Who are the best selling artists in the world of all time?
In this article, we will explore the comprehensive compilation of the 50 most successful artists in the history of the world, based on their record-breaking sales figures.
The best part, even?
I have included bonuses for the top 10 best artists-selling musicians of the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s.
With that out of the way, let’s breeze through the most prominent selling artists in the World.
Top 10 Best selling artists in the world 2024
Who are the top 10 best-selling artists in the world in 2024? We’ll sit back as I will reveal the top 10 best-selling artists who have proven themselves as talented and passionate musicians.
You will be impressed once you get to know them. So here we go:
Top 10 Best-Selling Artists in the World
Who are the top 10 best-selling artists of all time? The 10 best selling musicians in the world in history are:
| Artists | Worldwide Sales |
| The Beatles | 600 million albums |
| Elvis Presley | 500 million albums |
| Micheal Jackson | 400 million albums |
| Elton John | 300 million albums |
| Queen | 300 million albums |
| Madonna | 300 million albums |
| Led Zeppelin | 300 million albums |
| Rihanna | 250 million albums |
| Eminem | 220 million albums |
| Mariah Carey | 220 million albums |
1. The Beatles ( Liverpool, UK)
Think of the Beatles; your mind explodes with a list of super-hit songs. They have the most number-one albums on the UK Chart and the most hits on the US Billboard chart. They have sold over 600 million records worldwide.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon were the leading band members, including George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The band disbanded in 1970.
“Yesterday,” “Love me do,” “Let it be,” and “we can work it out,” and many other anthems that have reigned over the years. They were the winners of 11 Grammys, 15 Ivor Novello awards, and an Academy Awards winner for the soundtrack of the movie Let it be.
In addition, Time has named them the 100 most influential artists of the century. The Beatles’ members are still earning royalties from the music they created.
The band revolutionized the world of pop music in the 60s and 70s through their genius music, making them unforgettable. The Beatles were the leading band in the 1960s and 1970s
2. Elvis Presley ( Mississippi, USA)
When you think of Rock and Roll, only one name comes to mind: Elvis Presley. This artist is one of the best-selling artists in the world, with sales of about 500 million records.
Elvis changed the music course with his rebellious style and became a household name. His songs like “Can’t help falling in love with you,” “Burning,” “Softly as I leave you,” and “How great thou art” are actual manifestations of his rock and roll genre.
Furthermore, “Hound Dog” is one of the biggest influences on the rock ‘n’ roll genre and was Presley’s biggest-selling single, spending 11 weeks at number one, which is a record.
He was well known for his stage presence which made him an icon. And still today, people are falling in love with his music created in the late 50s and early 60s. That is something unique.
Elvis has won three Grammy Awards, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and many other honors. Though the singer died long ago, his legacy is here to stay.
3. Micheal Jackson ( Indiana, USA)
“The King of Pop” Micheal Jackson has sold over 400 million records worldwide, making him one of the best selling artists in the US. This artist revived dance-pop in the early 70s and became a global phenomenon.
Some of his best-known singles are Black and White; They don’t care about us, Thriller and Beat it. His Earth song is an inspiration, which earned him global recognition.
Micheal is the most awarded artist in the world, and to add to your knowledge, I’ve compiled the list of the most awarded artists in the world; you can visit this article and read about it. Moreover, He has 13 Billboard hot 100 number-one singles. And his best-selling single yet to date is Billie Jean.
This Pop icon has won the most accolades for his contributions to the world of music, including 13 Grammys, 6 Brits, and 12 World music awards.
Though Micheal left the world in 2011, his gift of music will pass on to the coming generations.
4. Elton John ( Middlesex, UK)
Elton is an eloquent composer and an entertaining performer, and his audience loves his songs. The singer has sold 300 million copies of records worldwide, making him one of the top 50 best-selling artists in the world.
Elton John has given us masterpieces like “Your Song,” “Sorry seems to be the hardest word,” and “The Rocketman.” His best-selling single remains “Candle in the wind,” which he wrote for Princess Diana and sold 33 million copies.
Elton has the talent for writing and composing wonderful music, earning 6 Grammys and 3 Brit Awards.
Furthermore, he won 2 Academy Awards for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (The Lion King) and “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,(Rocketman).”
This artist has earned a fortune worth $570 million, making him the richest musician in the UK. If you want to know more, I have written an article about The richest musicians in the UK, which is a must-read.
On Instagram, Elton has more than four million followers and is the most successful artist.
5. Queen ( London, UK)
The British rock band with Freddie Mercury as frontman stole the show by releasing their records “We are the Champions” and “We will rock you.”
The band has sold over 300 million records making them 50 Best selling Artists in the world. Their songs are great anthems with great lyrics and upbeat music.
Queen’s best-selling single is “Bohemian Rhapsody,” also one of the most streamed songs on Spotify. Their honors include four Brit Awards and four Ivor Novello awards.
In addition, the band has claimed four Grammy nominations and earned the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
The band still rocks the music world and will be remembered for their outstanding contributions.
6. Madonna ( Michigan, USA),
The Queen of Pop, has sold over 300 million copies worldwide and made herself a top-selling female artist worldwide. Madonna is a trendsetter and a pop icon.
