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Name↕ | Artist↕ | Country↕ | Period active↕ | Release-year of first charted record↕ | Genre↕ | Total certified units(from available markets)↕ | Claimed sales↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nicki Minaj | Nicki Minaj | Trinidad and Tobago | 2007–present | 2010 | Hip-hop / pop | 179.5 million US: 132.96 million JPN: 550,000 GER: 2.45 million UK: 24.4 million FRA: 1.099 million CAN: 2.96 million AUS: 4.235 million BRA: 470,000 ITA: 775,000 SPA: 610,000 SWE: 420,000 NOR: 595,000 DEN: 430,000 SWI: 180,000 MEX: 6.96 million POL: 185,000 NZ: 247,500 | 100 million |
Linkin Park | Linkin Park | United States | 1996–present | 2000 | Metal / rock | 129.2 million US: 79.6 million JPN: 1.55 million GER: 12.050 million UK: 21.385 million FRA: 2.008 million CAN: 2.55 million AUS: 1.547 million BRA: 670,000 ITA: 3.95 million NZ: 1.2 million SPA: 200,000 SWE: 165,000 DEN: 530,000 SWI: 435,000 MEX: 225,000 ARG: 108,000 BEL: 140,000 AUT: 312,500 POL: 270,000 FIN: 120,469 POR: 140,000 | 100 million |
George Strait | George Strait | United States | 1981–present | 1984 | Country | 110.8 million US: 110.15 million CAN: 745,000 | 100 million |
Journey | Journey | United States | 1973–present | 1975 | Rock | 109.4 million US: 103 million JPN: 300,000 GER: 1.2 million UK: 3 million CAN: 725,000 AUS: 840,000 DEN: 180,000 NZ: 240,000 | 100 million |
Pink | Pink | United States | 1995–present | 2000 | Pop / rock / R&B | 94.3 million US: 35.725 million JPN: 400,000 GER: 6.325 million UK: 26.085 million FRA: 1.448 million CAN: 7.21 million AUS: 10.57 million BRA: 1.53 million NLD: 215,000 ITA: 450,000 SWE: 710,000 NOR: 215,000 DEN: 516,500 SWI: 675,000 MEX: 750,000 BEL: 275,000 AUT: 447,500 POL: 220,000 FIN: 130,442 NZ: 532,500 | 100 million |
Christina Aguilera | Christina Aguilera | United States | 1993–present | 1998 | Pop / R&B | 88.9 million US: 56.2 million JPN: 600,000 GER: 3.675 million UK: 15.010 million FRA: 575,000 CAN: 3.5 million AUS: 3.275 million BRA: 1,540,000 NLD: 170,000 ITA: 215,000 SPA: 590,000 SWE: 500,000 DEN: 768,500 SWI: 225,000 MEX: 905,000 ARG: 100,000 BEL: 260,000 AUT: 140,000 NZ: 195,000 | 100 million |
Shania Twain | Shania Twain | Canada | 1993–present | 1993 | Country / pop | 87.4 million US: 60.9 million JPN: 400,000 GER: 1.75 million UK: 10.355 million FRA: 975,000 CAN: 6.88 million AUS: 2.85 million BRA: 475,000 NLD: 540,000 SPA: 130,000 SWE: 330,000 NOR: 430,000 DEN: 210,000 SWI: 310,000 MEX: 100,000 ARG: 120,000 BEL: 250,000 AUT: 115,000 NZ: 402,500 | 100 million |
B'z | B'z | Japan | 1988–present | 1988 | Rock / pop / world | 86.2 million JPN: 86.250 million | 100 million |
Guns N' Roses | Guns N' Roses | United States | 1985–present | 1987 | Rock | 81.9 million US: 48.5 million JPN: 1.7 million GER: 4.1 million UK: 11.15 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 3.52 million AUS: 3.19 million BRA: 1.9 million NLD: 705,000 ITA: 750,000 SPA: 450,000 SWE: 485,000 NOR: 250,000 DEN: 530,000 SWI: 365,000 MEX: 760,000 ARG: 1.248 million BEL: 165,000 AUT: 365,000 POL: 160,000 IRE: 105,000 FIN: 267,540 NZ: 270,000 | 100 million |
