Who is the #1 selling artist of all time?
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.
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 – 146.5 million units. Eagles – 101 million units. Billy Joel – 82.5 million units. Michael Jackson – 81 million units.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Michael Jackson — $400 million. Elvis Presley — $40 million. Arnold Palmer — $35 million. Charles Schulz — $34 million.
Who sold the most vinyl records of all time?
1/ Thriller - Michael Jackson - 27 million vinyl records sold. Who else but the King of Pop for the top step of the podium?
- Fleetwood Mac — “Rumours” ...
- Hootie & the Blowfish — “Cracked Rear View” ...
- Pink Floyd — “The Wall” ...
- Led Zeppelin — “Zeppelin IV” ...
- The Beatles — “The Beatles” ...
- AC/DC — “Back in Black” ...
- Eagles — “Hotel California” ...
- Michael Jackson— “Thriller”

However, Michael Jackson still reigns supreme over Drake when it comes to the most consecutive No. 1 singles (5 to Drake's 2). Thriller, meanwhile, remains the best-selling album of all time with a reported 100 million copies sold worldwide.
Three of Drake's LPs have sold over five million copies, which is astounding for any artist over the past decade, rap or otherwise. Well, from 1979 to his death in 2009, Jackson released seven albums, and his only sold under eight million copies twice — again, mostly physical copies.
With 13 No. 1s – and one more to which he contributed vocals – Jackson leads the list of male artists with the most chart-topping hits.
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.
“Bodak Yellow” is now certified RIAA DIAMOND in the US! Cardi becomes the first female rapper in HISTORY to have an RIAA diamond song. “WAP” has also been certified 5x PLATINUM.
Madonna is recognized by Guinness World Records as the "Best-selling female recording artist of all time".
Through his business ventures Jay-Z has become the first hip-hop billionaire. In 1999, he founded the clothing retailer Rocawear, and in 2003, he founded the luxury sports bar chain 40/40 Club. Both businesses have grown to become multi-million-dollar corporations, and allowed him to start up Roc Nation in 2008.
Did Lil Wayne sell 1 million copies?
As some predicted it probably would, Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III has sold more than a million copies in a single week (exact number: 1,005,545), the first album to do so since 50 Cent's The Massacre in March 2005.
Eminem Tops the List of Best-Selling Singles Artists of All Time.
Popularity ranking | Artist | |
---|---|---|
01 | Drake | Track artist |
02 | Rihanna | Track artist |
03 | Coldplay | Track artist |
04 | Eminem | Track artist |
...
Michael Jackson is now the Greatest Solo Selling Artist of All Time!
# | 1 |
---|---|
ARTIST | The Beatles |
TOTAL CSPC | 415,436,000 |
STUDIO ALBUMS SALES | 160,650,000 |
OTHER LPS SALES | 203,392,000 |
- 250 million or more records. The Beatles. Elvis Presley. Michael Jackson. Elton John. Queen. Madonna. Led Zeppelin. Artist. Country. Period active. ...
- 200 million to 249 million records. Eminem. Mariah Carey. Taylor Swift. Beyoncé Whitney Houston. Eagles. Celine Dion. Artist. Country. Period active.
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.
For the unversed, Rapper King is also known by names such as King Rocco and Badnaam Raja, however, his real name is Arpan Kumar Chandel. The rapper has performed with many iconic celebrities such as Raftaar, Nucleya, Raja Kumari and others. Advertisement.
Eminem. Hailed as one of the best rappers ever – Marshall Bruce Mathers III, aka Eminem and “Kind of Hip Hop”, is THE best selling solo rapper of all time, and one of the largest selling musicians of the century. Eminem's LP “The Marshall Mathers” sold almost 11 million copies in the USA alone.
- 1 Taylor Swift97%
- 2 Lady Gaga97%
- 3 Justin Bieber97%
- 4 Beyoncé97%
- 5 Adele96%
- 6 Kanye West96%
- 7 Miley Cyrus96%
- 8 Katy Perry96%
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.
What's Michael Jackson's most sold song?
"Thriller" was released in November 1983 and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. The single sold 10 million copies in the US alone, making it Jackson's best-selling single.
In his will, MJ left 40 per cent of his assets to his three children, to be split equally. Twenty per cent of his wealth was left to multiple children's charities and the 40 per cent that was left all went to his mother, Katherine.
Elvis held Roy Orbison is very high regard, publicly stating that Roy had ' most perfect voice' and referring to him as the 'greatest singer in the world' during one of his Vegas concerts. And Roy's respect was mutual, he went to Elvis' concerts from 1954 to 1976.
1) Elvis Presley (1935- 1977): Elvis Presley sold more albums than any other individual music artist in history, and the second most overall (the Beatles sold more).