Every single she releases becomes a hit. Her best songs include “Like a Virgin”, “La Isla Bonita,” “Frozen,” “Music,” and “4 Minutes”. And her best-selling single to date is “Like a prayer.”
With such a creative mind, Madonna has made millions of fans across the globe. Her honors include 6 Grammy Awards and 24 MTV Video Music Awards.
Furthermore, this artist has claimed 24 ASCAP pop awards and 17 Japan Golden sic awards. The Guinness World Records acknowledged her as the best-selling female music artist.
On Instagram, her followers are 18.7M, and she has earned a net worth of $ 850 million.
7. Led Zeppelin ( London, UK)
This band is the pioneer of the hard rock and metal music genre. Their songs have spellbound the audience with their rich guitar techniques.
Their best performances are “Whole Lotta Love,” “Rock and Roll,” “ Kashmir,” and “Stairway to Heaven. Led Zeppelin’s songs have won spots in “The 500 Greatest songs of all time” by Rolling Stones magazine. They have sold 300 million copies of their albums.
Their achievements are winning more than 600 awards, including Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. VH1, BBC radio, and Rolling Stone named them the “Greatest Artists of Hard rock.”
On Instagram, they have 1.6M followers, and their net worth is $900 million.
8. Rihanna ( Barbados)
This female singer has made it to the Best Selling artists in the world by being consistent with her music. Rihanna’s voice is soft and has a range of three octaves simultaneously. She has sold 250 million albums across the World.
Plus when I wrote the article top 50 most streamed artists in the world, I wasn’t surprised she made the list.
She has won the hearts of her fans by producing breathtaking songs like “Diamonds,” “Umbrella,” “Woo,” “We found love,” and “Lift me.” Her accomplishments are 9 Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards, and 13 American Music Awards.
Furthermore, Rihanna has 14 No. 1 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100, and Rihanna has accumulated 14 No. 1 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100, “Her best-selling song to date is Umbrella, with millions of copies sold worldwide.
On Instagram, she has 129 million followers and a fortune worth $ 1,4 billion, making her one of the richest celebrities in the world. To know more about Rihana’s worth, you can read my article, The richest musicians in the world, you will find it interesting and informative.
They are for sure the best-selling artists in the world.
9. Eminem ( Missouri, USA)
If we talk about rapping, one name clicks our mind: Eminem. He has broken all the barriers and has become the King of rap.
Eminem is one of the best rappers in the world. I also have an entire article that talks about The most popular musicians in the world, and it’s a must-read. Em made the list in that one article.
This artist gave us jaw-dropping music like Lose yourself, Stan, without me, Love the way lie and Not afraid. For his song Lose Yourself, the soundtrack of his movie 8 Mile, Eminem has earned worldwide recognition.
His honors include 15 Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, 17 Billboard Music Awards, and an Academy Award. He has sold more than 220 million copies across the globe.
Eminem’s best-selling single stands for “Lose Yourself,” a hip-hop number. This artist is back with the new song “Use this Gospel” and is ready to rock the charts.
On Instagram, Eminem has about 37 million followers and a net worth of $ 230 million, being the highest-paid performer in the world.
10. Mariah Carey ( New York, USA)
Mariah is a super-talented singer and composer whose five-octave vocal range ha# made her a pop icon. This artist has sold over 220 million copies worldwide, and her best-selling single is “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” with 14 million copies sold.
Her musical career includes many hit singles like Hero, Without you, We belong together, and Fantasy. Carey is the highest-certified female artist in the US and 10th overall, with 72 million certified album units.
In 2023, Rolling Stone named her the fifth greatest singer of all time, a tremendous honor. She has credit for crossing over hip-hop with pop music and inspiring other artists.
Carey has 11.5 million followers on Instagram and a net worth of $320 million. She is no doubt the best-selling artist in the world.
Top 20 Best selling artists in the world
Who are the 20 Best Selling Artists in the world today? The 20 best selling artists in the world today are:
- Taylor Swift
- Beyonce
- Whitney Houston
- Eagles
- Celine Dion
- AC / DC
- The Rolling Stones
- Drake
- Garth Brooks
- Kanye West
11. Taylor Swift ( Pennsylvania, USA)
This artist is ruling the pop industry with her outclass music and best songwriting abilities. Taylor Swift is one of the best-selling artists in the world, with so many hit singles.
Taylor has earned fame and praise for her work. Her best-selling song is “Shake it off,” which has sold over 3 million copies. We are never getting back together; Love story, Mine, Shake it off, Delicate, and her new song, Antihero, are all blockbuster hits.
Her accolades include Swift has won 11 Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, 40 American Music Awards, and BillboardMusic Awards (the most won by a woman).
Swift became the youngest woman to be included on Forbes’ list of the 100 most powerful women in 2015, ranked at number 64.
She was the most googled female musician in 2019 and the most googled musician overall in 2022. On Instagram, her followers are 236.5 M, and she has a net worth of $450 million.
12. Beyoncé ( Texas, USA)
This artist is the best-selling artist in the world. Beyonce has sold 200 million copies worldwide. Her best-selling album remains “Dangerously in love.”
Beyoncé has created masterpieces like “Sweet dreams,” “Irreplaceable,” Beautiful Liar,” and “Halo.” Her best-selling single remains “Crazy in love.”
