List of Best-selling Music Artists At Popflock.com | View List of Best-selling Music Artists

The following is an independently verified list of best-selling music artists (those with claims of 75 million or more record sales) from the second half of the 20th century to the present. Only artists whose claimed sales figures can be cross-referenced with music recording certification systems (the first of which appeared in the late 1950s) are included. The tables are listed with both their claimed sales figure along with their total independently certified units and are ranked in descending order, with the artist with the highest amount of claimed sales at the top. If two or more artists have the same claimed sales, they are then ranked by certified units. The claimed sales figure and the total of certified units (for each country) within the provided sources include sales of albums, singles, compilation-albums, music videos as well as downloads of singles and full-length albums. Sales figures, such as those from Soundscan, which are sometimes published by Billboard magazine, have not been included in the certified units column. As of 2017^[update], based on both sales claims and certified units, the Beatles are considered the highest-selling band. Elvis Presley is considered the highest-selling individual artist based on sales claims and Drake is the highest-selling individual artist based on certified units.

Definitions

All artists included on this list, which have begun charting on official albums or singles charts have their available claimed figures supported by at least 30 percent in certified units. That is why Cliff Richard, Diana Ross, Scorpions, Bing Crosby, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Tom Jones, The Jackson 5, Dionne Warwick, the Spice Girls, Dolly Parton, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Andrea Bocelli, Gloria Estefan and others have not been included on this list. The more recent the artist, the higher the required percentage of certified units; this is because more music markets instituted certification systems after the 1980s and 1990s.^[a] So artists such as Rihanna, Chris Brown, Taylor Swift, Flo Rida, Katy Perry, Drake, Justin Bieber, Adele, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, and The Weeknd are expected to have their claimed figures supported by over 75 percent in certified units. The certified units are sourced from available online databases of local music industry associations. All certified units are converted from Gold/Platinum/Diamond certification awards based on criteria provided by certifying bodies. The certified units percentage varies according to the first year that an artist appeared in the charts.^[b]

The requirements of certified units are designed to avoid inflated sales figures, which are frequently practiced by record companies for promotional purposes.^[1]^[2] The claimed figures are referenced from online articles created by highly reliable sources. For clarity, the sources used, say the term "records" (singles, albums, videos) and not "albums". However, if all available sources for an artist or band say "albums", such sources are only used if the certified album units of the said artist meet the required percentage amount. This list uses claimed figures that are closest to artists' available certified units: inflated claimed figures that meet the required certified units amount but are unrealistically high, are not used.

The claimed figures are upgraded only when there is a significant progress in artists' certified units. In other words, the available certified units for each artist should get relatively closer to already listed claimed figure in order for higher figures to replace the listed ones.

The certified units of the newer artists may sometimes be higher than their listed claimed figures. This is because Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and almost all other certifying bodies count streaming towards Gold and Platinum thresholds required for Digital Single Award certification.^[3]^[4]^[5] For this reason, some singles and even albums get over certified by hundreds of thousands of units. The over certified figures, however, are often in millions of units for RIAA certifications, one such example is Rihanna's single "We Found Love", which is certified at nine times Platinum by the RIAA, yet during the time of the certification, it had sold 5.4 million downloads.^[6]^[7]

The certified units for some artists/bands who have multi-disc albums can be higher than their listed claimed figures due to Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) counting each unit within set as one unit toward certification.

Issued certifications for songs which have been recorded by multiple artists including featured artists are added to each artist's total amount of certified units, as all the artists would have played a significant part in a song. For example, "This Is What You Came For" and "Where Them Girls At" include Rihanna and Flo Rida, Nicki Minaj as featured artists respectively, so the certifications issued for these songs are added to the total amount of certified units for all involved artists. However, the certifications issued for songs that have been recorded by four or more artists are not included as the artists involved would have played minor roles, examples of such songs are Kanye West's "Monster" and/or "All Day".^[c]

Artists by reputed sales

250 million or more records

To ensure the highest level of fact checking and editorial control, this list sources sales figures to news organizations and highly regarded music industry related organizations such as MTV, VH1, and Billboard.
The figures of total certified units within the tables below are based on certified units of albums, singles (including digital downloads) and videos.
Markets' order within the tables is based on Retail Value: each market generates respectively, the largest market at the top and smallest at the bottom.^[8]^[9]

