- 104.1 Million units sold
Start Me Up? The Stones never stopped! These rock 'n' roll juggernauts have been satisfaction-guaranteed for six decades and counting. They're the only band to have an album hit #1 in six different decades. That's some serious longevity. Their 2005-2007 A Bigger Bang tour grossed a whopping $558 million, proving that time is indeed on their side.
From their early blues covers to stadium-shaking anthems like "Start Me Up," the Stones have reinvented themselves more times than Mick's shimmied across the stage. With eight #1 singles and 14 #1 albums in the US alone, these rockers show no signs of gathering moss. Keith Richards might have snorted his father's ashes, but the Stones' legacy is anything but dust in the wind.
- 124.8 Million units sold
Welcome to the Machine! Pink Floyd’s magnum opus, "The Dark Side of the Moon," spent a record-breaking 937 weeks on the Billboard charts. That's 18 years! Remember the flying pig over Battersea Power Station? That "Animals" album cover is nearly as iconic as the music itself.
Floyd's evolution mirrored the cultural shifts of their time. "The Wall" spawned a trippy film and legendary live shows. Pink Floyd's 1994 Division Bell tour remains one of the highest-grossing of all time, raking in $250 million. With their innovative use of sound effects and pioneering live shows, Floyd showed that rock could be both cerebral and spectacular. Wish You Were Here? We always are when Floyd's playing.
- 143.1 Million units sold
These British blues-rock alchemists turned heavy riffs into gold, defining the sound of 70s rock. Their untitled fourth album (you know, the one with "Stairway to Heaven") is one of the best-selling albums of all time, moving 37 million copies. Speaking of "Stairway," it's been played on the radio over 3 million times.
From John Bonham's drums on "When the Levee Breaks" (sampled by everyone from Beastie Boys to Beyoncé) to Jimmy Page's double-necked guitar, Zeppelin created a blueprint for rock excess and excellence. They might have called it a day in 1980, but we're still Dazed and Confused by their magic.
- 144.28 Million units sold
The heart does go on, and so does Celine Dion's incredible career. This French-Canadian singer has been hitting those high notes and making us cry since the 90s. Her theme from "Titanic" is the second best-selling single by a female artist in history, moving 18 million copies worldwide.
She's sold out 1,141 shows during her two Las Vegas residencies, redefining what a Vegas act could be. Celine has five Grammys, four Guinness World Records, and even the Order of Canada under her belt. From "The Power of Love" to "Because You Loved Me," her power ballads have soundtracked countless weddings and karaoke nights. With sales in both English and French, Celine's truly an international icon.
- 153.7 Million units sold
Welcome to the Hotel California, where the Eagles have been checking in hit after hit since the 70s. Their "Greatest Hits 1971-1975" is the best-selling album of the 20th century in the U.S., shifting 38 million copies. Take it easy? Not these guys! "Hotel California" alone has sold over 32 million copies worldwide.
Their 1994 reunion Hell Freezes Over tour was one of the highest-grossing of all time, proving that absence really does make the heart grow fonder. From "Desperado" to "Life in the Fast Lane," their harmonies and guitar work defined the California sound. With five #1 singles, ten top-ten hits, and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, the Eagles' peaceful, easy feeling is here to stay.
- 164.9 Million units sold
The Voice. That's all you need to say, and everyone knows you're talking about Whitney Houston. This pop-gospel powerhouse's rendition of "I Will Always Love You" spent a record-breaking 14 weeks at #1 and is still the best-selling single by a woman in music history. Whitney is one of the only artists to chart seven consecutive #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits.
Her 1991 Super Bowl national anthem was so good, it was released as a single and hit the Top 20! From "The Bodyguard" soundtrack (still the best-selling soundtrack of all time) to her MTV unplugged album, Whitney's voice was simply unmatched. Despite her tragic end, her influence lives on. I Will Always Love You? You bet we will, Whitney.
- 172.1 Million units sold
For those about to rock, we salute AC/DC! These Aussie rockers have been thunderstruck-ing audiences for nearly 50 years. Their 1980 album "Back in Black" is the second best-selling album of all time, shifting 50 million copies worldwide. Not bad for a band that's been pronounced dead time and time again. They sold 1.3 million copies of "Black Ice" exclusively through Walmart in 2008.
