling Italian music artists
  • List of best-selling Swedish music artists
• Best-selling artists by territory
  • List of best-selling music artists in Brazil
  • List of best-selling music artists in Finland
  • List of highest-certified music artists in Germany
  • List of best-selling music artists in Japan
  • List of best-selling female music artists in the United Kingdom
  • List of highest-certified music artists in the United States
• Best-selling artists by genre
  • List of best-selling Latin music artists
  • List of best-selling boy groups
  • List of best-selling girl groups
  • List of best-selling female rappers
  • List of best-selling gospel music artists
• IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year

Notes

1. Below you can get an understanding as to when certifications for songs are added to the total certified sales of the listed artists.

   • One lead artist and one featured artist. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both, the lead artist and the featured artist as both will have almost equal amount of part).
   • Two lead artists.(The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both lead artists as both will have almost equal amount of part).
   • Two lead artists and one featured artist. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both lead artists as well as the featured artist. Both lead artists will play a significant part in a song and the part of the featured artist also should be significant enough).
   • One lead artist and two featured artists. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of the lead artist and to the total of both featured artists as almost all should have equal amount of part).
2. Certification systems have been established periodically throughout the past half century; thus, certification databases are not able to cover all sales. Some (or all) records released and sold prior to a certification system's establishment year may not be found within the available searchable certification databases. Year of establishment (from largest market to smallest based on Retail Value each market generates respectively):^[9][10]

   • United States: 1958^[474]
   • Japan: 1989^[475]
   • Germany: 1975^[14]
   • United Kingdom: 1973^[476]
   • France: 1973^[477]
   • Canada: 1975^[478]
   • Australia: 1997^[19] (online certification-database has begun since 1997. Certifications; however, existed in Australia since the 1970s)
   • Brazil: 1990^[479]
   • Netherlands: 1978^[22]
   • Italy: 2009^[23] (online certification-database covers certifications issued since 2009. Certifications; however, have existed in Italy since the 1980s)^[57]
   • Spain: 1979^[53]
   • Sweden: 1987^[26]
   • Norway: 1993^[27]
   • Denmark: 2001^[58] (online certifications for Denmark start from 2001. Certifications; however, existed in Denmark since the early 1990s^[480])
   • Switzerland: 1989^[481]
   • Mexico: 1999^[482]
   • Argentina: 1980^[483]
   • Belgium: 1995^[484]
   • Austria: 1990^[37]
   • Poland: 1995^[38]
   • Finland: 1971^[485]
   • Ireland: 2005^[109]
   • New Zealand: July 1978^[40]
   • Portugal:^[42](online certification-database covers certifications issued since 2004. Certifications; however, have existed in Portugal since the 1980s)^[57]

   Certified sales might sometimes be larger than actual sales, if stores order more albums than they are able to sell, due to certifications generally being determined by shipments and not actual sales. Often, however, actual sales are larger than certified sales, since record labels must pay a fee to obtain certifications. Record companies often apply for certifications only when a record reaches a multiple-certification level, meaning certifications might not be visible in the databases for more than a short period of time after an album reached a certification level.^[486][487] As global music sales declined in the 2000s mostly due to CD burning and downloading from unauthorized sites, certification bodies opted to reduce their certification levels.^[488] See the changes in Certification-award-levels in the following markets:

   • United States^[489] (Note, U.S. certification-award-levels for singles before 1989 were: 1,000,000 for Gold and 2,000,000 for Platinum.^[490] Also, U.S. certification-awards for Shortform albums before September 1996 were: 250,000 for Gold and 500,000 for Platinum^[491])
   • Japan^[492][493]
   • Germany^[494] (Note, German certification-award-levels for singles before 1988 were: 500,000 for Gold and 1,000,000 for Platinum.^{[495][496][497][77][57]})
   • United Kingdom^[498]
   • France^{[499][477][500][501]}
   • Canada^[502] (Canadian certification-award-levels for singles before February 1982 were: 75,000 for Gold and 150,000 for Platinum^[503])
   • Brazil^{[504][505][506]}
   • Netherlands^[507]
   • Italy^{[23][508][509]}
   • Spain^[510][511]
   • Sweden^[512]
   • Norway^{[513][514][515][516][517]}
   • Denmark^{[480][518][519][520]}
   • Switzerland^[481]
   • Mexico^[521][522]
   • Argentina^[483]
   • Belgium^[523][524]
   • Austria:^{[523][525][526]}
   • Poland^[527][528]
   • Finland^[485]
   • New Zealand: (NZ certification-levels for singles before 1989 were: 10,000 for Gold, 20,000 for Platinum)^[529](NZ certification-levels for singles before June 2007 were: 5,000 for Gold, 10,000 for Platinum)^[530] (The levels for singles were adjusted again on June 17, 2016 from previous 7,500 for Gold, 15,000 for Platinum, to 15,000 for Gold, 30,000 for Platinum)^[531]
   • Portugal:^[532]