Artist	Country / Market	Period active	Release year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)^[a]	Claimed sales
The Beatles	United Kingdom	1960-1970^[10]	1962^[10]	Rock / pop^[10]	Total available certified units: 285.4 million US: 217.250 million^[11] JPN: 4.950 million^[a]^[12] GER: 8 million^[a]^[13] UK: 25.845 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 3.890 million^[a]^[15]^[16] CAN: 14.455 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 3.060 million^[a]^[18]^[19] BRA: 550,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 345,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 570,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.250 million^[a]^[23]^[24] SWE: 485,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 200,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 495,000^[a]^[27]^[28]^[29] SWI: 350,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 1.926 million^[a]^[31]^[32]^[33] BEL: 390,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 500,000^[a]^[36] POL: 175,000^[a]^[37] NZ: 660,000^[a]^[38]^[39] POR: 130,000^[a]^[40]	600 million^[41]^[42] 500 million^[43]
Elvis Presley	United States	1954-1977^[44]	1954^[44]	Rock and roll / pop / country^[44]	Total available certified units: 229.1 million US: 199.650 million^[11] JPN: 300,000^[a]^[12] GER: 1.2 million^[a]^[13] UK: 17.715 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 2.590 million^[a]^[15]^[16] CAN: 2.925 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 1.867 million^[a]^[18]^[45] BRA: 125,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 555,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 150,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 300,000^[a]^[23]^[46]^[47] SWE 380,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 130,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 165,000^[a]^[48]^[49]^[50] SWI: 185,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 105,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 110,000^[a]^[31] BEL: 115,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 205,000^[a]^[36] FIN: 213,945^[a]^[52] NZ: 117,500^[a]^[38]^[39]	500 million^[53]^[54] 360 million (Est. sales as of 1997)^[55]^[56]
Michael Jackson	United States	1964-2009^[57]	1971^[57]	Pop / rock / dance / soul / R&B^[57]	Total available certified units: 243.9 million US: 150.3 million^[11] JPN: 4.650 million^[a]^[12]^[58] GER: 11.275 million^[13] UK: 36.095 million^[14] FRA: 11.5 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 4.810 million^[17] AUS: 6.775 million^[a]^[18]^[19]^[60]^[61]^[62] BRA: 280,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 2.2 million^[21] ITA: 1.235 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.995 million^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 1.330 million^[a]^[25]^[64] NOR: 275,000^[a]^[26]^[65] DEN: 1.984 million^[a]^[66]^[67]^[29] SWI: 1.010 million^[a]^[30]^[65] MEX: 3.730 million^[a]^[51] ARG: 664,000^[a]^[31]^[32]^[33] BEL: 690,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 1.197 million^[a]^[36] POL: 530,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 384,127^[52] NZ: 912,500^[38]^[39] POR: 100,000^[a]^[40]^[65]^[68]^[69]	400 million^[70]^[71] 350 million^[72]^[73]
Elton John	United Kingdom	1964-present^[74]	1969^[74]	Pop / rock^[74]	Total available certified units: 197.1 million US: 135.550 million^[11] JPN: 1.1 million ^[a]^[12] GER: 7.9 million^[a]^[13] UK: 28.905 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 4.825 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 6.055 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 4.207 million^[a]^[18]^[75] BRA: 835,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 975,000^[21] ITA: 125,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.2 million^[a]^[23]^[24]^[47]^[63] SWE: 740,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 280,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 555,000^[a]^[49]^[67]^[76]^[29] SWI: 1.313 million^[a]^[30] MEX: 100,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 128,000^[31]^[32] BEL: 840,000^[a]^[34]^[35]^[77] AUT: 840,000^[a]^[36]^[65] POL: 250,000^[a]^[37]^[77] FIN: 163,481^[52] NZ: 300,000^[a]^[38]^[39]	300 million^[78]^[79] 250 million^[80]^[81]
Madonna	United States	1979-present^[82]	1983^[82]	Pop / dance / electronica^[82]	Total available certified units: 180.1 million US: 85.675 million^[11] JPN: 6.450 million ^[a]^[12]^[58] GER: 12.650 million^[13]^[83] UK: 30.285 million^[14] FRA: 12.805 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 6.030 million^[17] AUS: 5.372 million^[a]^[18]^[84]^[85] BRA: 3.490 million^[a]^[20] NLD: 1.745 million^[21] ITA: 3.345 million^[a]^[22]^[77]^[65] SPA: 2.815 million^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 1.070 million^[a]^[25]^[64] NOR: 280,000^[a]^[26]^[65] DEN: 747,000^[a]^[66]^[67]^[86]^[29]^[87]^[88] SWI: 1.280 million^[a]^[30]^[65] MEX: 550,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 2.102 million^[31]^[32]^[89] BEL: 1.015 million^[a]^[34]^[35]^[77] AUT: 645,000^[a]^[36]^[65] POL: 590,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 665,267^[52] NZ: 417,500^[38]^[39] POR: 102,000^[a]^[40]^[65]	300 million^[90]^[91] 275 million^[92]
Led Zeppelin	United Kingdom	1968-1980^[93]	1969^[93]	Hard rock / blues rock / folk rock^[93]	Total available certified units: 141.1 million US: 114.1 million^[11] JPN: 400,000 ^[a]^[12] GER: 3.775 million^[a]^[13] UK: 10.530 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 2.310 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[94] CAN: 4.710 million^[17] AUS: 2.8 million^[a]^[18]^[95]^[96] BRA: 820,000^[a]^[20] ITA: 535,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 450,000^[a]^[24]^[47]^[63] SWI: 211,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 360,000^[a]^[31] POL: 120,000^[a]^[37]	300 million^[97]^[98] 200 million^[99]^[100]
Rihanna	Barbados United States	2005-present^[101]	2005^[101]	R&B / pop / dance / hip-hop^[101]	Total available certified units: 303.8 million US: 220.050 million^[11] JPN: 1.4 million^[12]^[58] GER: 10.775 million^[13] UK: 43.5 million^[14] FRA: 1.615 million^[16] CAN: 3.2 million^[17] AUS: 10.060 million^[18] BRA: 885,000^[20] ITA: 2.075 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.470 million^[23] SWE: 2.560 million^[25]^[64] DEN: 1.970 million^[66]^[67]^[29]^[86]^[76]^[102]^[103]^[28] SWI: 860,000^[30] MEX: 860,000^[51] BEL: 660,000^[35] AUT: 135,000^[36] POL: 820,000^[37] IRE: 240,000^[104] NZ: 697,500^[38]^[39]	250 million^[105]^[106]
Pink Floyd	United Kingdom	1965-1996, 2005, 2012-2014^[107]^[108]	1967^[107]	Progressive rock / psychedelic rock^[107]	Total available certified units: 121.7 million US: 78 million^[11] JPN: 100,000^[a]^[109] GER: 7.5 million^[a]^[13] UK: 12.710 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 6.260 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 6.790 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 3.242 million^[a]^[18]^[19] BRA: 515,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 435,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 1.675 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 625,000^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46]^[63] SWE: 220,000^[a]^[25]^[64] NOR: 165,000^[a]^[26]^[110]^[65] DEN: 245,000^[a]^[66]^[29] SWI: 390,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 210,000^[a]^[51]^[111] ARG: 582,000^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 165,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 460,000^[a]^[36] POL: 710,000^[a]^[37] NZ: 787,500^[a]^[38]^[39]	250 million^[112]^[113] 200 million^[114]

The column for certified sales includes markets, the databases of which contain certifications representing figures of 100,000 and more.