With so many awards to her name, she has won 22 NAACP awards, 32 BET Awards, and 21 Soul Train music awards.
Moreover, Beyonce has won 28 Grammy awards making her the most honored female singer who has won Grammys.
The Time magazine has entitled her to a list of 100 women who defined the last century.
On Instagram, she has 291 M followers and a net worth of $500 million, which is enormous. She is a super rich celebrity, and to know about her sources of earnings, you will have to read Rihanna vs. Beyonce’s net worth. This article will blow your mind away with the information.
13. Whitney Houston ( New Jersey, USA)
Known for her powerful vocals, Whitney Houston has sold over 200 million copies worldwide. This artist is one of the best-selling female musicians in the world.
Whitney’s singles are famous for being melodic and romantic. Her bestselling single remains ” I will always love you,” which spent 14 weeks on the charts.
Her other songs that were quite impressive are “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love of All,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.”
For her contributions to music, she has earned 8 Grammy Awards, 14 World Music Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards. In addition, she has won 2 Emmy Awards.
Whitney Houston died in 2012 but has left us her memories in the form of music.
Many fans still play her songs and cover and stream.
14. Eagles ( California, USA)
This band is an American rock group who have sold more than 200 million records across the globe. The Eagles were the most successful music act of the 1970s.
This band has created songs like “Take It Easy,” “Witchy Woman”, “Desperado,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” and “Take It to the Limit.” And their best-selling song is “Hotel California ” associated with many stories.
While there have been many theories, the Eagles’ band members have revealed in multiple interviews that the true meaning behind “Hotel California” is a commentary on the hedonism and self-indulgence of America.
They have won accolades from many organizations, including 18 Grammys, and the group ranked number 34 on Country Music Television’s 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003.
They have earned a net worth of $408 million and on Instagram 2.4M followers.
15. Celine Dion ( Charlemagne, Canada )
This artist is the “Queen of Adult Contemporary.” And Celine has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide, making her 50 best-selling artists worldwide.
Her best singles include “The Power of Love,” “Think Twice,” “Because You Loved Me,” “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” and “I’m Alive.” While her single “My Heart Will Go On” (soundtrack Titanic) is her career’s biggest hit, with estimated sales of over 18 million worldwide.
She has won 5 Grammy Awards, 12 World Music Awards, 7 Billboard Music Awards, and 6 American Music Awards.
The Los Angeles Times recognized Celine Dion as the decade’s top-earning artist at the end of 2009. Celine has super vocals which have attracted audiences. Her vocal and her music style have made her songs evergreen.
On Instagram, her followers are 5.4 M, and her net worth is $800 million. I am her biggest fan and recommend listening to her magical music.
16.( Sydney, Australia)
AC/DC is an Australian rock band formed in Sydney by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Hard rock and heavy metal are the genres of this band.
They have sold 200 million records worldwide and ranked No. 72 on the Rolling Stone list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”
Their hit singles are Thunderstruck, Highway to hell, Shot in the dark, and Back in black. And their best-selling song to date is “You Shook Me All Night Long.”
They won many nominations and awards in the time frame of 1982 and 1981. Their wins include one Grammy and Four ARIA awards.
The band was nominated for their recent album Power up in 2020, and their songs won nominations for different categories.
Their net worth is $450 million, and they have 4.1 M followers on Instagram.
17. The Rolling Stones ( London, UK)
This band is famous for introducing new styles to hard rock and has sold 200 million albums across the globe. They have created masterpieces that have climbed to the number-one spot on the charts, and their best-selling song is “I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” which has been streamed over 600 million times on Spotify and YouTube.
Their number-one singles are “Gimme Shelter,” Can’t you hear me knocking,” “Sympathy for the Devil,” and “Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker).” Their songs are influenced mainly by blues blended with hard rock.
They are the most infectious rock band, winning three Grammy Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
In addition, the band is one of the best-selling and most significant bands of all time.
On Instagram, Rolling Stones has 3.4 million followers and a net worth of $950 million.
18. Drake ( Toronto, Canada)
This Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter are impressive. He has sold 170 million copies worldwide. He is regarded as the best musician, and to have a deep insight, read my blog, the 50 best musicians in the world, and you will be astonished by the list.
Drake is known for his 11 number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, plus he has the most top 10 singles that are 67. He is the most influential and one of the best rappers in the world.
Some of his best hits are “ One Dance,” “God’s Plan,” “Nice for What,” and “In My Feelings.” His best-selling single is Hotline bling, which sold 41000 copies in its first week.
His honors include four Grammy Awards, a record of 29 Billboard Music,13 BET Awards, and American Music Awards. He additionally has the number-one singles on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.
This artist has 128 million followers on Instagram and a net fortune of $49 million. He has earned his worth through his hard work. To know more about Drake’s net worth, read my article Drake vs. Justin Beiber’s net worth, and this blog will prompt you.
19. Garth Brooks ( Oklahoma, USA )
Troyal Garth Brooks is an American country music singer and songwriter. This artist has sold 170 million copies of his albums and is one of the world’s best-selling artists.
This singer played a significant role in adding rock and pop styles into country music. Garth has influenced many listeners to hear his songs which have never heard country music before.