References
- https://razorbackswire.usatoday.com/2022/09/29/arkansas-alabama-losing-streak-winning-streak-14-years-football/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_certification
- https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2021-01-12/college-football-coaches-most-national-championships
- https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/every-sec-teams-record-points-game/
- https://www.fanduel.com/theduel/posts/head-coaches-that-have-shockingly-gotten-the-best-of-nick-saban-in-career-head-to-head-record-01eafpx99ybm
- https://www.ncaa.com/live-updates/football/fbs/tennessee-beats-alabama-final-play-high-scoring-thriller
- https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/nick-saban-record-alabama-assistants-lane-kiffin-jimbo-fisher/s4870yug8udy1wnkmrzex9cig
- https://fansided.com/2021/10/22/alabama-football-rivals-ranked/
- https://www.almonline.org/Assets/Files/LegalServices/OrientationConference2016Resources/Public-Records-2016-Orientation.pdf
- https://bryantmuseum.com/traditions_alabama/national_championships/
- https://www.marca.com/en/more-sports/2022/01/10/61dc6abbca47418a7b8b4574.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Lewis_(gridiron_football)
- https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/bryce-young-breaks-alabama-single-game-passing-record-blackwell
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_albums
- https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/alabama-football/what-happens-after-nick-saban-loses-a-game/
- https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/confidential-records
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbes_list_of_highest-earning_musicians
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mitchell_(American_football_coach)
- https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2022-12-04/teams-most-college-football-playoff-wins-and-appearances
- https://twitter.com/thatericalper/status/1365194947834568705
- https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_singles
- https://discover.ticketmaster.co.uk/news/most-streamed-song-55581/
- https://theathletic.com/3687717/2021/11/27/no-3-alabama-beats-auburn-24-22-in-4-overtimes-with-dramatic-iron-bowl-comeback/
- https://www.statista.com/chart/22381/artists-with-the-most-number-1-hits-in-the-us/
- https://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide/alabama/
- https://dknation.draftkings.com/2022/1/10/22867083/alabama-national-championship-game-title-history-how-many-times-have-crimson-tide-won-bcs-cfp-ap
- https://mynbc15.com/news/local/a-second-chance-alabama-approves-expungement-bill-04-25-2021
- https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/college-football/texas-am-vs-alabama-football-series-history-sgc/
- https://www.secsports.com/roster/football/alabama-crimson-tide
- https://www.graceland.com/achievements
- https://daytrippin.com/2015/12/01/who-was-bigger-elvis-presley-or-the-beatles/
- https://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2021-01-05/college-football-teams-most-heisman-trophy-winners
- https://www.insider.com/best-selling-albums-all-time-one-week-2021-10
- https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/has-nfl-game-ever-ended-0-0
- https://today.yougov.com/ratings/entertainment/fame/contemporary-music-artists/all
- https://sports.nbcsports.com/2022/11/15/who-is-the-only-remaining-undefeated-team-in-the-nfl/
- https://governor.alabama.gov/contact/public-records-requests/
- https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/lists/texas-football-longhorns-alabama-crimson-tide-series-history-matchup-record-win-2022/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_football_teams_by_wins
- https://yellowhammernews.com/texas-am-hands-tide-first-loss-to-an-unranked-team-since-2007/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_singles
- https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/alabama-football/6-losses-that-still-annoy-every-alabama-football-fan/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_bowl_games
- https://www.backgroundchecks.com/our-data/coverage-map/alabama-state-background-check
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2648342-alabama-football-10-best-players-in-crimson-tides-history
- https://rolltidewire.usatoday.com/lists/alabama-crimson-tide-football-texas-am-respond-regular-season-loss/
- https://recordhead.biz/top-10-highest-selling-albums-of-all-time/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kool-Aid_McKinstry
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama%E2%80%93Georgia_football_rivalry
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_(band)
- https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3151738/whos-richest-jackson-familys-net-worths-ranked-michaels
- https://eminem.news/7-hip-hop-diamond-albums.html
- https://www.theo2.co.uk/news/detail/artists-who-have-sold-over-150-million-records
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/271174/top-selling-artists-in-the-united-states/
- https://www.nfl.com/100/originals/100-greatest/teams-7
- https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/sec-football/every-sec-teams-all-time-conference-record/
- https://www.britannica.com/list/10-best-sports-rivalries-of-all-time
- https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/college-football/lsu-vs-alabama-football-series-history-sgc/
- https://rolltidewire.usatoday.com/2022/07/18/alabama-football-jaylen-waddle-jameson-williams-madden-23-speed-rating/
- https://www.quora.com/When-was-the-last-time-Alabama-lost-to-an-unranked-team
- https://alexaanswers.amazon.com/question/3F2EVzZ2dbkuafsH3VmZvw