200 million to 249 million records

Artist	Country / Market	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)^[a]	Claimed sales
Eminem	United States	1996-present^[115]	1999^[115]	Hip-hop^[115]	Total available certified units: 244.9 million US: 168.2 million^[11] JPN: 2.9 million^[12]^[58] GER: 8.1 million^[13] UK: 39.925 million^[14] FRA: 3.565 million^[16]^[94] CAN: 4.530 million^[17] AUS: 8.977 million^[18] BRA: 240,000^[20] NLD: 250,000^[21] ITA: 1.235 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 290,000^[23]^[63] SWE: 970,000^[25]^[64] NOR: 340,000^[26]^[110] DEN: 1.991 million^[a]^[66]^[29] SWI: 805,000^[30] MEX: 365,000^[51] BEL: 505,000^[34]^[35] AUT: 377,500^[36] POL: 270,000^[37] FIN: 124,547^[52] IRE: 285,000^[a]^[104] NZ: 735,000^[38]^[39]	220 million^[116]
Taylor Swift	United States	2006-present^[117]	2006^[117]	Pop / country / country pop / rock / folk / alternative^[118]	Total available certified units: 232.9 million US: 189.5 million^[11] JPN: 3.3 million^[12]^[58] GER: 1.850 million^[13] UK: 18.8 million^[14] FRA: 450,000^[16] CAN: 6.060 million^[17] AUS: 8.145 million^[18] BRA: 670,000^[20] ITA: 405,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 120,000^[23] SWE: 320,000^[64] NOR: 1.080 million^[26]^[110] DEN: 680,000^[29] MEX: 510,000^[51] AUT: 130,000^[36] POL: 370,000^[37] NZ: 525,000^[38]^[39]	200 million^[119]
Mariah Carey	United States	1988-present^[120]	1990^[120]	R&B / pop / soul / hip-hop^[120]	Total available certified units: 182 million US: 129.3 million^[11] JPN: 14.5 million ^[a]^[12]^[58]^[121] GER: 4.050 million^[13] UK: 13.860 million^[14] FRA: 4.690 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 4.1 million^[17] AUS: 5.265 million^[a]^[18]^[122] BRA: 875,000^[20] NLD: 1.425 million^[21] ITA: 110,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.1 million^[23]^[24]^[47]^[63] SWE: 425,000^[25] NOR: 575,000^[a]^[26]^[110] DEN: 375,000^[29]^[123] SWI: 515,000^[30] BEL: 325,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 200,000^[36] POL: 100,000^[a]^[37] NZ: 250,000^[a]^[38]	200 million^[124]
Queen	United Kingdom	1971-present^[125]	1973^[125]	Rock^[125]	Total available certified units: 167.8 million US: 85.5 million^[11] JPN: 3.6 million^[a]^[12]^[58]^[126] GER: 12.525 million^[a]^[13] UK: 41.710 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 5.120 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 2.470 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 3.792 million^[a]^[18]^[19] BRA: 970,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 1.990 million^[a]^[21] ITA: 1.555 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.920 million^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47] SWE: 190,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 150,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 935,000^[29] SWI: 1.256 million^[a]^[30] ARG: 1.080 million^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 190,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 900,000^[a]^[36] POL: 940,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 366,152^[52] NZ: 515,000^[a]^[38]^[39] POR: 172,000^[a]^[40]^[127]	200 million^[128]
Eagles	United States	1971-1980, 1994-present^[129]	1972^[129]	Rock^[129]	Total available certified units: 151.5 million US: 127.9 million^[11] JPN: 600,000^[a]^[12] GER: 925,000^[a]^[13] UK: 9.435 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 2.040 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 4.2 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 4.025 million^[a]^[18]^[130] NLD: 540,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 200,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 500,000^[a]^[23]^[24] SWE: 140,000^[a]^[25] DEN: 230,000^[a]^[67]^[29] SWI: 290,000^[a]^[30] FIN: 124,749^[52] NZ: 367,500^[a]^[38]^[39]	200 million^[131]
Whitney Houston	United States	1977-2012^[132]	1984^[132]	R&B / soul / pop / gospel^[132]	Total available certified units: 146.5 million US: 100.875 million^[11] JPN: 4.3 million^[a]^[12]^[133] GER: 5.6 million^[a]^[13] UK: 18.845 million^[14] FRA: 3.375 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 3.750 million^[17] AUS: 2.175 million^[a]^[18]^[19]^[134] BRA: 1.045 million^[a]^[20] NLD: 780,000^[21] ITA: 265,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.260 million^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47] SWE: 1.035 million^[a]^[25] NOR: 420,000^[a]^[26]^[77]^[65] DEN: 470,000^[67]^[29] SWI: 845,000^[a]^[30] BEL: 480,000^[a]^[34]^[35]^[77] AUT: 535,000^[a]^[36] POL: 240,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 247,222^[52]	200 million^[135] 170 million^[136]
Celine Dion	Canada	1981-present^[137]	1981^[d]^[137]	Pop^[137]	Total available certified units: 136.1 million US: 61.550 million^[11] JPN: 7.150 million^[a]^[12]^[138]^[139] GER: 8 million^[13] UK: 15.215 million^[14] FRA: 15.818 million^[15]^[16]^[59]^[94] CAN: 12.325 million^[17] AUS: 3.827 million^[a]^[18]^[19] BRA: 505,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 2.180 million^[21] SPA: 1 million^[47]^[63] SWE: 1.105 million^[a]^[25] NOR: 860,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 755,000^[a]^[49]^[140]^[141]^[29] SWI: 1.685 million^[a]^[30] ARG: 340,000^[31] BEL: 2.160 million^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 440,000^[a]^[36] POL: 700,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 356,183^[52] NZ: 192,500^[38]^[39]	200 million^[142] 175 million^[143]
AC/DC	Australia	1973-present^[144]	1975^[144]	Hard rock / blues rock / rock and roll^[144]	Total available certified units: 127.1 million US: 87.2 million^[11] GER: 10.5 million^[a]^[13] UK: 7.765 million^[14] FRA: 4.380 million^[15]^[16] CAN: 2.490 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 7.855 million^[a]^[18] ITA: 900,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.375 million^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 350,000^[a]^[25]^[64] DEN: 450,000^[67]^[29]^[145] SWI: 914,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 1.260 million^[a]^[51] ARG: 594,000^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 100,000^[a]^[35] AUT: 395,000^[a]^[36] POL: 115,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 321,169^[52] NZ: 140,000^[a]^[38]^[39]	200 million^[146] 150 million^[147]
The Rolling Stones	United Kingdom	1962-present^[148]	1963^[148]	Rock / blues rock^[148]	Total available certified units: 101.4 million US: 74.750 million^[11] JPN: 950,000^[a]^[12] GER: 3.8 million^[a]^[13] UK: 10.930 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 3.380 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 3.025 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 697,500^[a]^[18] BRA: 100,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 610,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 330,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 690,000^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 310,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 100,000^[a]^[26] SWI: 238,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 718,000^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 220,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 300,000^[a]^[36] POL: 140,000^[a]^[37] NZ: 190,000^[a]^[38]^[39]	200 million^[149]

