There isn'tSuspicious minds, Slim ShadyÖSmooth Criminalwithout some of the best-selling male artists in the world. Heck, we wouldn't even have moonwalk or Yeezy sneakers if it wasn't for the success of these singers and rappers.
So which male artists have achieved all the success in music? And which superstars have sold more records than you can imagine?
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Here we bring you the 12 best-selling male artists of all time. Check out how many singles and albums they've sold over the decades and what made their music career so successful.
The information comes fromWikipediaof claimed sales.
12. Chris Brown
Sale:140 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):Run, kiss, kiss
Best Selling Album:Chris Brown
Chris Brown could be one of themmost controversial celebrities of all time, but he is also one of the most successful male artists in the world. The star rose to fame at just 19 years old and quickly wowed everyone with her inspirational voice and impeccable dance moves. In spite ofChris Brown's bad boy behaviorWhile making headlines, there's still no denying this superstar's immense talent.
hit albums
Since his career blossomed in 2007, Chris Brown has amassed three USBillboard200 number one albums includingFAMA,happiness miIndigo.His other albums were also successful, such asChris Brown,which peaked at number two on the USBillboard200 and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
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Exclusivewas also certified double platinum during their eighth studio albumDisgust at full moonhelped Brown become the first male R&B artist to win gold in a week since Usherconfessionsin 2004.
single success
In accordance withbillboard, Brown has the eighth most popular Hot 100 entry on the Billboard charts with 101 songs.
after it fellrun itIn 2007, Brown became the first male artist since 1997 to have his debut single top the charts for a month.Say goodbye, turn up the musicmido not wake me upit also became a US Top 10 single.
Sim 3xpeaked in the top 10 in many countries around the world, whilebillboardtells thatgetting crazyIt spent 28 weeks at No. 1 and broke the record for longest-running No. 1 song on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
other developments
Aside from singing and dancing, Chris Brown has also tried his hand at acting and starred in films.step not quintalmibuyer🇧🇷 The singer took home a Grammy for Best R&B Album (FAMA), 15BET Awards, alle Billboard Music Awards und seine Soul Train Music Awards.
11. PhilCollins
Sale:150 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):Against all odds, sussudio, one more night, separate lives, one wonderful love, two hearts, another day in paradise
Best Selling Album:Jacket not required
This British singer and drummer originally hails from the rock band Genesis, but it was his solo efforts that helped him become one of the best-selling male artists in the world. The pop and rock legend rose to worldwide stardom in the 1980s and is one of only three artists (Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson) to have sold 100 million records both as a solo artist and as part of a band.
hit albums
Phil Collins has released a total of eight studio albums that have sold 33.5 million certified units in the United States. While the legendary drummer had six UK number one albums (Face value, jacket not requiredand others), only two albums have topped the USBillboardHot 200, includingJacket not requiredmi…but seriously.
Jacket not requiredIt is the best-selling album of Collins' career and has been certified Diamond in the US for sales in excess of 10 million.
single success
With a total of 150 million records sold worldwide, seven singles from Phil Collins' song collection reached #1 on the USBillboard Hot 100, including:Separate lives against all oddsmia wonderful kind of love.
other developments
Summarizing Phil Collins' career as part of the band Genesis and as a solo artist, he had more US Top 40 singles than any other artist during the 1980s. The star is also the proud owner of eight Grammy Awards, two. Golden Globes and an Oscar. He also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
10. Billy Joel
Sale:150 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):It's still rock 'n' roll to me, tell him we didn't start the fire
Best Selling Album:Greatest Hits Vol. 1 and 2
Pop-rock idol Billy Joel released his last hit album in 1993, but he's still popular enough to make this list.miCelebrities regularly fill Madison Square Garden. Best known for his larger themes,uptown girlmithe longest time, "The Piano Man" (nickname) ranks as the 10th best-selling male artist of all time.
hit albums
This world famous singer-songwriter has released a total of 13 studio albums, six live albums, 16 compilation albums and 10 video albums. Four of his albums were very successful in the United States;Zimmer 52It was her first album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart, while her 1985 compilation album,Greatest Hits Vol. 1 and 2It is one of the best-selling albums in the United States.
single success
Of the 61 singles he released, Billy Joel had 33 top 40 hits in the United States.uptown girlmithe longest timeThey may be their most famous songs, howeverIt's still rock 'n' roll to me, tell him about it, miWe didn't start the fire.are the only hits to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
other developments
"The Piano Man" dubbed for the Disney filmoliver and companyand was also nominated for 23 Grammy Awards, winning five. Joel is inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1992) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1999) and currently performs frequently at Madison Square Garden.