Despite lineup changes and the loss of Malcolm Young, AC/DC keeps on rolling. Their power-chord simplicity has influenced everyone from Guns N' Roses to Foo Fighters. With Angus Young still duck-walking across stages in his schoolboy uniform at 65+, AC/DC proves that rock 'n' roll never retires.
- 188.2 Million units sold
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? No, it's Queen. These rock royals made music and created anthems. "Bohemian Rhapsody" spent 9 weeks at UK #1 in 1975-76. Fast forward to 2018, and the song became the most-streamed 20th-century song. Talk about staying power.
Their 1985 Live Aid performance is often called the greatest live show ever. Six minutes that rocked the world! Freddie's four-octave range, Brian May's homemade guitar, Roger Taylor's falsetto, and John Deacon's bass lines created a sound like no other. With 2 number one hits, 4 top-ten hits, and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Queen's legacy is set in stone. Don't stop them now? They never will!
- 189.7 Million units sold
The Material Girl is a cultural phenomenon. Madonna Louise Ciccone has been pushing buttons and boundaries since the 80s. Her 2008-2009 Sticky & Sweet Tour held the record for highest-grossing tour by a female artist ever—raking in $584 million—until Taylor Swift’s recent Eras Tour. That's a lot of cone bras.
With 38 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, she's the most successful female solo artist in chart history. From "Like a V" to "Vogue" to her 2012 Super Bowl halftime show, Madonna's always been ahead of the curve. She's got 7 Grammys, 20 VMAs, and even 2 Golden Globes for acting. At 65+, she's still pushing boundaries and making headlines.
- 200.1 Million units sold
Weezy F. Baby, and the F is for phenomenal. This New Orleans native has been spitting fire since he was a teenager. Wayne's "Tha Carter III" sold a million copies in its first week—the last rapper to do that until Drake in 2018. Remember when he released 100 songs in 2007 alone? Prolific.
Tunechi has 5 Grammys and 26 BET Awards under his belt. His "Lollipop" spent 5 weeks at #1 in 2008, becoming one of the best-selling ringtones of all time (remember ringtones?). Beyond his own career, Wayne's Young Money label launched superstars like Drake and Nicki Minaj. From his face tattoos to his gravelly voice, Lil Wayne is a hip-hop icon who's influenced a whole generation of artists. Best Rapper Alive? Many would agree.
- 206.7 Million units sold
From Elvis impersonator to 24K Magic man, Bruno Mars has moonwalked his way into pop superstardom. This Hawaiian hitmaker has more #1 singles than any other male artist of the past decade. "Uptown Funk" spent 14 weeks at #1, tying the record for longest-running #1 hit of the 2010s.
He's got the Midas touch as a producer too. His work with Mark Ronson and Anderson Paak has spawned multiple hits. Mars has won 15 Grammys and performed at the Super Bowl halftime show twice—once solo and once with Coldplay and Beyoncé. From doo-wop to funk to R&B, Bruno's retro-modern sound keeps evolving while staying infectiously catchy.
- 215.1 Million units sold
The Rocket Man isn't just a singer; he's a glitter-covered, piano-playing icon. Sir Elton has over 50 Top 40 hits in the UK and US, spanning five decades. "Candle in the Wind 1997" became the best-selling single since charts began when it moved 33 million copies worldwide.
He's raised over $600 million for HIV/AIDS causes through his foundation. From "Your Song" to the Lion King soundtrack, his tunes are woven into the fabric of pop culture. His farewell tour, "Farewell Yellow Brick Road," grossed over $358 million in 2019 alone. And let's not forget his legendary Las Vegas residency "The Million Dollar Piano"—197 shows of pure Elton extravaganza.
- 223.2 Million units sold
Love him or hate him, Chris Brown's impact on R&B is undeniable. Breezy burst onto the scene in 2005 with "Run It!" and hasn't slowed down since. His 2017 album "Heartbreak on a Full Moon" was a massive 45-track double album that still debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200.