120 million to 199 million records

Artist	Country / Market	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)^[a]	Claimed sales
Drake	Canada	2001-present^[150]	2009^[150]	Hip-hop / R&B / pop^[150]	Total available certified units: 367.5 million US: 291.84 million^[11] GER: 2.450 million^[13] UK: 45.920 million^[14] FRA: 3.299 million^[16] CAN: 9.6 million^[17] AUS: 5.365 million^[18] BRA: 390,000^[20] ITA: 1.825 million^[22] SPA: 520,000^[23] SWE: 1.310 million^[25]^[64] DEN: 2.365 million^[29] MEX: 1.170 million^[51] BEL: 295,000^[35] AUT: 112,500^[36] POL: 390,000^[37] NZ: 517,500^[38] POR: 175,000^[127]	170 million^[151]
Garth Brooks	United States	1989-present^[152]	1989^[152]	Country^[152]	Total available certified units: 165.3 million US: 158.4 million^[11] UK: 520,000^[14] CAN: 5.730 million^[17] AUS: 595,000^[a]^[18]^[153] IRE: 120,000^[a]^[104]	170 million^[154]
Kanye West	United States	1996-present^[155]	2003^[155]	Hip-hop / electronic / pop rock^[155]	Total available certified units: 221.1 million US: 189.550 million^[11] JPN: 200,000^[156] GER: 1.750^[13] UK: 23.360 million^[14] FRA: 225,000^[16] CAN: 1.180 million^[17] AUS: 2.940 million^[18] ITA: 515,000^[a]^[22] SWE: 300,000^[64] DEN: 965,000^[67]^[29]^[86]^[157] NZ: 162,500^[38]^[39]	160 million^[158]
Justin Bieber	Canada United States	2008-present^[159]	2009^[159]	Pop / teen pop / dance pop^[159]	Total available certified units: 240.8 million US: 163 million^[11] JPN: 850,000^[12]^[58] GER: 5.6 million^[13] UK: 30.885 million^[14] FRA: 1.531 million^[16] CAN: 8.180 million^[17] AUS: 7.595 million^[18] BRA: 1 million^[20] ITA: 2.6 million^[22] SPA: 1.3 million^[23] SWE: 2.675 million^[25]^[64] NOR: 3.480 million^[110] DEN: 4.825 million^[29] SWI: 115,000^[30] MEX: 4.380 million^[51] BEL: 630,000^[35] AUT: 200,000^[36] POL: 720,000^[37] NZ: 1.140 million^[38] POR: 120,000^[127]	150 million^[160]
Ed Sheeran	United Kingdom	2004-present^[161]	2011^[161]	Pop / folk pop^[161]	Total available certified units: 204.1 million US: 85 million^[11] JPN: 350,000^[12]^[58] GER: 11.450 million^[13] UK: 63.920 million^[14] FRA: 2.690 million^[16] CAN: 10.860 million^[17] AUS: 10.565 million^[18] BRA: 400,000^[20] NLD: 370,000^[21] ITA: 4.125 million^[22] SPA: 1.180 million^[23] SWE: 1.6 million^[64] NOR: 395,000^[110] DEN: 5.3 million^[29] SWI: 675,000^[30] MEX: 270,000^[51] BEL: 860,000^[35] AUT: 527,500^[36] POL: 1.830 million^[37] NZ: 1.590 million^[38] POR: 225,000^[127]	150 million^[162]
Billy Joel	United States	1964-present^[163]	1971^[163]	Pop / rock^[163]	Total available certified units: 119.7 million US: 102.350 million^[11] JPN: 2 million^[a]^[12]^[164] GER: 1.250 million^[a]^[13] UK: 7.615 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 925,000^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 3.275 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 1.687^[a]^[18]^[19] NLD: 350,000^[a]^[21] AUT: 125,000^[a]^[36] NZ: 162,500^[a]^[38]	150 million^[165]
U2	Ireland	1976-present^[166]	1980^[166]	Rock^[166]	Total available certified units: 112.6 million US: 53.1 million^[11] JPN: 1.450 million^[a]^[12] GER: 5.625 million^[13] UK: 21.520 million^[14] FRA: 5.325 million^[15]^[16] CAN: 7.155 million^[17] AUS: 4.622 million^[a]^[18]^[19]^[167] BRA: 2.675 million^[a]^[20] NLD: 945,000^[21] ITA: 1 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 2.295 million^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 515,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 150,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 733,000^[a]^[66]^[67]^[29]^[76]^[168] SWI: 771,000^[a]^[30]^[65] MEX: 835,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 806,000^[31]^[32] BEL: 750,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 522,500^[a]^[36] POL: 370,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 235,460^[52] IRE: 316,000^[a]^[104] NZ: 775,000^[38]^[39] POR: 183,000^[a]^[40]^[127]	150 million^[169]
Barbra Streisand	United States	1960-present^[170]	1963^[170]	Pop / adult contemporary^[170]	Total available certified units: 98.3 million US: 82.450 million^[11] GER: 750,000^[a]^[13] UK: 5.825 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 3.150 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 2.650 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 2.222 million^[a]^[18] NLD: 710,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 150,000^[a]^[63] SWE: 120,000^[25]^[64] FIN: 186,501^[a]^[52] NZ: 142,500^[a]^[38]	150 million^[171]
Phil Collins	United Kingdom	1980-2011, 2015-present^[172]	1981^[172]	Rock / progressive rock / adult contemporary^[172]	Total available certified units: 95.4 million US: 43.350 million^[11] JPN: 800,000^[a]^[12] GER: 14.3 million^[13] UK: 16.250 million^[14] FRA: 6.410 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 3.875 million^[17] AUS: 1.595 million^[a]^[18]^[19] BRA: 1.370 million^[a]^[20] NLD: 1.150 million^[21] ITA: 425,000^[a]^[22]^[65] SPA: 2.150 million^[23]^[24]^[47]^[63] SWE: 245,000^[a]^[25] DEN: 280,000^[a]^[29]^[173] SWI: 973,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 1.144 million^[31]^[32] BEL: 355,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 465,000^[a]^[36] FIN: 182,581^[52] NZ: 140,000^[38]^[39]	150 million^[174]