Additionally, his Garth tunes caught the attention of critics, and his first album was by his name. It was a critical chart success, peaking at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart.
Some of his memorable songs are Friends in low places, The dance, and the Thunder rolls. And his best-selling music stands out as “If tomorrow never comes.”
His accolades are winning 23 Academy of Country Music Awards and 17 American Music Awards, winning seventeen. On Instagram, he has 1.8 million followers and a net worth of $400 million.
20. Kanye West ( Georgia, USA )
Kanye is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer who is One of the world’s best-selling music artists, with over 160 million records sold.
This artist has produced great songs like “Gold digger,” “Can’t tell me nothing,” “Heartless”, “Follow God,” and “Come to life.” And his best-selling song is “Stronger,” which got attention due to its catchy tune.
Kanye is known mainly for his hip-hop genre, but his songs also manifest his experiments with gospel and pop, adding versatility to his work. He has proved he is one of the best-selling artists in the world.
He has won 22 Grammy Awards,10 BET Awards, and 17 Billboard music awards. Furthermore, he is famous for his incredible songwriting skills. And Rolling Stones ranked his six in the 500 Greatest albums of all time in 2020.
With Instagram followers of 30 million and a net worth of $400 million, this artist is one of the most celebrated rappers in the world.
Top 30 Best-Selling Artists in the World 2023
Who are the top 30 best-selling artists in the world in 2023? The top 30 best-selling artists who have consistently produced excellent work are:
- Billy Joel
- Justin Beiber
- Ed Sheeran
- Bruno Mars
- Bruce Springsteen
- U2
- Aero Smith
- Phil Collins
- ABBA
- Jay Z
21. Billy Joel ( New York, USA )
Billy introduced piano in soft rock style and created ballads and anthems reminiscent of the classic era of the 80s and 90s.
This singer and songwriter have sold 160 million copies worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time.
Billy’s classical hits are “River of dreams,” “We didn’t start the fire,” “Uptown girl,” “Just the way you are,” and “Movin out.” His best-selling song to date is “Piano man.”
He has won six Grammy awards, one American Music Award, and many other honors. His song “Piano man” is included by Rolling Stones in the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list.
This artist has earned a fortune worth $ 225 million and has 547K followers on Instagram.
22. Justin Beiber ( Ontario, Canada)
Justin’s skills in singing and performing have made him a pop idol. This artist has sold 150 million copies worldwide and earned his place in the music industry.
Justin Beiber started with his hit number “Baby.” Later on, he continued to produce catchy tunes like “Sorry,” “Love me,” “Einee Minee,” “Holy,” and so on. His collaborations with other artists have also been successful, like “Let me love you,” “Stay,” and “Stronger.”
This young artist has achieved so much in a short period. His accomplishments are two Grammy Awards, 26 Billboard Music Awards, and numerous fan-voted accolades, including 18 American Music Awards.
Justin is also an Instagram influencer. On Instagram, his followers are about 274 M, and have a net worth of $400 million. In addition, he has won acceptance from Japan and Denmark as well. For more info, read my article Highest paid Instagram influencer in the world, and you will be surprised.
23. Ed Sheeran ( West Yorkshire, UK)
Ed is one of my favorite singers and songwriters. He has earned so much respect and praise from his listeners and has sold 150 million copies. Do listen to his song, and you will be hooked.
This singer has given us songs like “Castle on the hill,” “Perfect,” “Bad habits,” “Thinking out loud,” and “Shiver.” “Shape of you” remains his best-selling song to date.
His achievements are 4 Grammys, 8 Billboard awards, and 2 American music awards. Moreover, “Celestial” and “Forever my love” are his new numbers with which he is ready to rock the charts.
Ed Sheeran is one of the most popular musicians in the UK. To add more to your knowledge, I have written an article on the Most Popular musicians in the UK, which you will enjoy.
Ed has 41.5 million followers on Instagram and a net fortune worth $200 million.
24. Bruno Mars ( Hawaii, USA)
Bruno’s music is usually soul-pop mixed with hip-hop. He is the master of unique blends of music. This artist has sold over 150 million albums worldwide and earned a huge fan following.
Six of his singles are among the best-selling singles of all time: in order of release date, “Just the Way You Are,” “Grenade,” “The Lazy Song,” “When I Was Your Man,” “Uptown Funk,” and “That’s What I Like.” And these are still ruling on Spotify and YouTube streaming.
This artist has won many awards, including 15 Grammy Awards, four Brit Awards, 11 American Music Awards, and 13 Soul Train Awards.
On Instagram, Bruno has 27 M followers, and his net fortune is estimated to be $175 million.
He is one of the 50 Best Selling artists in the world.
25. Bruce Springsteen ( New Jersey, USA)
He is an American singer, songwriter, and musician with the skill of expressing social messages and poetic themes with energetic performances.
Bruce came to the limelight when a magazine discovered him. He started releasing his albums, and his bestselling numbers are “Born to run,” “Born in the USA,” “Streets of Philadelphia,” and “Dancing in the dark.
Bruce Springsteen earned massive applause for the soundtrack of the Movie the Dead man walking. His honors include 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award, and a Special Tony Award.