9. Ed Sheeran
Sale:150 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):shape of you, perfect
Best Selling Album:X
You can't listen to the radio without hearing British singer Ed Sheeran. Heck, you can't even go to a wedding without hearing a romantic Ed Sheeran song as the couple's first dance song. With 84.5 million RIAA-certified units in the US, this pop star has dominated pop music with his smash hits since rising to stardom in 2011.
hit albums
A man of many talents, all four of Ed Sheeran's albums reached #1 in the UK Albums Chart. 🇧🇷The majority) sold over 100,000 copies in its first week, while her second album×(Multiply) peaked at number one in the United States and became the second best-selling album worldwide of 2015.
Sheeran's third studio album÷(Split) debuted at number one in 14 countries and became the best-selling album worldwide of 2017, while setting the youngest recordIs equal to it also went straight to number one in the US and UK.
single success
The debut single for "Teddy" (dubbed),A teamwas successful worldwide, reaching the top 10 in several countries, while future tracks are includedshape of youmicastle on the hill, broke international records by debuting at the top two positions on the charts. These tracks also made Sheeran the first artist to debut two songs in the US Top 10 in the same week.
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SplitIt was such a successful record that all the tracks reached the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart in the week of the album's release, whileshape of youmiPerfect, reached number one in the United States.
With a career spanning over 10 years, the superstar's music sales surpassed 18.9 million total downloads in the US as of July 2015.
other developments
This protagonist has four Billboard Awards, four Brit Awards and four Grammys including Song of the Year (think high) and Best Pop Solo Performance in 2016; Best Pop Solo Performance (shape of you) and Best Pop Vocal Album (Split).
Sheeran was named the world's best-selling artist of 2017, Global Recording Artist of the Year, Official Charts Company's Artist of the Decade for 2019 and the second most-streamed artist of the decade in the same year.
8. Justin Bieber
Sale:150 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):Despacito, it's me, what do you mean, sorry, love yourself, I stayed with you, peaches, stay
Best Selling Album:purpose
Love him or hate him, this teenage heartthrob is unsurprisingly one of the most successful male artists of all time.Justin Bieberhas been releasing music since he was 16 and has been dubbed the Prince of Pop ever since, despite collaborating on severalcontroversies, there is no escaping the incredible talent and music of this young man.
hit albums
There's a reason this guy is so popular. Bieber became the youngest solo male artist to top the Billboard 200 chart, 47 years after the release of his first studio album.My world 2.0🇧🇷 He was also the first male singer to have a Christmas album (under the mistletoe) debuted at number one in the United States.
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The superstar's four subsequent albums also reached #1 on the Billboard 200 chartBelievetopped the charts in 16 countries around the world.
justice It made Biebs the youngest solo artist with eight number one albums in the United States, breaking a record of 56 held by Elvis Presley.
single success
It's no surprise that Bieber's most famous single,beveragesHe's one of America's top certified bachelors of all time.
Other successes include his remix forSlow, which is one of the few singles in the world to have spent more weeks (16) at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and made Bieber the first artist in history to have "consecutive week number one singles on the chart." brought”.
The pop legend has amassed three RIAA Diamond certifications forbeverages,a lossmiSlowand overall he had eight number one singles in the US.
other developments
Overall, Justin Bieber's career boasts 32 Guinness World Records, two Grammy Awards, a record 21 MTV Europe Music Awards and 21 Billboard Music Awards.
He was named one of the top 10 by Forbespowerful celebritieswhile your video clip is pauseda lossis in the top 25most popular music videosnot world.
7. And Öste
Sale:160 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):Slow Jamz, Lauter, Goldgräber, ET
Best Selling Album:dropping out of college
From being a top rap legend, to trying fashion, to expressing his candid opinion, thecontroversial Kanye WestIt has certainly influenced today's pop culture. The hip-hop artist has sold more than 160 million records worldwide and is officially one of the most awarded artists of all time.
hit albums
With over 20 million albums sold and 25 million certified equivalent album units in the US,Kanye Westis one of the most certified music artists.