- https://routenote.com/blog/biggest-artists-in-the-world/
- https://247sports.com/college/alabama/Article/Alabama-hasnt-lost-many-games-in-15-years-under-Nick-Saban-and-usually-bounces-back-from-occasional-losses-with-a-win-196056420/
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/227816-the-crimson-cringe-alabamas-10-worst-losses-over-the-past-20-years
- https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_greatest_singing_voices_of_all_time/s1__29698463
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_albums_of_the_21st_century
- https://www.enca.com/life/will-spotify-be-a-game-changer-for-sa-music-artists
- https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/alabama-football/inside-numbers-alabama-winning-streak-vs-unranked-teams/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/eminem-tops-list-best-selling-singles-artists-of-all-time-2022-3
- https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/international/harry-styles-replaces-ed-sheeran-become-richest-uk-celebrity-aged-30-net-worth-116-million/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_college_football_coaches_with_200_wins
- https://www.profootballhof.com/hall-of-famers/colleges/
- https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/garth-brooks-surpasses-elvis-presley-in-album-sales-again-79447/
- https://bamahammer.com/2022/05/09/coaching-nick-saban-sec-not-sound-career-move/
- https://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2014/09/todays-music-news-the-beatles-are-still-bigger-than-beyonce-barely
- https://www.gatorsports.com/story/football/2022/10/21/tennessee-goalpost-volunteers-beat-alabama-sec-fine/10530801002/
- https://www.thisisdig.com/ed-sheeran-uk-biggest-selling-albums-artist-2020s/
- https://clutchpoints.com/alabama-football-news-crimson-tides-insane-streak-not-seen-since-1936-continues-after-narrow-win-over-texas
- https://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/the_greatest_players_in_alabama_football_history/s1__37788519
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama%E2%80%93Florida_football_rivalry
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_Music_Publishing
- https://backgroundchecks.org/alabama-public-records.html
- https://bamahammer.com/2022/01/27/alabama-football-eight-5-stars-2022-class/
- https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/the_most_underappreciated_bands_of_all_time/s1__37691898
- https://www.roadiemusic.com/blog/the-5-most-covered-songs-of-all-time/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_female_music_artists
- https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/alabama-in-familiar-but-infrequent-regular-season-situation
- https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2022/09/texas-6-other-schools-with-winning-records-vs-alabama.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay-Z
- https://www.themiamihurricane.com/2021/10/06/is-drake-really-as-big-as-michael-jackson-or-is-that-just-disrespectful/
- https://www.houstonpress.com/music/beyonc-vs-the-world-whos-the-biggest-pop-star-8776733
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/189411/top-selling-albums-in-the-united-states-since-1991/
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2663553-toppling-the-giant-how-to-beat-nick-saban
- https://www.songkick.com/leaderboards/popular_artists
- https://tdalabamamag.com/2022/03/05/alabama-wr-signee-isaiah-bond-records-fastest-time-in-the-country-in-200-meter-dash/
- https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/who-has-the-most-national-championships-in-college-football/
- https://www.universitysupplystore.com/rivalry_infographic.asp
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1955_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_team
- https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/elvis-the-most-influential-singer-of-all-time.shtml
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_football_managers_with_most_games
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/articles/3c824721-6f0f-4561-bcbd-d3e56c640eb1
- https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/elvis-presley
- https://www.vulture.com/2021/03/cardi-b-bodak-yellow-certified-diamond-history.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_all-time_NFL_win%E2%80%93loss_records
- https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/70111-most-platinum-riaa-certificates
- https://www.today.com/popculture/10-best-rock-bands-ever-2d80554936
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_music_artists
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/09/22/rolling-stone-new-500-greatest-albums-marvin-gaye-beach-boys/3495555001/
- https://www.telltalesonline.com/46043/best-selling-male-artists/
- https://fanbuzz.com/college-football/sec/alabama/best-alabama-quarterbacks/
- https://www.musicweek.com/talent/read/after-37-weeks-ed-sheeran-s-moves-ahead-of-adele-s-30-to-top-2020s-sales-rankings/086311
- https://clutchpoints.com/5-greatest-alabama-football-players-of-all-time-ranked
- https://en.as.com/latest_news/spotify-wrapped-2022-who-are-the-most-streamed-artist-of-the-year-in-the-us-n/
- https://www.si.com/college/alabama/history/say-what-you-will-about-texas-winning-record-against-alabama
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_in_the_NFL_draft
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_200
- https://www.decluttr.com/blog/2018/07/31/which-artist-has-sold-the-most-albums/
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1482095-alabama-football-power-ranking-the-tides-best-qbs-of-all-time