Chris has racked up 8 #1 albums on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. His Michael Jackson tribute at the 2010 BET Awards was pure electricity. Despite personal controversies, his music keeps evolving—"Go Crazy" with Young Thug was inescapable in 2020. Brown's mix of smooth vocals and killer dance moves keeps fans coming back for more.
- 224.50 Million units sold
Dahling, Mariah Carey is more than just a diva; she's a vocal phenomenon. With a five-octave range and those signature whistle notes, Mimi's been hitting high notes and topping charts since the 90s. Did you know she's had a #1 hit in four different decades? That's nothing to sniff at.
Her "All I Want for Christmas Is You" breaks records every holiday season—it hit #1 again in 2020, 26 years after its release. Mariah has 19 #1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, more than any solo artist in history. From "Vision of Love" to her Vegas residency, the Songbird Supreme keeps soaring.
- 248.1 Million units sold
From Destiny's Child to "Renaissance," Queen Bey has been serving up empowerment anthems and visual feasts for decades. Remember when she dropped her self-titled album with zero warning in 2013? That changed the game for surprise releases. Her Coachella 2018 performance was so iconic, they renamed it "Beychella."
With 32 Grammys, she's the most-awarded and most-nominated female artist in history. "Lemonade" was a cultural moment that had everyone asking, "Who's Becky with the good hair?" Bey's not just a singer; she's a movement. Her BeyGOOD initiative has been providing scholarships and disaster relief since 2013. From "Crazy in Love" to "Break My Soul," Beyoncé keeps leveling up while staying flawlessly herself.
- 234.7 Million units sold
The King hasn't left the building, folks. Elvis Presley shook up more than just his hips—he revolutionized popular music. With 7 #1 hits and 25 top ten hits, Elvis dominated the charts like no one before him. His 1956 appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show drew 60 million viewers—a whopping 82.6% of the TV audience. His version of "Hound Dog" stayed at #1 for 11 weeks in 1956.
Elvis wasn't just about music; he starred in 31 feature films and his '68 Comeback Special is still talked about today. Even decades after his death, Elvis is everywhere. Graceland attracts over 500,000 visitors annually. From "Blue Suede Shoes" to "Suspicious Minds", The King's music continues to inspire new generations. Thank you, thank you very much.
- 275.3 Million units sold
This ginger-haired troubadour went from couch-surfing to stadium-filling faster than you can say "Shape of You". Speaking of which, that track was Spotify's most-streamed song ever, with over 3 billion plays until “Blinding Lights” came along. Not too shabby for a guy who started out busking. Ed's "÷" tour grossed $776 million, and is the third highest-grossing tour of all time.
He has 4 Grammys and was even made a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Remember when he had a cameo in Game of Thrones? Classic Ed, always full of surprises. From writing hits for Justin Bieber to collaborating with Eminem, Sheeran's got range. His 2021 single "Bad Habits" spent 11 weeks at #1 in the UK. Not bad for a self-proclaimed "awkward, spotty kid".
- 289.8 Million units sold
The King of Pop moonwalked his way into music history and never left. MJ's "Thriller" remains the best-selling album of all time, with over 120 million copies worldwide. Michael has 13 #1 singles to his name, and he's the only artist to have a top ten hit in five different decades.
The glove, the fedora, the red jacket—MJ was simply iconic. His 1993 Super Bowl halftime show drew more viewers than the game itself. Even after his passing, Michael's influence lives on. His 2014 posthumous album "Xscape" hit #1 in 50 countries. From the Jackson 5 to solo superstardom, Michael Jackson revolutionized entertainment.
- 291.3 Million units sold
Love him or hate him, you can't ignore Ye. This Chicago kid went from college dropout to hip-hop's mad genius. Back in the day, "Gold Digger" featuring Jamie Foxx spent 10 weeks atop the charts in 2005—can you believe that was 20 years ago? Kanye has 24 Grammys and recently logged his 11th consecutive No. 1 album with "Vultures 1".