Of his 10 studio albums, nine have reached number one. your debut albumdropping out of collegepeaked at number two on the Billboard 200 while on their sophomore albumlate registrationIt became the ninth best-selling album of 2005.
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University graduatehas been the best-selling album in the United States since thenlate registrationand broke the record for best-selling digital albums in one week. His collaboration with Jay-Z,look at the throne, broke the iTunes sales record in the United States in its first week, whileJesus is kingtied him with Emine as the only other artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 with nine consecutive studio albums.
single success
"Yeezy" has sold more than 140 million singles worldwide and is one of only six artists in the US to be certified by the RIAA to have sold more than 100 million digital singles. The rapper has 18 top 10 hits and four #1 singles, includingbut strongermigold digger.
gold digger, notably spent 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, broke digital download records and was the ninth biggest Hot 100 hit of the 2000s. West also had the most number one songs on the Billboard Hot 100. Hot Rap Songs chart in the late 2000s.
other developments
With 22 Grammy Awards to his credit, Ye is one of the most awarded artists of all time. He also won the Billboard Artist Achievement Award while six of his albums are included in Rolling Stone's 2020500 list of the greatest albums of all time.
Aside from music, Kanye has dabbled in many business ventures including collaborations with Nike, Louis Vuitton and now has his own Yeezy collab with Adidas.
6. Garth Brooks
Sale:170 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):If tomorrow never comes The dance Friends in low places Unanswered prayers Two alike Working in a full house Thunderclap Shameless What is she doing now The river Somewhere beyond the night This summer Ain't goin' Down, American Honky-Tonk Bar Association, She's Every Woman, The Beaches of Cheyenne, Longneck Bottle, Two Pina Coladas, To Make You Feel My Love, More Than a Memory
Best Selling Album:no fences
Garth Brooks is the second biggest album seller after The Beatles and one of the most successful male singers in the world. The American singer-songwriter has regaled fans with his country, rock and pop hits from the 1980s to the present, releasing songs and continuing his musical legacy.
hit albums
Garth Brooks has sold approximately 156 million domestic album units, making him the best-selling solo artist in the United States. This puts the country star ahead of Elvis Presley and the Beatles. He also has nine albums that have achieved Diamond status in the US, making him the only artist in history to have achieved this.
The artist has released 18 albums, most of which have peaked on the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts.
single success
Of his 51 singles released since the late 1980s, Garth Brooks has amassed an impressive 19 US number one singles, includingIf tomorrow never comes, thundermiso that you feel my love.
other developments
This country legend has won two Grammy Awards and 17 American Music Awards, and still holds the RIAAA award for America's best-selling solo album of the century. Garth Brooks also has a well-deserved place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
5. Draco
Sale:170 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):One Dance, God's Plan, Nice for What, In My Feelings, Toosie Slide, What's Next, Way 2 Sexy
Best Selling Album:take care
Jumped straight from a TV show into the music scene in the mid-2000s,Patobuilt a successful career as the fifth best-selling male artist in the world. With countless number one albums and singles under his belt, and a personal life that obsesses everyone, this rapper is undoubtedly a legend in his own right.
hit albums
Drizzy Hip-Hop stormed the scene with three mixtapes before releasing his debut studio album.thanks me laterthis was his first US number one album. His next five albums also topped the Billboard 200.
viewpoints It was the first album by a male solo star (in over a decade) to stay at number one for 13 non-consecutive weeksScorpioIt was certified platinum on the day of its release and became the first album to be streamed over a billion times in its week of release. Your latest releasecertified lover boyset the record for most US Top 10 entries on one album.
single success
Rap god Drake has broken multiple records on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including most top 10 appearances, most songs performed of all time (258), and most Hot 100 debuts in a single week (22) . . He also has the most singles on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (23) and Hot Rap Songs (23) charts.
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Most of Drake's 139 singles (plus features) made the Billboard Hot 100: all 25 tracks from his album.Scorpio, for example, entered the graph whilecertified lover boyHe had nine innings in the top 10.