On Instagram, Bruce has 1.4 million followers and a net worth of $650 million.
26.U2 ( Dublin, Ireland)
I am pleased that they have made it to the list. One of the best-selling artists in the world, with 150 million albums sold, U2 has never disappointed us.
I highly recommend their album Joshua Tree, a must-listen for music lovers. U2’s best songs that gained popularity are One, With or Without you, Vertigo, and Beautiful day.
Furthermore, the soundtrack of the movie Tomb Raider called Elevation was also a huge hit. Their awards list includes 22 Grammys and 15 Q awards.
The band received Golden globes for “The Hands That Built America,” which appeared in the film Gangs of New York, and “Ordinary Love” from the Movie Mandela.
They have earned a reputation for their work and have a huge net worth of $1 billion.
27. Aero smith ( Boston, USA )
Some call them Bad boys from Boston, while others say they are “America’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.” Whatever name you give to this band, they are a hard rock band with a mix of rhythm and blues.
Aerosmith has sold 150 million albums worldwide and is rated as best selling music artist in the world.
Their hit numbers include “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” “Angel,” “Rag Doll,” “Love in an Elevator,” and “Crazy.” Their anthem Dream on, sung by many singers, and Don’t wanna miss a thing, is the highest-selling number.
Aerosmith has won four Grammys and 10 MTV awards. Besides that, they have also won accolades from Russia, Denmark, and other countries.
Their net worth is about $100 million, and their Instagram followers of 2.8 Million.
28. Phil Collins ( London, UK)
Phil is a singer, drummer, and songwriter with a range of soft rock, blues, and jazz.
With soft vocals and Melo music, Phil is an inspiration and pop icon for many.
Phil’s songs that earned him admiration are “In the air tonight,” “You will be in my heart,” “Against all odds,” and “One more night,” which are his classic hits. His big hit to date is “Another day in Paradise.”
His wins include eight Grammy Awards, six Brit Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, one Academy Award, and a Disney Legend Award. This artist has sold 150 million albums across the world.
He has 656 K followers on Instagram and a net worth of $350 million.
29. ABBA (Stockholm, Sweden)
This Swedish band has ruled the era of the 70s and 80s with their pop hits. And still, now, they have engaged the audiences. The band is the best-selling non-English one, with 150 million copies sold worldwide.
Moreover, “Mama Mia,” “Waterloo,” and “Take a Chance on Me” are widely recognized songs. While “Dancing Queen” and “Fernando” were their global blockbusters,
They have won Bravo Otto and Carl-Alan Awards and earned nominations for Grammys and Brit awards.
ABBA is the most successful non-English-speaking band in the world. The band has a net worth of $1 billion, and its Instagram followers are 876K.
Their final album, Voyage, is out, and the songs have joyous melodies.
30. Jay Z ( New York, USA)
Shawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He is named The master of flow and is considered one of the world’s most brilliant rappers.
He has sold 125 million copies and is one of the best-selling artists in the world. Jay Z’s best-selling work includes “Crazy in love,” “Empire State of mind,” “Umbrella,” “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” and “Money Ain’t A Thang.”
Jay-Z has won 24 Grammy Awards, 24 BET Awards, and 6 Billboards music awards.
This artist has 281 K followers on Instagram and a fortune worth $1.3 billion.
He is among the 100 most influential people in the world.
Moreover, Jay-Z was the first rapper honored in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Top 40 Best-Selling Artists in the World 2024
Who are the top 40 Best selling artists in the world? The top 40 best-selling artists in the world are:
- Metallica
- Lady Gaga
- Lil Wayne
- Maroon 5
- Adele
- Fleetwood Mac
- Bon Jovi
- Rod Stewart
- Bee Gees
- Nicki Minaj
31. Metallica ( California, USA )
This thrash metal band is characterized by fast, loud percussion, distorted guitars, and shouted vocals.
Metallica’s best-selling singles to date are “Nothing else matters.”Their other hit numbers are “Enter Sandman,” “Master of puppets,” “Fade to black,” and “One.”
Metallica ranks as one of the most commercially successful bands, having sold over 125 million albums worldwide. They have won nine Grammy awards and seven Kerrang awards.
Overall, Metallica has received 103 awards.
Rolling Stone considers Metallica one of the greatest bands in the world.
They have 9.4 million followers on Instagram and a net worth of $ 1 billion.
32. Lady Gaga ( New York, USA)
With high-quality stage performances and undeniably amazing vocals, Lady Gaga has sold more than 124 million albums across the globe. She is the most influential and best-selling female singer in the music industry.
Gaga has won thirteen Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA, 3 Brit, and 16 Guinness Book of World Records.
Her hit songs like” Pokerface,” “Bad Romance,” “Shallow,” and “Justice” have been rocking the charts and captivating her audience.
Forbes ranked Gaga as 10th of the Top-Earning Musicians of the Decade, with earnings of $500 million. I recommend you check her songs if you haven’t heard or seen her performances.
Her Instagram page has 53.4 million followers and a net worth of $320 million.
33. Lil Wayne ( Louisiana, USA )
This artist is the best-selling rapper, with 120 million records sold worldwide. Lil Wayne started songwriting at nine and earned applause for his super cool music.