His "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is widely considered one of the greatest albums of all time. Ye's not just about music; he turned sneaker culture upside down with Yeezys. From interrupting Taylor Swift to running for president, Kanye's always in the headlines. His "Donda" listening parties in 2021 were more like performance art than album launches. Controversial? Absolutely. Boring? Never.
- 295 Million units sold
The Fab Four flipped the whole world on its head. From mop-tops to mustaches, these Liverpool lads wrote the blueprint for modern rock stardom. They still hold the record for most #1 hits on the Hot 100, with 20 chart-toppers. "Hey Jude" alone spent 9 weeks at #1 in 1968.
Their 1964 Ed Sullivan Show appearance drew 73 million viewers—nearly 40% of the US population! Talk about Beatlemania. They went from "I Want to Hold Your Hand" to the mind-bending "A Day in the Life" in just a few years. The Beatles didn't just make albums; they created cultural touchstones. "Sgt. Pepper's" spent 15 weeks at #1 and basically invented the concept album.
- 298.1 Million units sold
T-Swift is rewriting the music industry playbook. This country-girl-turned-pop-queen has more #1 albums than any woman in history. Her re-recorded "Red (Taylor's Version)" broke Spotify's record for most-streamed album in a day by a female artist. Remember the uproar when she pulled her music from Spotify in 2014?
Taylor's got the industry wrapped around her finger. She's the only artist to have four albums sell over a million copies in a week. From the Kanye drama to her masters controversy, Swift's turned every challenge into chart-topping gold. With easter eggs in every video and lyrics dissected by fans, Taylor creates an experience.
- 308.460 Million units sold
From YouTube cover singer to pop phenomenon, the Biebs has been living in fast-forward since 2009. He was the hair flip that launched a thousand memes. Justin's grown from "Baby" singer to bonafide superstar, with "Sorry" becoming one of the most-streamed songs ever. He was the first artist to have 7 songs from a debut album chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
Even his mistakes make headlines—remember the monkey incident? But Bieber's bounced back, opening up about mental health and Lyme disease. His 2021 Justice World Tour grossed over $55 million in just 8 shows before health issues paused it. Whether you like it or not, you've probably hummed a Bieber tune at some point.
- 337.95 Million units sold
The Real Slim Shady stood up and never sat back down. Marshall Mathers bulldozed into hip-hop, leaving pearl-clutchers scandalized and rap fans in awe. With 15 Grammys and an Oscar (for "Lose Yourself"—still a pump-up classic), Em's trophy shelf is as impressive as his vocabulary.
He's the best-selling hip-hop artist of all time, moving more units than Elvis in the 2000s. Remember the shock of hearing "The Real Slim Shady" for the first time? Or how "Rap God" showcased his insane 6.46 words-per-second flow? Even after beating addiction and beefing with everyone from his mom to Machine Gun Kelly, Eminem remains hip-hop royalty. Not bad for a kid from 8 Mile.
- 388.7 Million units sold
Bad Gal RiRi took the music world by storm and then decided to conquer fashion and beauty too. Because why not? This Barbadian queen has racked up 14 #1 singles faster than any solo artist since Michael Jackson. "Umbrella" was everywhere in 2007, and that was just the beginning.
Rihanna's ANTI album spent 428 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart—the longest by a Black female artist in history. And let's talk about her Super Bowl halftime show reveal—pure icon behavior. While fans beg for new music, Riri's busy building her Fenty empire, becoming the first Black woman to head a luxury fashion house for LVMH. From "Pon de Replay" to billionaire boss, Rihanna's living life on her own terms.
- 535.1 Million units sold
The 6 God's reign is far from over. Drake's rise from "Degrassi" actor to hip-hop titan is a tale for the ages. With a record-breaking 78 top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits, Drizzy's dominated the charts like no other. "God's Plan" spent 11 weeks at #1. That's the Drake effect.
His 2018 album "Scorpion" became the first to hit 1 billion streams in a week. Beyond music, he's got his hands in everything from OVO clothing to Virginia Black whiskey. Love him or hate him, you can't deny the impact of a guy who made "YOLO" a thing and turned "Hotline Bling" into a cultural phenomenon.