A danceis Drake's highest-charting single of all time, reaching number one in 15 countries worldwide. It's also the most-streamed song on Spotify (over 2 billion), making him the most RIAA-certified digital singles artist in the United States.
other developments
Aside from music, Drizzy also found success as an entrepreneur, having founded his own record label, OVO Soundrecord, and Abourbon whiskey, Virginia Black. He has received four Grammy Awards, six American Music Awards, and a record 29 Billboard Music Awards.
4. Eminem
Sale:220 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):Get out, break a bottle, don't be scared, love how you lie, freak
Best Selling Album:Marshall Mathers LP
Even if you live under a rock, you probably know Eminem, critically acclaimed as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Despite being fourth on this list, Eminem is actually the best-selling hip-hop artist of all time. The legendary rapper was also considered the best-selling music artist in the United States in the 2000s.
hit albums
As the best-selling music artist in the United States of the 2000s, Eminem sold more than 32.2 million albums over the decade. He has 10 number one albums on the Billboard 200 that have debuted consecutively at the top of the charts, making him the only artist to do so.
Eminem's first album to top the chartsMarshall Mathers LPbroke records as the best-selling hip-hop album of all time and the best-selling solo album in the US, and was certified along with DiamondThe Eminem Show, which became an international hit in 2002 and has sold more than 19 million copies worldwide. her seventh albumRestorationIt was also the best-selling album worldwide of 2010.
single success
Eminem had five number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, includingBeing lostmiI love the way you lie🇧🇷 The former made Eminem the first hip-hop artist to win an Oscar for Best Original Song and also stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks.
Being lostwas certified together as DiamondI love the way you liemiI am not afraid.I am not afraid, in particular, made Eminem the first artist to win two RIAA Digital Diamond Awards. WhenThe monsterbecame Eminem's fifth No. 1 single and joined rappers Ludacris and P. Diddy for rappers with most No. 1 singles in the US.
Slim Shady was also named the most-streamed artist of all time on Spotify in 2014.
other developments
Marshall Mathers is also an actor who has acted in films.8 miles, fun peoplemiconsult🇧🇷 Creation of Shady Records, his own channel, Shade 45; and Billboard even named him "Artist of the Decade" (2000–2009). In all, Eminem currently has 15 Grammy Awards, eight American Music Awards, and 17 Billboard Music Awards.
3. Elton John
Sale:300 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):Crocodile Rock, Bennie and the Jets, Whatever Gets You Through the Night, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Philadelphia Freedom, Island Girl, Don't Break My Heart, That's What Friends Are For, Don't Make Them Sunshine Me, something about the kind as you are tonight / sailing in the wind 1997
Best Selling Album:Bye bye, yellow cobbled road
British singer-songwriter and pianist Elton John is the third best-selling male artist in the world, having sold more than 300 million records worldwide and having the best-selling single in Billboard history. Since his rise to stardom in the 1960s, he has built a celebrated and fruitful musical career.
hit albums
This music legend has not only sold more than 200 million albums worldwide, but also became the first artist to have seven consecutive number one albums in the United States.
Bye bye, yellow cobbled roadmiElton John's Greatest HitsThey are among the best-selling albums worldwide. The former is her best-selling album, having sold over 30 million copies worldwide, was certified Diamond by the RIAA and was #1 for two months.
John's famous soundtrack forThe Lion KingIt stayed at the top of the Billboard 200 for nine weeks and was certified Diamond for selling 15 million copies.
single success
Elton John has sold more than 100 million singles worldwide and has 57 top 40 hits on the USBillboard Hot 100, including 10 number one tracks.
It has the best-selling single in Billboard history and the best-selling single of all time:Sail to the Wind 1997, a tribute song to Princess Diana, has sold more than 33 million copies worldwide.
John's most successful additional single wasThat's what friends are for, while youLion KingsoundtrackCan you feel the love tonight?It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song (1995) and the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance (1995).
other developments
John has five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, and several other gongs on his list. He composed famous songs forThe Lion King,AidamiBilly Elliot oder Musical, and was even knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for "services to music and charity".
Elton, also known as The Rocket Man, was named the most successful male solo artist on the Billboard Hot 100 Top All-Time Artists and third overall artist after The Beatles and Madonna.
