What artists have sold 100 million albums? (2023)

What artists have sold over 100 million albums?

Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney and Phil Collins are the only musicians to have sold over 100 million albums as a solo artist and member of a group.

In Michael Jackson's New York Times obituary, the singer is credited with selling a hundred million copies of his most popular album, “Thriller”—and with selling an “estimated” seven hundred and fifty million records worldwide over his career.

Top-selling artists worldwide as of 2022. Perhaps unsurprisingly, British rock band The Beatles are top of the list for best-selling artists worldwide, with 183 million units certified sales. Second is Garth Brooks with over 157 million units sales, followed by Elvis Presley with 139 million units.

Michael Jackson's Thriller, estimated to have sold 70 million copies worldwide, is the best-selling album ever. Jackson also currently has the highest number of albums on the list with five, Celine Dion has four, while the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Madonna and Whitney Houston each have three.

The top selling album of all time in the United States based on certified unit sales is currently the Eagles' Greatest Hits, with 38 million copies sold.

Over the course of Elvis' life, he achieved some of the highest accolades in music and film. It is estimated that more than one billion Elvis records have been sold worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history.

Elvis Presley (USA) is the best-selling solo artist, with 1 billion sales worldwide (129.5 million in the USA).

Rockers Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks sold the rights to their individual music and their work together in the band Genesis to Concord Music Group Inc. for more than $300 million, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, becoming the latest music legends to cash in on their catalogs for a hefty sum.

Who just sold their music for 500 million?

Bruce Springsteen sold the rights to his music in a $500 million deal.

4 Billion Records owner Thabo Mantshiu said his label welcomed the news. "Spotify will make a difference - our music will be heard, our music will be out there," he said. "With ITunes you need an iPhone, with Spotify you can use any phone, which creates a bigger space.”

The Carpenters have sold more than 90 million records worldwide.

According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (1942) as performed by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.

Adele's 21 is the best-selling album of the 21st century to date, with sales of over 31 million copies worldwide. Her third album 25, is also on the list with sales of over 23 million copies.

The Eagles' Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) is the best-selling album of all time in the U.S.

Certified Sales: 30.4 Million

Shania Twain is a huge Country crossover artist, merging into the Pop genre. She was so huge at the time that her 1997 album Come On Over is now way up this list.

Since the RIAA introduced its awards on 14 March 1958, Elvis Presley holds the record for the most platinum certificates for both albums and singles with 82.

Who has the most diamond songs?

The RIAA gives diamond certifications to songs that have gone platinum 10 times. Only 97 songs in history have been certified diamond and 19 artists have multiple songs on the list. Bruno Mars has the most with six, followed by Post Malone and Drake with five apiece.

Garth Brooks holds the record for most diamond-certified albums, with nine. Others with three or more albums that have reached diamond status include The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Shania Twain and the Eagles.

In terms of numbers, The Beatles have sold 36.5 million more albums in the U.S. than Elvis, yet Elvis sold 25.5 million more singles than The Beatles. Since albums usually contain 10-12 more songs than singles, The Beatles would clearly be the winner in terms of U.S. record sales.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Elvis Presley sold 146.5 million albums, which is 62.5 more than Michael Jackson, who sold 84 million albums. If you ask an Elvis Presley fan, it clearly is Elvis.

Jackson has sold over 1 billion records worldwide and he is one of three recording artists (along with Paul McCartney and Phil Collins) and the first American artist who have sold over 100 million records worldwide both as solo artists and (separately) as principal members of a band.

Garth Brooks has received seven Diamond awards for seven individual albums from the RIAA for selling over ten million units each, a feat only he can claim, and is the No. 1 selling solo artist in U.S. history certified by the RIAA with over 138 million album sales.

So far, only seven hip hop records have reached the Diamond status that signifies 10 million certified album units sold in the US. Such artists as Jay Z, Kanye West, Drake, and Dr. Dre, while having many other accolades imaginable, are yet to reach this milestone in their careers.

On the 16th anniversary of 50 Cent's sophomore album, “The Massacre,” 50 celebrates the success of his debut album.

The first record to sell over a million copies was 'Vesti la giubba' from Leoncavallo's I Pagliacci, sung by the Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso (1873–1921).

Pink Floyd – 75 million certified units.

Barbra Streisand – 68.5 million certified units.

What is the biggest music deal ever?

Jay-Z's $150 million Live Nation deal in 2008 also made the cut, as did Lil Wayne's $150 million Cash Money deal in 2012. And prior to Drake's historic deal, Michael Jackson held the top spot as having the largest deal in music history, with $250 million going to his estate in 2010 from Sony Music.

Sony Music Publishing (formerly Sony/ATV Music Publishing) is the largest music publisher in the world, with over five million songs owned or administered as of end March 2021.

Springsteen sold his catalogue to Sony for an estimated $550 million. The company also acquired Simon's catalogue for an estimated $250 million. Bowie's estate sold his to Warner Chappell Music for “a price upwards of $250 million,” according to Variety.

U2 have become the annual highest-earning musicians five times, more than any other act. Michael Jackson is the first musician to earn over $100 million in a year (1989), and has become the top-earning male soloist a record seven times. Dr.

"Midnights" by Taylor Swift

It's already the biggest debut sales week of her career, surpassing "1989." Swift is the only artist in history to have five different albums with million-selling weeks. Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and Eminem trail with two apiece.

Taylor Swift Is the First Artist to Sell 1 Million Records in Week One Since… Taylor Swift in 2017.

During his extraordinary career, Michael Jackson sold more than a billion records worldwide, released 13 No. 1 singles and became one of a handful of artists to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The RIAA began its certifications in 1958, therefore, popular artists from earlier eras are generally not represented on this list. As of December 16, 2022, The Beatles have the highest total certified albums and Drake has the highest total certified digital singles.

Michael Jackson — $400 million. Elvis Presley — $40 million. Arnold Palmer — $35 million. Charles Schulz — $34 million.

Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" Is the Fastest-Selling Diamond Record of All Time.