Backstreet Boys | Backstreet Boys | United States | 1993–present | 1995 | Pop | 79.9 million US: 44.5 million JPN: 5.4 million GER: 7 million UK: 6.875 million FRA: 325,000 CAN: 3.63 million AUS: 2.485 million BRA: 1.625 million NLD: 830,000 SPA: 1.97 million SWE: 655,000 NOR: 140,000 DEN: 465,000 SWI: 415,000 MEX: 1.475 million ARG: 740,000 BEL: 450,000 AUT: 325,000 POL: 300,000 FIN: 171,390 NZ: 132,500 | 100 million |
Eric Clapton | Eric Clapton | United Kingdom | 1962–present | 1970 | Rock / blues | 71.6 million US: 47.7 million JPN: 3.95 million GER: 3.03 million UK: 7.79 million FRA: 1.475 million CAN: 2.275 million AUS: 1.115 million BRA: 715,000 NLD: 745,000 ITA: 120,000 SPA: 760,000 SWE: 320,000 DEN: 170,000 SWI: 385,000 ARG: 420,000 BEL: 125,000 AUT: 285,000 POL: 145,000 FIN: 129,679 NZ: 102,500 | 100 million |
Neil Diamond | Neil Diamond | United States | 1966–present | 1966 | Pop / rock | 72.1 million US: 55.9 million GER: 1 million UK: 10.47 million FRA: 400,000 CAN: 1.725 million AUS: 2.19 million NLD: 250,000 SPA: 100,000 NZ: 132,500 | 100 million |
Prince | Prince | United States | 1976–2016 | 1978 | R&B / rock / pop | 67.6 million US: 48.95 million JPN: 300,000 GER: 2.4 million UK: 9.545 million FRA: 2.11 million CAN: 1 million AUS: 1.12 million NLD: 670,000 SPA: 700,000 SWE: 100,000 DEN: 140,000 SWI: 300,000 AUT: 150,000 NZ: 182,500 | 100 million |
Paul McCartney | Paul McCartney | United Kingdom | 1960–present | 1970 | Rock / pop / electronic | 67.5 million US: 44.45 million JPN: 500,000 GER: 1.925 million UK: 15.325 million FRA: 1.405 million CAN: 1.995 million AUS: 745,000 SPA: 640,000 SWE: 210,000 DEN: 405,000 | 100 million |
Janet Jackson | Janet Jackson | United States | 1982–present | 1982 | R&B / pop | 65.3 million US: 52.25 million JPN: 1.6 million GER: 1.4 million UK: 4.96 million FRA: 1.475 million CAN: 1.46 million AUS: 1.19 million NLD: 400,000 SPA: 150,000 SWE: 105,000 SWI: 170,000 BEL: 175,000 | 100 million |
Kenny Rogers | Kenny Rogers | United States | 1958–2020 | 1975 | Country / pop | 64.7 million US: 55.55 million JPN: 100,000 UK: 3.92 million CAN: 4.74 million AUS: 175,000 SPA: 100,000 NZ: 130,000 | 100 million |
Santana | Santana | United States | 1966–present | 1969 | Rock / Latin | 62.8 million US: 47.475 million JPN: 400,000 GER: 2.4 million UK: 3.480 million FRA: 3.510 million CAN: 1.660 million AUS: 855,000 BRA: 375,000 NLD: 540,000 SPA: 450,000 SWE: 125,000 SWI: 375,000 MEX: 405,000 ARG: 158,000 BEL: 190,000 AUT: 145,000 POL: 205,000 NZ: 135,000 | 100 million |
Simon & Garfunkel | Simon & Garfunkel | United States | 1956–2004 | 1964 | Pop / folk / rock | 62.1 million US: 42.6 million JPN: 700,000 GER: 2.325 million UK: 9.4 million FRA: 3.9 million CAN: 1.425 million AUS: 390,000 NLD: 300,000 ITA: 125,000 SWE: 150,000 NOR: 140,000 SWI: 450,000 AUT: 100,000 FIN: 163,350 | 100 million |
The Doors | The Doors | United States | 1965–1973 | 1967 | Rock | 62.3 million US: 49.6 million GER: 1.750 million UK: 3.040 million FRA: 2.2 million CAN: 2.780 million AUS: 1.267 million BRA: 100,000 ITA: 380,000 NZ: 230,000 SPA: 610,000 SWI: 125,000 ARG: 150,000 AUT: 125,000 | 100 million |