Lil has an excellent songwriting gift, which is evident in his music. “Lollipop” became Wayne’s first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100. At the same time, his song “A Milli” proved that he could out-rap just about anyone.
His best singles include “Uproar,” “Got Money,” and “Mrs. Officer,” which has earned him fame. His achievements include 5 Grammy Awards, 4 Billboard awards, and 16 BET hip hop awards.
He is back with his new single “God did,” and I bet he will win big. On Instagram, he has 16.4 million followers and a net worth of $170 million.
34. Maroon 5 ( California, USA)
Everyone knows about Maroon 5; this band recently won number nine on the Billboard Top Artists.
Maroon 5 worked hard to stand out from the rest of the groups. Their signature influences are soul and R&B music, a significant turning point that led to the infectious Maroon 5 pop hit sound.
The hit numbers by this band are Moves like Jagger, Payphone, Harder to breathe, and Sugar. Girls like you were the most-played song on the radio.
Additionally, One More Night” spent nine weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over four million copies making it Maroon 5’s biggest hit.
They have sold 120 million copies of the albums and won three Grammy Awards, three American Music Awards, and eight Billboard Music Awards. The band is worth $ 150 million.
35. Adele ( London, UK)
Her albums have always been a hit due to her stellar performances. Rolling Stone ranks Adele as one of the Greatest Singers of all time. She has sold 120 million albums worldwide.
“Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” “Set Fire to the Rain,” “ Hello,” and “Easy on me” are her masterpieces that have roared on the charts.
She has received 15 Grammys,18 Billboard Music Awards, 5 American Music Awards, and the Brit Awards for her musical contributions. At the same time, “Skyfall,” the soundtrack of the James Bond movie, earned her an Academy Award.
On Instagram Adele has 51.1 million followers on Instagram and a fortune worth $ 439 million. This artist is one of the most popular musicians in the UK. And if you want to know more, read my article on The most popular musicians in the UK, and you will enjoy the ride.
36. Fleetwood Mac (London, England )
This band was formed by guitarist vocalists Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer and drummer Mick Fleetwood. Their style of music was a blend of rock, pop, and blues in a unique way.
The band released many albums with beautiful songs like “Over My Head,” “Say You Love Me,” Rhiannon, and” Landslide.”
Hold Me” is Fleetwood Mac’s biggest Hot 100 hit, while the group’s No. 2 hit is “Dreams,” penned by Nicks, who also sang its lead vocal.
Rumors were their seventh album which earned them huge attention. It was an instant commercial success, selling over 10 million copies worldwide within a month of its release.
This band continues to play for its fans and has a net worth of $30 million.
37. Bon Jovi ( New Jersey, USA )
The best-selling American rock band, Bon Jovi, has sold 120 million records worldwide. Their music accurately depicts bridging the gap between heavy metal and pop.
Bon Jovi’s hit songs include it is my life, Livin on a prayer, You gave love a Bad name, and Who says you can’t go home.
Their songs are catchy and blend nicely with rock beats. They are the winners of Grammy and American music awards and Billboard music awards.
In addition, they were listed in the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009 and the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
On Instagram, they have 1.7 M followers and a net worth of $450 million.
38. Rod Stewart ( London, UK)
This artist is one of the living legends. He is a British pop star with ten number-one albums and 31 top-ten singles in the UK. He is one of the bes5 selling artists worldwide, with 120 million albums sold worldwide.
With super hit songs like “Maggie May,” “Sailing,” “The first cut is the deepest,” and “This old heart of Mine,” Rod is regarded as one of “100 Greatest Singers of all time” by Q Magazine.
His achievements include receiving Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, Ivor Novello Award 1999 Lifetime Achievement Award, and Grammy for his album Stardust.
Rod is ranked the 17th most successful artist on the “Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists” with the best-selling album “Blondes have more fun,” which sold millions of copies.
On Instagram, he has 1.2 million followers and a net worth of $300 million.
39. Bee Gees ( Redcliffe, Australia )
This band is considered The Disco Kings, with the members brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. The Gibbs brothers hailed from Australia and moved to the UK.
Their first hit was “Spicks and Specks” in Australia. Later on, the game changer was the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever
Furthermore, their other super hit numbers are “Tragedy,” “How deep is your love,” “You should be dancing,” and “Too much Heaven.”
The Bee Gees have won Grammys and American and Brit music awards.
In addition, they have earned the “Songwriters Hall of Fame” and the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
They were the most successful music trio of all time and one of the best-selling artists in the world, with 120 million copies of their albums sold worldwide.
40. Nicki Minaj ( Trinidad and Tobago)
This lady is one of the best female rappers in the world. Her talent is incredible and evident in her music. Nicki has sold 100 million albums, becoming 50 best-selling artists worldwide.
“Say so,” “Trollz, Anaconda,” “Only,” and “Hot girl summer” are some of her best singles, but the list is long. Super freaky girl and Starships are her best-selling singles and chart toppers.
She is one of the singers with the highest awards wins, including 12 BET, 10 MTV Europe Music Video Awards, and 7 Billboard music awards.
She became the first female artist to have one hundred Billboard Hot 100 entries. And there is no doubt that she is called “The Queen of Rap.”