Aerosmith	United States	1970-present^[175]	1973^[175]	Hard rock^[175]	Total available certified units: 87.1 million US: 70.250 million^[11] JPN: 2.7 million^[a]^[12]^[58] GER: 2 million^[a]^[13] UK: 4.910 million^[14] FRA: 225,000^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 3.950 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 365,000^[a]^[18]^[176] BRA: 600,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 200,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 125,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 200,000^[a]^[23]^[47] SWE: 260,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 150,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 195,000^[a]^[29] SWI: 145,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 230,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 338,000^[a]^[31]^[32] AUT: 125,000^[a]^[36] POL: 100,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 101,722^[52]	150 million^[177]
ABBA	Sweden	1972-1982, 2016-present^[178]	1972^[178]	Pop / disco^[178]	Total available certified units: 65.9 million US: 12.7 million^[11] JPN: 1.5 million^[a]^[58]^[179]^[180] GER: 10.7 million^[a]^[13] UK: 22.640 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 2.750 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 2.785 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 5.627 million^[a]^[18]^[181] BRA: 275,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 1.390 million^[a]^[21] ITA: 175,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.005 million^[a]^[23]^[46] SWE: 800,000^[a]^[25] DEN: 825,000^[a]^[29]^[182]^[183]^[184] SWI: 600,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 260,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 238,000^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 380,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 175,000^[a]^[36] POL: 220,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 656,319^[52] NZ: 297,500^[a]^[39]^[185]^[186]	150 million^[187] 100 million^[188]
Katy Perry	United States	2001-present^[189]	2008^[189]	Pop^[189]	Total available certified units: 158.9 million US: 117.9 million^[11] JPN: 400,000^[12]^[58] GER: 4 million^[13] UK: 17.110 million^[14] FRA: 867,000^[16] CAN: 6.360 million^[17] AUS: 6.840 million^[18] BRA: 685,000^[20] ITA: 870,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 180,000^[23] SWE: 600,000^[25]^[64] NOR: 850,000^[110] DEN: 355,000^[66]^[29] SWI: 160,000^[30] MEX: 1.080 million^[51] BEL: 135,000^[35] AUT: 247,500^[36] NZ: 360,000^[38]^[39]	143 million^[190]
Chris Brown	United States	2005-present^[191]	2005^[191]	Pop / R&B / hip-hop^[191]	Total available certified units: 163.4 million US: 132.550 million^[11] JPN: 500,000^[58] GER: 800,000^[13] UK: 18.680 million^[14] CAN: 1.710 million^[17] AUS: 5.985 million^[18] BRA: 630,000^[20] ITA: 140,000^[22] SWE: 370,000^[64] NOR: 315,000^[110] DEN: 760,000^[29] MEX: 540,000^[51] NZ: 422,500^[38]^[39]	140 million^[192]
Bruce Springsteen	United States	1972-present^[193]	1973^[193]	Rock^[193]	Total available certified units: 106.9 million US: 76.150 million^[11] JPN: 400,000^[a]^[12] GER: 4.325 million^[a]^[13] UK: 10.150 million^[14] FRA: 1.937 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 3.2 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 3.432 million^[a]^[18] BRA: 100,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 740,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 695,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.770 million^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 810,000^[a]^[25]^[64] NOR: 340,000^[a]^[26]^[65] DEN: 555,000^[a]^[66]^[29]^[86]^[194] SWI: 535,000^[a]^[30]^[65] MEX: 280,000^[a]^[51] BEL: 230,000^[35]^[77] AUT: 290,000^[a]^[36] FIN: 449,800^[52] IRE: 189,500^[a]^[104] NZ: 375,000^[38]^[39]	135 million^[195]
Bruno Mars	United States	2004-present^[196]	2010^[196]	Pop rock / R&B^[196]	Total available certified units: 194.8 million US: 146.5 million^[11] JPN: 1.2 million^[12]^[58] GER: 3.8 million^[13] UK: 21.6 million^[14] FRA: 1.950 million^[16] CAN: 6.76 million^[17] AUS: 6.615 million^[18] NLD: 105,000^[21] ITA: 1.135 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 510,000^[23] SWE: 440,000^[25]^[64] DEN: 1.160 million^[a]^[29]^[197] SWI: 415,000^[30] MEX: 1.140 million^[51] BEL: 360,000^[35] AUT: 180,000^[36] NZ: 667,500^[38] PHL: 330,000^[198]	130 million^[199]
Jay-Z	United States	1996-present^[200]	1996^[200]	Hip-hop^[200]	Total available certified units: 122.5 million US: 101.2 million^[11] JPN: 1.050 million^[58] GER: 2 million^[13] UK: 13.980 million^[14] FRA: 400,000^[16] CAN: 1.730 million^[17] AUS: 1.260 million^[18] ITA: 310,000^[a]^[22] SWE: 210,000^[25]^[64] DEN: 275,000^[66]^[29] BEL: 100,000^[35]	125 million^[201]