George Michael | George Michael | United Kingdom | 1981–2016 | 1984 | Pop / R&B | 54.6 million US: 20.8 million JPN: 300,000 GER: 2.4 million UK: 18.810 million FRA: 3.217 million CAN: 1.870 million AUS: 2.205 million BRA: 510,000 NLD: 1.190 million ITA: 115,000 SPA: 850,000 SWE: 310,000 NOR: 160,000 DEN: 520,000 SWI: 335,000 ARG: 118,000 BEL: 315,000 AUT: 140,000 POL: 340,000 NZ: 140,000 | 100 million |
Dire Straits | Dire Straits | United Kingdom | 1977–1995 | 1978 | Rock | 53.6 million US: 15.5 million GER: 3.750 million UK: 15.325 million FRA: 7.305 million CAN: 2.575 million AUS: 2.190 million BRA: 175,000 NLD: 900,000 ITA: 1.135 million SPA: 1.380 million SWE: 360,000 DEN: 495,000 SWI: 1 million BEL: 300,000 AUT: 400,000 FIN: 471,530 NZ: 155,000 | 100 million |
Foreigner | Foreigner | United StatesUnited Kingdom | 1976–present | 1977 | Rock | 50.4 million US: 45.1 million GER: 1.5 million UK: 2.3 million FRA: 400,000 CAN: 700,000 AUS: 140,000 NLD: 150,000 SWI: 125,000 | 100 million |
Chicago | Chicago | United States | 1967–present | 1969 | Rock | 48.5 million US: 44.150 million JPN: 400,000 GER: 250,000 UK: 1.490 million FRA: 100,000 CAN: 1.865 million AUS: 105,000 NLD: 100,000 SPA: 130,000 | 100 million |
Bob Dylan | Bob Dylan | United States | 1959–present | 1963 | Rock / folk / blues / gospel / pop | 49.06 million US: 35.6 million GER: 625,000 UK: 9.090 million FRA: 800,000 CAN: 1.5 million AUS: 690,000 ITA: 170,000 NOR: 250,000 SWI: 175,000 NZ: 105,000 | 100 million |
Meat Loaf | Meat Loaf | United States | 1968–2022 | 1977 | Rock | 47 million US: 25.6 million GER: 2.350 million UK: 12.065 million CAN: 3.380 million AUS: 2.662 million NLD: 425,000 SWE: 100,000 SWI: 115,000 AUT: 100,000 NZ: 302,500 | 100 million |
The Carpenters | The Carpenters | United States | 1969–1983 | 1969 | Rock / pop / easy listening | 47 million US: 34.6 million JPN: 3.050 million GER: 250,000 UK: 8.750 million CAN: 275,000 BRA: 100,000 | 100 million |
Cher | Cher | United States | 1964–present | 1965 | Pop / rock / folk | 46.9 million US: 22.9 million JPN: 100,000 GER: 4.175 million UK: 10.750 million FRA: 1.525 million CAN: 1.380 million AUS: 1.530 million BRA: 125,000 NLD: 375,000 ITA: 325,000 SPA: 660,000 SWE: 850,000 NOR: 115,000 DEN: 550,000 SWI: 295,000 MEX: 200,000 ARG: 106,000 BEL: 275,000 AUT: 250,000 POL: 100,000 NZ: 315,000 | 100 million |
Earth, Wind & Fire | Earth, Wind & Fire | United States | 1969–present | 1971 | R&B / pop | 44.7 million US: 37.7 million JPN: 500,000 UK: 4.585 million FRA: 500,000 CAN: 360,000 AUS: 420,000 NLD: 250,000 DEN: 180,000 MEX: 210,000 | 100 million |
David Bowie | David Bowie | United Kingdom | 1962–2016 | 1967 | Rock / pop / electronic | 44.2 million US: 15.7 million JPN: 200,000 GER: 525,000 UK: 20.695 million FRA: 2.430 million CAN: 2.315 million AUS: 845,000 NLD: 465,000 ITA: 570,000 SPA: 170,000 DEN: 200,000 NZ: 142,500 | 100 million |
Def Leppard | Def Leppard | United Kingdom | 1977–present | 1979 | Metal / rock | 42.6 million US: 36.150 million JPN: 300,000 UK: 2.120 million FRA: 200,000 CAN: 2.995 million AUS: 407,500 SWE: 150,000 SWI: 125,000 MEX: 200,000 | 100 million |
Stevie Wonder | Stevie Wonder | United States | 1961–present | 1962 | R&B / pop / gospel | 41.6 million US: 21.650 million JPN: 1.050 million GER: 750,000 UK: 14.145 million FRA: 1.4 million CAN: 1.550 million NLD: 250,000 ITA: 100,000 SPA: 430,000 DEN: 135,000 | 100 million |