Her net worth is $130 million, and she has 208 million followers on Instagram. How she has earned so much fortune; if you want to learn more, read my article Nicki Minaj vs. Cardi B net worth, which talks deeply about her endorsements and earnings.
Top 50 Best-Selling Artists in the World 2023
Who are the top 50 Best selling artists in the world in 2023? Here are the last 10 in our countdown who have won the hearts of the present generation. Let’s get to know them.
- Coldplay
- Linkin Park
- Britney Spears
- Shania Twain
- Gun n Roses
- Backstreet Boys
- Eric Clapton
- Neil Diamond
- Cher
- David Bowie
41. Cold play ( London, UK)
This band has broken all the rules to become one of the best-selling artists in the world. I am a fan of their tunes with rocking drums and guitars.
Coldplay is a rock band from the UK with Chris Martin as frontman. They have sold 100 million albums and, according to Forbes, are one of the most influential artists in the world.
If you have read my other articles, then you know their best-selling numbers, which are “Something just like this,” “Viva la Vida,” “Fix you,” and “Paradise.”
The band is nominated this year for Grammys for their number “My Universe,” and I wish them good luck.
The song “Universe” broke the Guinness World Record for the highest British track debut on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. And has earned its first wins at the Gaon Chart Music Awards, Melon Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards Japan.
The band has earned 7 Grammy Awards, 17 GAFFA awards, 9 Billboard awards, and recognition from many parts of the world.
They are the most awarded musicians in the world. And to find out who other artists are, read my article Most awarded artists in the world and the information will hook you.
On Instagram, they have 20.6 million followers and a net worth of $115.5 million.
42. Linkin park ( California, USA )
Surprised?
Linkin park has created unforgettable music. Don’t be; they are the best-selling Alternative rock band of all time. They have sold 100 million copies in the world. The band’s members Chester and Mike Shinoda, are the main vocalists.
Their best-selling songs are Crawling, In the end, Numb, Faint, What I’ve done, and New Divide.
The band has claimed many worldwide awards, including 2 Grammys, 6 American music awards, and many MTV awards from different countries.
Linkin Park has a unique style that merges hip-hop with alternative rock. With so many followers on Instagram, 5.8 million, and a net worth of $30 million, many radios shows still play their songs.
Unfortunately, Chester, the main singer, died in 2017, and since then, the band has stopped any concerts. Though Chester is not with us anymore, his work will always remind us of his legacy.
43. Britney Spears ( Mississippi, USA )
The Pop Princess is still shining despite many hardships in her personal life. Britney Spears ruled the world of pop in the late nineties by giving it a fresh start.
Her albums have sold 100 million copies around the globe, making her 50 best-selling artists in the world. Britney has won a Grammy Award, 6 MTV Video Music Awards, and seven Billboard Music Awards.
Her best-selling number to date is “Baby one more time.” Moreover, this song, by Rolling Stone magazine, is considered one of the most fantastic debut singles.
And her other singles which rock the charts are Toxic, Gimme more, 3, and Womanizer.
This artist is ranked by Time as one of the most influential artists. Her Instagram has 41.6 million followers, and her net fortune is $70 million.
44. Shania Twain (Windsor, Canada )
Twain is the Queen of Country pop music and sold about 100 million albums worldwide. She has earned tremendous respect and praise for being the best female country musician.
Her best-selling song to date is “That don’t impress me much.” And the other number hits are “From this moment in,” “I gonna getcha good,” and “Waking up dreaming.”
She has won 5 Grammy Awards, 13 Juno awards, 6 American music awards, and many Canadian Country Music Association Awards.
Shania Twain is an inspiration for many young artists. Additionally, Twain is the 10th best-selling artist of the Nielsen SoundScan era, and Billboard listed Twain as the 13th Greatest Music Video Female Solo Artist of all time.
On Instagram, her followers are about 1.7 M, and she has earned over $400 million.
45. Gun n roses ( California, USA )
If you talk about Hard rock, Guns n Roses is the band that ruled this genre. It is an American band with prominent members Axle Rose and Slash.
This band has reigned over the decades with its hard rock music.
Their best songs are “Paradise City,” “Sweet Child of Mine,” “You could be mine,” and “November Rain.” Sweet child of mine remains their most streamed song.
Gun n roses have won accolades from many critics, including 15 wins from 48 nominations. They have won Grammy nominations but have yet to win the award yet.
This band has earned the title of the most dangerous band in the world due to their rebellious style of music. On Instagram, they have 6.4M followers and a net worth of $230 million.
46. Backstreet Boys ( Florida, USA )
This boy band is one of the most popular bands that ruled the pop music genre for three decades. With 100 million albums sold, they are listed as the 50 best-selling artists worldwide.
The Backstreet Boys were a big hit with their first album, but their third album, Millennium, was the most successful and entered the Billboard 200 at number one with first-week sales of 1,133,000 copies.
I want it that way, Drowning, Larger than life, and so many Backstreet Boys songs have made the mark. Their recent release, “Don’t go breaking my heart,” was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Their wins included two American Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and a Juno Award.
They are a super hit boy band who is still going strong, and I am a huge fan and want the readers to listen to their melo music.
Their net worth is about $200 million, and they have a fan following of 3.4M on Instagram.