Metallica	United States	1981-present^[202]	1983^[202]	Heavy metal / thrash metal^[202]	Total available certified units: 104.9 million US: 73.3 million^[11] JPN: 900,000^[a]^[12] GER: 10.025 million^[13] UK: 5.135 million^[14] FRA: 940,000^[15]^[16] CAN: 3.885 million^[17] AUS: 3.267 million^[a]^[18]^[19]^[203] BRA: 380,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 460,000^[21] ITA: 230,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 420,000^[23]^[47]^[63] SWE: 675,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 320,000^[a]^[26]^[110] DEN: 365,000^[29]^[67] SWI: 560,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 430,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 874,000^[31]^[32] BEL: 385,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 340,000^[a]^[36] POL: 1.195 million^[a]^[37] FIN: 530,676^[52] NZ: 315,000^[38]^[39]	125 million^[204]
Lady Gaga	United States	2005-present^[205]	2008^[205]	Pop / dance / electronic^[205]	Total available certified units: 152.9 million US: 105 million^[11] JPN: 5.4 million^[12]^[58] GER: 4.5 million^[13] UK: 18.185 million^[14] FRA: 3.303 million^[16] CAN: 3.6 million^[17] AUS: 4.370 million^[18] BRA: 470,000^[20] NLD: 130,000^[21] ITA: 1.440 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 630,000^[23] SWE: 680,000^[25]^[64] NOR: 1.215 million^[26]^[110] DEN: 935,000^[67]^[29]^[28] SWI: 535,000^[30] MEX: 420,000^[51] BEL: 485,000^[35] AUT: 227,500^[36] POL: 730,000^[37] IRE: 165,000^[104] NZ: 472,500^[38]^[39] POR: 100,000^[40]^[127]	124 million^[206]
Lil Wayne	United States	1996-present^[207]	1999^[207]	Hip-hop^[207]	Total available certified units: 162.6 million US: 154.5 million^[11] GER: 300,000^[13] UK: 6 million^[14] FRA: 100,000^[16] CAN: 360,000^[17] AUS: 1.2 million^[18] DEN: 190,000^[29]	120 million^[208]
Maroon 5	United States	1994-present^[209]	2002^[209]	Pop rock / funk rock / dance-pop^[209]	Total available certified units: 136.2 million US: 93.5 million^[11] JPN: 2.150 million^[12]^[58] GER: 3.150 million^[13] UK: 16.2 million^[14] FRA: 1.425 million^[16] CAN: 5.965 million^[17] AUS: 4.305 million^[18] BRA: 1.050 million^[20] ITA: 1.280 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 350,000^[a]^[23] SWE: 850,000^[25]^[64] DEN: 947,500^[a]^[29]^[67]^[66] MEX: 4.055 million^[51] SWI: 100,000^[30] BEL: 185,000^[35] POL: 240,000^[37] NZ: 450,000^[38]	120 million^[210]
Adele	United Kingdom	2006-present^[211]	2008^[211]	Pop / soul^[211]	Total available certified units: 118.5 million US: 61 million^[11] JPN: 100,000^[12] GER: 4.7 million^[13] UK: 28.650 million^[14] FRA: 105,000^[16] CAN: 8.220 million^[17] AUS: 4.095 million^[18] BRA: 1.950 million^[20] NLD: 380,000^[21] ITA: 1.675 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 800,000^[23] SWE: 320,000^[25]^[64] NOR: 835,000^[26]^[110] DEN: 1.117 million^[66]^[29] MEX: 2.230 million^[51] SWI: 510,000^[30] BEL: 795,000^[35] POL: 300,000^[37] FIN: 151,639^[52] NZ: 622,500^[38]	120 million^[212]
Fleetwood Mac	United Kingdom United States	1967-present^[213]	1968^[213]	Rock / pop^[213]	Total available certified units: 89.6 million US: 56.250 million^[11] GER: 3.5 million^[a]^[13] UK: 20.985 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 800,000^[a]^[15]^[16] AUS: 3.327 million^[a]^[18]^[19] CAN: 2.950 million^[a]^[17] NLD: 590,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 300,000^[a]^[47]^[63] SWI: 100,000^[a]^[30] BEL: 100,000^[a]^[35] NZ: 712,500^[a]^[39]^[214]^[215]	120 million^[216]
Rod Stewart	United Kingdom	1964-present^[217]	1969^[217]	Rock / pop^[217]	Total available certified units: 84.7 million US: 46.650 million^[11] JPN: 500,000^[a]^[12] GER: 4.050 million^[a]^[13] UK: 20.690 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 1.8 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 4.055 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 3.660 million^[a]^[18]^[19] BRA: 980,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 140,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 290,000^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46] SWE: 440,000^[a]^[25] SWI: 100,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 524,000^[a]^[31]^[32] AUT: 175,000^[a]^[36]^[77]^[65] POL: 220,000^[a]^[37] IRE: 195,000^[a]^[104] NZ: 285,000^[a]^[38]^[39]	120 million^[218]
Bee Gees	United Kingdom Australia^[219]^[220]	1963-2003 2009-2012^[221]	1963^[221]	Pop / disco^[221]	Total available certified units: 71.4 million US: 42.5 million^[11] JPN: 300,000^[a]^[12]^[222]^[223] GER: 7.175 million^[a]^[13] UK: 10.165 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 3.4 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 3.215 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 1.987 million^[a]^[18] BRA: 350,000^[a]^[20] ITA: 110,000^[a]^[22] NLD: 540,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 450,000^[a]^[24]^[46]^[63] SWI: 415,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 188,000^[a]^[31]^[32] AUT: 125,000^[a]^[36] POL: 100,000^[a]^[37] NZ: 380,000^[a]^[38]^[39]	120 million^[224]