Genesis | Genesis | United Kingdom | 1967–19992006–20072020–2022 | 1969 | Rock | 40.3 million US: 21.650 million JPN: 100,000 GER: 5.875 million UK: 7.565 million FRA: 3.260 million CAN: 805,000 NLD: 300,000 SPA: 250,000 SWE: 100,000 SWI: 450,000 | 100 million |
Gloria Estefan | Gloria Estefan | United States | 1975–present | 1984 | Latin / pop | 39.6 million US: 27.16 million JPN: 600,000 GER: 250,000 UK: 4.760 million FRA: 325,000 CAN: 940,000 AUS: 455,000 NLD: 625,000 SPA: 3.240 million SWI: 110,000 MEX: 825,000 ARG: 380,000 NZ: 30,000 | 100 million |
Tina Turner | Tina Turner | United States | 1958–2009 | 1960 | R&B / rock / pop | 37.7 million US: 12.7 million GER: 6.5 million UK: 11.435 million FRA: 1.135 million CAN: 1.6 million AUS: 480,000 NLD: 565,000 SPA: 790,000 SWE: 330,000 NOR: 185,000 SWI: 675,000 BEL: 190,000 AUT: 745,000 POL: 140,000 FIN: 241,954 | 100 million |
James Taylor | James Taylor | United States | 1968–present | 1970 | Rock / pop / folk | 36.5 million US: 35.250 million UK: 1.055 million CAN: 100,000 AUS: 100,000 | 100 million |
Olivia Newton-John | Olivia Newton-John | United KingdomAustralia | 1966–2022 | 1966 | Pop / country | 36.1 million US: 27 million JPN: 100,000 GER: 500,000 UK: 3.950 million FRA: 1 million CAN: 3.025 million AUS: 450,000 NLD: 150,000 | 100 million |
Linda Ronstadt | Linda Ronstadt | United States | 1967–2011 | 1968 | Rock / folk / pop / country | 33.2 million US: 31.5 million UK: 435,000 FRA: 100,000 CAN: 500,000 AUS: 665,000 | 100 million |
The Beach Boys | The Beach Boys | United States | 1961–present | 1962 | Rock / pop | 32.7 million US: 25.6 million GER: 250,000 UK: 5.610 million FRA: 400,000 CAN: 100,000 AUS: 492,500 SPA: 250,000 | 100 million |
Donna Summer | Donna Summer | United States | 1968–2012 | 1974 | R&B / pop | 31.7 million US: 24.5 million UK: 4.455 million FRA: 900,000 CAN: 1.550 million BRA: 100,000 NLD: 100,000 SPA: 100,000 | 100 million |
Diana Ross | Diana Ross | United States | 1959–present | 1970 | R&B / pop | 17.525 million US: 6.55 million UK: 8.02 million AUT: 50,000 BEL: 75,000 CAN: 1.75 million DEN: 90,000 FRA: 100,000 GER: 250,000 ITA: 50,000 NLD: 450,000 NOR: 25,000 NZ: 60,000 SPA: 30,000 SWI: 25,000 | 100 million |
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How is the Best-selling Music Artists list ranked?
The Best-Selling Music Artists list is ranked by community votes. Every visitor can pick one option over another in head-to-head matchups, and the running totals determine the order you see. No editors or algorithms — just real people voting.
How many entries are in this Best-selling Music Artists dataset?
This dataset contains 41 entries, each with multiple sortable, filterable columns. The full table is visible on this page and can be downloaded as a CSV, JSON, or Excel file.
Can I download the Best-selling Music Artists data?
Yes. The download buttons at the top of the page give you the full 41-row dataset as CSV, JSON, or Excel. Use of the data is permitted under a Creative Commons Attribution license — credit dtbse.com when you republish.
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