2. Michael Jackson
Sale:350 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):Ben, Don't Stop Till You Down, Rock With You, Billie Jean, Beat It, Say Say Say, No puedo dejar de amarte, Bad, The Way You Make Me Feel, Man In The Mirror, Dirty Diana, Blanco o Negro , nein estás solo
Best Selling Album:Action movie
No wonder the King of Pop is the second most successful male artist in the world. After all, he is one of the most important and well-known figures in pop culture of all time. Michael Jackson has not only sold 350 million records worldwide, but has also influenced areas such as dance, fashion and philanthropy and is officially the most awarded music artist in history.
hit albums
The King of Pop reigns supreme when it comes to album sales. His sixth albumAction movieIt is officially the world's best-selling album of all time, selling an estimated 70 million copies.
At the top of several international lists,Action movieIt was also the first album to have seven top 10 singles on the Hot 100, includingBillie Juanmifalls outside🇧🇷 Other achievements includeAlways, MJ's seventh studio album, which was the first album to top the charts in 25 countries.
Your compilation albumNumber oneIt was released after his death and also became one of the best selling albums worldwide.
single success
Michael Jackson is the only artist to have had 13 #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100. His first number 1 wasben1972, but only his later songs became mega hits, not only in the USA but also internationally.
Billie Juanwas number one in 13 countries whileAction movieit only peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 but sold seven million copies in the United States alone, making it MJ's best-selling single of all time.
I just can't stop loving you,Always,The way you make me feel,The man in the mirror, miDirty Dianaall reached number one in the United States and broke the record for most number one singles by album (Always).To MJ's famous balladYou are not aloneholds the Guinness World Record for the first song to debut at number one on the Hot 100.
other developments
As the most decorated artist in history, Jackson has 15 Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe and 39 Guinness World Records, including Most Successful Artist of All Time.
He is also the only artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Dance Hall of Fame.
1. Elvis Presley
Sale:500 million
Singles Nr. 1 (Billboard):Heartbreak hotel, I want you, I need you, I love you, don't be cruel, bloodhound, love me tenderly, too much, all shaken up, teddy bear, jailhouse rock, no, stubborn, heartthrob love, stuck You, it's now or never , you're alone tonight, give it up, good luck, suspicious minds
Best Selling Album:Elvis Christmas Album
The man, the myth, the legend, Elvis Presley is officially the best-selling male artist of all time. With decades of releasing classic singles, legendary albums and starring in numerous films, The King of Rock and Roll is one of the greatest musical icons and forces of the 20th century, paving the way for countless musicians throughout modern history.
hit albums
This acclaimed artist has sold more than 139 million LP albums in the United States. She has the most RIA-certified gold and platinum albums, as well as the most albums on the Billboard 200 chart.celebrity net worth, Presley is selling more than a million albums a year, even decades after his death.
Elvis' self-titled debut album,Elvis PresleyIt was the first rock 'n' roll album to reach the top of the Billboard charts, a position it held for 10 weeks.Elvis Christmas AlbumIt is also the best-selling Christmas album of all time in the United States, with eventual sales exceeding 20 million worldwide.
single success
Elvis Presley has 149 songs that have appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. 114 hit the top 40 and 18 hit number one, for a total of 80 weeks at the top of the charts.
The King of Rock and Roll has 54 RIAA certified singles with $50 million in sales.heartbreak hotelwas their first number one in the US, followed by other hit singles in the 1950s, such asHound, Jailhouse Rockmisturköpfige Frau.
After military service in the late 1950s, Elvis returned to music in the 1960s with the #1 song.hang in you, and its follow-up single,It's now or never, another worldwide hit, peaking at number two in 13 countries.
Before his untimely death in the 1970s, the music legend continued to reign with #1 hits on the charts.You're alone tonight,provide, and other hit soundtrack singles likeI can't help Falling in Lovemicousins kiss.
other developments
In addition to being the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis made a name for himself in Hollywood, starring in 31 feature films as an actor and two theatrically released concert documentaries. He has three Grammy Awards, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into several Music Halls of Fame.
With the likes of popular newcomers likeHarry Stylesand Shawn Mendes have captured the hearts of many and sold millions of records around the world, it is expected that they will soon be able to cross some of the artists off this list.
Will Elvis always be the King of Rock and Roll?miThe king of best-selling male artists? Will Eminem always be the best male rapper alive?
Let us know who you think deserves their spot on this list by leaving a comment in the section below...
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