100 million to 119 million records

Artist	Country / Market	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)^[a]	Claimed sales
Beyoncé	United States	1997-present^[225]	2002^[225]^[226]	R&B / pop^[225]	Total available certified units: 101.9 million US: 66.450 million^[11] JPN: 1.7 million^[12]^[58] GER: 1.550 million^[13] UK: 22.370 million^[14] FRA: 560,000^[16]^[94] CAN: 1.675 million^[17] AUS: 3.395 million^[18] BRA: 920,000^[20] ITA: 410,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.310 million^[a]^[23]^[227] SWE: 120,000^[25]^[64] NOR: 115,000^[26]^[110] DEN: 634,000^[67]^[29]^[86]^[28]^[228]^[229] SWI: 165,000^[30] MEX: 140,000^[51] BEL: 135,000^[35] POL: 110,000^[37] NZ: 230,000^[38]^[39]	118 million^[230]
Nicki Minaj	United States	2008-present^[231]	2010^[231]	Hip-hop / pop^[231]	Total available certified units: 139.7 million US: 106.100 million^[11] JPN: 450,000^[58] GER: 2.450 million^[13] UK: 16.6 million^[14] FRA: 1.099 million^[16] CAN: 2.6 million^[17] AUS: 3.885 million^[18] BRA: 310,000^[20] ITA: 775,000^[22] SPA: 580,000^[23] SWE: 420,000^[25]^[64] NOR: 595,000^[110] DEN: 340,000^[29] SWI: 120,000^[30] MEX: 3.210 million^[51] NZ: 247,500^[38]	100 million^[232]
Coldplay	United Kingdom	1996-present^[233]	1999^[233]	Alternative rock / pop rock / pop^[233]	Total available certified units: 100 million US: 36.6 million^[11] JPN: 750,000^[12]^[58] GER: 5.050 million^[13] UK: 33.805 million^[14] FRA: 3.153 million^[16] CAN: 3.625 million^[17] AUS: 4.075 million^[18] BRA: 360,000^[20] NLD: 410,000^[21] ITA: 3.220 million^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.030 million^[23] SWE: 750,000^[25]^[64] NOR: 260,000^[26]^[110] DEN: 1.509 million^[66]^[29] SWI: 570,000^[30] MEX: 2.250 million^[51] ARG: 528,000^[31]^[32] BEL: 765,000^[35] AUT: 197,500^[36] POL: 420,000^[a]^[37] IRE: 210,000^[a]^[104] NZ: 345,000^[38] POR: 139,000^[a]^[40]^[127]^[234]	100 million^[235]
Linkin Park	United States	1996-present^[236]	2000^[236]	Alternative rock / nu metal / rap rock^[236]	Total available certified units: 91.4 million US: 63.6 million^[11] JPN: 1.550 million^[12]^[58] GER: 6.2 million^[13] UK: 11.885 million^[14] FRA: 1.025 million^[16] CAN: 1.330 million^[17] AUS: 1.485 million^[18] BRA: 670,000^[20] ITA: 960,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 200,000^[23] SWE: 165,000^[25]^[64] DEN: 510,000^[66]^[29] SWI: 435,000^[30] MEX: 225,000^[51] ARG: 108,000^[31]^[32] BEL: 140,000^[35] AUT: 260,000^[36] POL: 220,000^[37] FIN: 120,469^[52] NZ: 260,000^[38]^[39] POR: 130,000^[a]^[40]^[127]^[234]	100 million^[237]
Bon Jovi	United States	1983-present^[238]	1983^[238]	Hard rock / glam metal^[238]	Total available certified units: 87.4 million US: 49.9 million^[11] JPN: 4.4 million^[a]^[12]^[58] GER: 5.650 million^[13] UK: 11.190 million^[14] FRA: 825,000^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 4.735 million^[17] AUS: 3.695 million^[a]^[18]^[239]^[240] BRA: 435,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 710,000^[21] ITA: 190,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.620 million^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 365,000^[a]^[25]^[64] DEN: 125,000^[a]^[67]^[29] SWI: 1.275 million^[a]^[30] MEX: 250,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 358,000^[31]^[32] BEL: 290,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 725,000^[a]^[36] POL: 120,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 422,500^[52] NZ: 210,000^[38]^[39]	100 million^[241]
B'z	Japan	1988-present^[242]	1988^[242]	Rock / pop rock / hard rock^[242]	Total available certified units: 86.1 million JPN: 86.150 million^[a]^[12]^[58]^[121]	100 million^[243]
Britney Spears	United States	1998-present^[244]	1998^[244]	Pop / dance / dance-pop^[244]	Total available certified units: 85.7 million US: 46.2 million^[11] JPN: 2.1 million^[12]^[133] GER: 5.350 million^[13] UK: 13.750 million^[14] FRA: 3.732 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 3.680 million^[17] AUS: 3.165 million^[18] BRA: 380,000^[20] NLD: 665,000^[21] ITA: 280,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 990,000^[23]^[47]^[63] SWE: 1.010 million^[25]^[64] NOR: 220,000^[26]^[110] DEN: 395,000^[a]^[66]^[67]^[245] SWI: 485,000^[30] MEX: 1.175 million^[a]^[51] ARG: 248,000^[31]^[32] BEL: 935,000^[34]^[35] AUT: 365,000^[36] POL: 210,000^[37] FIN: 143,627^[52] NZ: 240,000^[38]^[39]	100 million^[246]
George Strait	United States	1981-present^[247]	1984^[247]	Country^[247]	Total available certified units: 85.3 million US: 84.650 million^[11] CAN: 745,000^[17]	100 million^[248]
