Top 10 Artists Who Sold Over 200 Million Albums Worldwide

Selling over 200 million albums is no easy task. It requires more than just a hit single or a well-received album. It requires consistent musical genius, groundbreaking creativity, a connection with fans around the globe, and let's not forget, it also requires time, often decades of work in the industry.

The artists who've achieved this remarkable feat have done more than just sell records. They've transcended borders, resonated across cultures, and inspired generations. Their music has become the soundtrack to our lives, a common thread that binds music lovers worldwide.
The Top Ten
1 Mariah Carey Mariah Carey, born March 27, 1970, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is one of the biggest best-selling women in the music industry, with 18 number 1 records to her name. She is regarded as a sex symbol through her songs and music videos, and she is "well known" for her over-the-top... read more

There are a lot of great singer-songwriters that touch the hearts of millions, but the vote goes to Mariah Carey for the versatility of her music.

There aren't too many who can write, produce, and sing all genres of music.

Mariah Carey is the best singer in the world, and not only the best singer but also a great songwriter.

I'm not surprised she has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide because her voice and soul can make you dream.

Best at everything! She writes. She sings. She produces. She has a song of the decade. She changed the world of music multiple times.

She has influenced millions of singers, like the greats always do.

2 Michael Jackson Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson; August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael... read more
3 The Beatles The Beatles were an English pop rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The members consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They were soon known as the foremost and most influential act of rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later... read more

How can The Beatles be at 14 when they are number one with $247.8 million sold worldwide? They are the real number one. The only one that is correct is Michael Jackson at number three. Elvis, too, should be at number two. How did Mariah Carey end up number one? She was only big in the United States. This is how it really goes:

1. The Beatles
2. Elvis
3. Michael Jackson
4. Madonna
5. Elton John
6. Led Zeppelin
7. Queen
8. ABBA
9. Mariah Carey
10. Celine Dion

The Beatles have outsold everyone. Stats show this easily. They still outsell others every time they release a CD. It's always a number one seller for them, and they haven't been together in 45 years.

4 Queen Queen are an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar, vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band... read more

Best musical band ever. They covered every genre. Freddie Mercury was the ultimate showman.

Every band member wrote hit songs.

5 Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (Vocal), Jimmy Page (Guitar), John Paul Jones (Bass, Keyboard) and John Bonham (Drums) and was very much the child of Jimmy Page who even financed their first tour. He had tasted... read more
6 The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. The first settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums)... read more
7 Pink Floyd Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitar), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters... read more
8 Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone, known professionally as Madonna, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She influenced a lot of singers such as: Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyonce Knowles and Britney Spears. She is known as Queen of Pop and at modern pop culture specifically... read more

Madonna should be at least in the Top 3. What's wrong with you guys? She is a real legend, not Mariah Carey, who cannot even write her own material without additional help. Send me at least one song that was written 100% by Carey without other songwriters. Hah, Madonna wins forever!

But I guess MJ and MC fans can't stand the truth.

Come on, Lucky Stars, let's "get together" and "justify our love" by voting!

I love Madonna. Her voice is like nickels coming out of a slot machine.

9 Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion is a Canadian singer and businesswoman. She is best known for her song "My Heart Will Go On", which is the main theme of the 1997 film Titanic, which was the first film to gross $1 billion at the box office.

Dion has sold close to 300 million. Mariah's sales figures are mainly in the US. Among many artists, Dion's album sales include about 80-100 more countries than most.

Not only that, but here in the US, they don't count many of these countries, which is very sad. To the world (except for the stupid US), she is royalty.

According to Billboard, Celine has sold almost 250 million albums globally, meaning her record sales are now at 300 million.

You need to deal with that one big fact!

Queen of pop for sure! She is 45 and still going strong. No drugs or scandals - she truly is royalty and should be at the top!

10 Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined... read more

Elvis was amazing and really shaped how we think of music today. Most teenagers haven't heard of The Beatles or The Rolling Stones, but unlike them, Elvis is remembered and still enjoyed to this very day.

Let's get real. Elvis, 100%. He has sold 2.5 billion worldwide. Untouchable!

The Contenders
11 AC/DC AC/DC are a Australian hard rock band, formed in November 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young, who continued as members until Malcolm's illness and departure in 2014 . They were fronted by Bon Scott until his untimely death due to alcohol poisoning in 1979, after which they hired Brian Johnson... read more

AC/DC, the most influential high-voltage rock and roll band ever!

12 Eminem Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is an American rapper, actor and music producer born on October 17, 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Eminem has sold over 300 million records making him the bestselling hip-hop artist of all time. In addition to his solo career, he is a member of D12 and (with Royce... read more
13 Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston is one of pop music's best-selling music artists of all-time, with an estimated 170–200... read more

The most beautiful voice ever! My all-time favorite.

What a voice! She is a musical genius.

14 Elton John Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English singer, pianist and composer. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums, John has sold over 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has... read more
15 Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian-American pop singer. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, she first entered the music industry by recording demo tapes under the direction of record producer Evan Rogers in 2003. She ultimately signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning... read more
16 Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter. She was born on December 13, 1989, in Reading, Pennsylvania. Swift is best known for writing personal songs and has won 13 Grammy Awards... read more
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