- https://southboundanddown.com/2017/08/14/alabama-football-under-saban-losing-rarity-tuscaloosa/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football
- https://www.musicmagpie.co.uk/blog/2015/05/12/which-bands-and-singers-have-released-the-most-albums/
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/08/16/drake-breaks-beatles-record-top-five-hits-billboard-hot-100/10343077002/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_under_Nick_Saban
- https://www.insider.com/artists-singers-with-multiple-diamond-certified-songs-riaa-2022-7
- https://ledgernote.com/blog/interesting/best-bands-of-all-time/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39703980
- https://phonotribe.com/article/the-15-best-selling-vinyl-records-of-all-time
- https://news.yahoo.com/drake-vs-michael-jackson-numbers-193615223.html
- https://stmargarets.london/archives/2012/09/the_first_million_seller.html
- https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/sports/2016/10/15/who-is-alabamas-biggest-rival/25199704007/
- https://www.profootballnetwork.com/best-alabama-running-backs-in-nfl/
- https://fansided.com/2022/01/10/how-many-national-championships-nick-saban-won/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama%E2%80%93Ole_Miss_football_rivalry
- https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.64636/title.billboard-sets-off-drake-vs-michael-jackson-debate-with-numbers-to-back-it-up
- https://www.insider.com/number-1-songs-chart-longest-leaders-billboard-hot-100
- https://bamahammer.com/2022/11/30/tumultuous-2022-season-alabama-football/
- https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2021/12/16/22840078/bruce-springsteen-sold-his-music-for-500-million
- https://www.jacksonville.com/story/sports/college/football/2018/07/19/malzahn-unique-among-current-sec-coaches-hes-beaten-saban/11446105007/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Michael_Jackson_records_and_achievements
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_head_football_coaches
- https://www.riaa.com/michael-jacksons-thriller-first-ever-30x-multi-platinum-riaa-certification/
- https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/the-extra-point-two-loss-season-unusual-territory-for-alabama
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson_singles_discography
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Saturday_in_October
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2613628-alabama-may-have-the-most-loaded-roster-in-college-football-history
- https://www.vulture.com/2008/06/lil_wayne_sells_one_million_al.html
- https://www.thisdayinmusic.com/liner-notes/yesterday/
- https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/story/
- https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/elvis-presley/frank-sinatra-duet-1960-video/
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michelangelo
- https://www.titlemax.com/discovery-center/lifestyle/the-top-earning-dead-celebrities-of-the-past-5-years/
- https://www.elvis.com.au/presley/roy-orbison-talks-about-elvis-presley-and-only-the-lonely.shtml
- https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/bamacentral-22-for-22-who-are-alabamas-three-biggest-rivals-blackwell
- https://iprospectcheck.com/alabama-background-check/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_seasons
- https://www.billboard.com/pro/beyonce-passes-nicki-minaj-top-10-hits-mainstream-rb-hip-hop-chart-top-off/
- https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/first-million-seller-record
- https://www.mjvibe.com/michael-jackson-is-now-the-greatest-solo-selling-artist-of-all-time/
- https://tide1009.com/the-10-greatest-athletes-from-alabama/
- https://www.koimoi.com/television/rapper-king-reacts-to-the-success-of-his-latest-music-album-champagne-talk-as-it-crosses-50-million-views-on-youtube/
- https://garthbrooks.com/news/garth-celebrates-7th-diamond-award
- https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/adeles-favorite-music
- https://themadameblue.com/blog/how-bts-is-dominating-the-globe/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama%E2%80%93LSU_football_rivalry
- https://rolltidewire.usatoday.com/lists/alabama-football-throwback-thursday-the-moments-that-defined-alabamas-41-38-loss-to-texas-am-in-2021/
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/525661-alabama-crimson-tide-vs-auburn-tigers-some-quick-facts
- https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/22_singers_who_have_broken_multiple_world_records/s1__31303913
- https://bamahammer.com/2022/10/22/alabama-football-bryce-young-best-qb/
- https://www.mpl.live/blog/managers-with-most-trophies-in-football/
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10045694-alabamas-will-anderson-jr-bryce-young-voted-top-2022-cfb-players-in-espn-survey
- https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-underdog-georgia-national-championship-162657152.html
- https://www.decluttr.com/blog/2019/10/15/the-10-best-selling-rappers-of-all-time/
- https://1819news.com/news/item/remember-the-last-time-tennessee-beat-alabama
- https://oma.od.nih.gov/DMS/Pages/Records-Management-Record-Types.aspx
- https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/alabama-football/alabama-all-time-record-sec/
- https://247sports.com/college/alabama/LongFormArticle/Alabama-Football-Everything-Nick-Saban-said-after-loss-at-Tennessee-Vols-Bryce-Young-195527139/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Sheeran
- https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/best-selling-solo-artist
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2018/08/29/ranking-michael-jacksons-no-1-hits-honor-his-60th-birthday/1112672002/