47. Eric Clapton ( Ripley, UK)
He is the Best guitar player and ranked number five in Time magazine’s “The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players” in 2009.
Eric is a multi-award-winning artist with most work in blues and soft rock. He has sold 100 million albums and is the best-selling artist in the world.
The songs which manifest his art are “Layla,” “Wonderful Tonight,” Tears in Heaven and “I shot the sheriff.” These songs made him a legend, winning 18 Grammys, American music awards, and 3 World music awards.
Rolling Stone ranked him as one of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time. One of the best songwriters with 4 Ivor Novello to his name, Eric has earned a net worth of $450 million with his hard work.
48. Neil Diamond ( New York, USA )
The King of soft ballads, Neil Diamond, is no stranger to music lovers. He is famous for his folk-jazz music, and he sold 100 million copies worldwide.
Neil’s breathtaking performances include charts: “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue,” “Longfellow Serenade,” “America,” “Yesterday’s Songs,” and “Heartlight.”
Thirty-eight singles by Diamond have reached the top 10 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts, including “Sweet Caroline.”
His wins include a GRAMMY Award, a Golden Globe Award, the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Kennedy Center Honor.
He has earned a considerable fan following and a net worth of $ 300 million.
49. Cher ( California, USA )
A pop idol who is a trend maker rose to fame with her single “Believe.” Cher has sold 100 million copies and has become the best-selling artist in the world.
Believe was a game changer for Cher, and it ultimately sold 11 million copies worldwide and won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording. It got nominated for Record of the Year.
Her other best-selling singles are Bang bang, Strong enough, Fernando, and “Wasn’t it good.”
Her accolades include a Grammy and Academy Award and many Billboard music awards. Furthermore, She has won the Kennedy Center Honor.
Cher has 2.4M followers on Instagram and a fortune worth $360 million.
50. David Bowie ( London, UK)
David Bowie was a superstar, an innovative artist who reinvented glam rock. His work has sold 100 million albums across the globe.
This artist’s best-selling numbers are “Let’s Dance,” “Blue Jean,” and “Golden Years.”
With such a stage presence and outclass vocals, David has claimed recognition from the audience and the critics.
He is one of the most influential artists in the world. His wins include 6 Grammy Awards, 4 Brits, and 4 Ivor Novello Awards. If you want to know about more influential artists, read my article on the most influential artists in the world.
Moreover, Rolling Stone ranked him among the greatest artists in history. As of 2022, Bowie was the best-selling vinyl artist of the 21st century.
David left us in 2018, but his legacy will continue with his everlasting songs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Provided detailed answers to these questions
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Who is the Best Selling Artist in the World?
The best-selling artist in the world remains The Beatles. They have outnumbered every artist in their album sales. The Beatles have ruled the Five decades of music with their evergreen songs.
Let it be yesterday, Hey Jude, and many other anthems are still covered and sung by many artists.
The winner of many music awards, The Beatles are still going strong.
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Who Are the Top 10 Best-Selling Artists in the World’s 60s?
They are icons and trendsetters of different genres of music. Their music is evergreen. These artists are;
- The Beatles
- The Supremes
- The Beach Boys
- James Brown
- The Rolling Stones
- Elvis Presley
- Aretha Franklin
- Bob Dylan
- Sam Cooke
- The Jimi Hendrix
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Who Are the Top 10 Best-Selling Artists in the World 70s?
These artists are undeniably talented and have changed the course of music. They are
- Pink Floyd.
- Queen
- Led Zeppelin
- Elton John
- Eagles
- ABBA
- Rod Stewart
- Bob Marley
- Bee Gees
- Fleetwood Mac
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Who Are the Top 10 Best-Selling Artists in the World 80s?
The best time for music with so many artists changing their style. In the 1980s, the famous artists were the following stars:
- Michael Jackson,
- Madonna,
- U2,
- Phil Collins,
- Queen,
- Prince,
- AC/DC,
- Bon Jovi,
- Bruce Springsteen,
- George Michael .
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Who Are the Top 10 Best-Selling Artists in the World 90s?
The pop and rock era with artists ranging from Backstreet Boys to Metallica.
They are
- Celine Dion,
- Garth Brooks,
- Whitney Houston,
- Nirvana,
- Michael Jackson,
- Mariah Carey,
- Backstreet Boys,
- Shania Twain,
- Madonna,
- Metallica.
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Who Are the Top 10 Best-Selling Artists in the World 2000s?
The era of rock, pop, rap, and hip-hop music. These artists are
- Eminem,
- Usher,
- Creed,
- Linkin Park,
- Britney Spears,
- Norah Jones,
- Nelly,
- N sync,
- The Beatles,
- Lady Gaga.
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Who Are the Top 10 Best-Selling Artists in the World 2010s?
And here are the showstoppers who are pop, rock, and hip-hop icons. They are
- Adele
- Rihanna,
- Imagine Dragons,
- Drake,
- Beyonce,
- Taylor Swift,
- Ed Sheeran,
- Kanye West,
- Ariana Grande,
- Luke Bryan
Conclusion
It was an honor to talk about these artists who have been a great source of inspiration. They are legends with epic performances. I love their work, what about you?
Leave your comments and feedback, and I would love to hear from you. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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