Shania Twain	Canada	1993-present^[249]	1993^[249]	Country pop^[249]	Total available certified units: 80.2 million US: 56.5 million^[11] JPN: 400,000^[12]^[58] GER: 1.750 million^[13] UK: 7.955 million^[14] FRA: 975,000^[16]^[59] CAN: 6.880 million^[17] AUS: 2.360 million^[a]^[18] BRA: 475,000^[20] NLD: 540,000^[21] SPA: 100,000^[63] SWE: 330,000^[25] NOR: 430,000^[26] DEN: 210,000^[a]^[66]^[29] SWI: 310,000^[30] MEX: 100,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 120,000^[31] BEL: 250,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 115,000^[36] NZ: 402,500^[38]^[39]	100 million^[250]
Guns N' Roses	United States	1985-present^[251]	1987^[251]	Hard rock / heavy metal^[251]	Total available certified units: 79.6 million US: 48.5 million^[11] JPN: 1.7 million^[a]^[12] GER: 4.1 million^[13] UK: 8.850 million^[14] FRA: 1 million^[16] CAN: 3.520 million^[17] AUS: 3.190 million^[a]^[18]^[19]^[130] BRA: 1.9 million^[a]^[20] NLD: 705,000^[21] ITA: 750,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 450,000^[23]^[24]^[46] SWE: 485,000^[25] NOR: 250,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 530,000^[a]^[29]^[252] SWI: 365,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 760,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 1.248 million^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 165,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 365,000^[36] POL: 160,000^[a]^[37] IRE: 105,000^[a]^[104] FIN: 267,540^[52] NZ: 270,000^[38]^[39]	100 million^[253]
Backstreet Boys	United States	1993-present^[254]	1995^[254]	Pop^[254]	Total available certified units: 78 million US: 44.5 million^[11] JPN: 5.4 million^[12]^[58]^[255] GER: 7 million^[13] UK: 5.075 million^[14] FRA: 325,000^[15]^[16] CAN: 3.630 million^[17] AUS: 2.485 million^[a]^[18] BRA: 1.625 million^[20] NLD: 830,000^[21] SPA: 1.850 million^[47]^[63] SWE: 655,000^[25] NOR: 140,000^[26] DEN: 465,000^[a]^[256]^[257]^[29] SWI: 415,000^[30] MEX: 1.475 million^[a]^[51] ARG: 740,000^[31] BEL: 450,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 325,000^[36] POL: 300,000^[37] FIN: 171,390^[52] NZ: 132,500^[38]	100 million^[258]
Eric Clapton	United Kingdom	1962-present^[259]	1970^[259]	Rock / blues^[259]	Total available certified units: 71.4 million US: 47.7 million^[11] JPN: 3.950 million^[a]^[12] GER: 3.030 million^[13] UK: 7.790 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 1.475 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 2.275 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 1.115 million^[a]^[18] BRA: 715,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 745,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 700,000^[a]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 320,000^[a]^[25]^[64] SWI: 385,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 420,000^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 125,000^[a]^[35] AUT: 285,000^[a]^[36] POL: 145,000^[37] FIN: 129,679^[a]^[52] NZ: 102,500^[a]^[38]	100 million^[260]
Neil Diamond	United States	1966-present^[261]	1966^[261]	Pop / rock^[261]	Total available certified units: 69.9 million US: 55.9 million^[11] GER: 1 million^[a]^[13] UK: 8.270 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 400,000^[a]^[15] CAN: 1.725 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 2.190 million^[a]^[18]^[262] NLD: 250,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 100,000^[a]^[46] NZ: 132,500^[a]^[38]^[39]	100 million^[263]
Prince	United States	1976-2016^[264]	1978^[264]	Funk / R&B / pop / soul / rock^[264]	Total available certified units: 65.5 million US: 48.950 million^[11] JPN: 300,000^[a]^[12] GER: 2.4 million^[13] UK: 7.445 million^[14] FRA: 2.110 million^[15]^[16] CAN: 1 million^[17] AUS: 1.120 million^[a]^[18]^[19] NLD: 670,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 700,000^[a]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 100,000^[25] DEN: 120,000^[a]^[29] SWI: 300,000^[a]^[30]^[65] AUT: 150,000^[a]^[36]^[65] NZ: 182,500^[a]^[38]	100 million^[265]
Paul McCartney	United Kingdom	1960-present^[266]	1970^[266]	Rock^[266]	Total available certified units: 63.7 million US: 42.450 million^[11] JPN: 500,000^[a]^[12] GER: 1.925 million^[a]^[13] UK: 13.725 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 1.305 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 1.955 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 745,000^[a]^[18]^[19] SPA: 640,000^[a]^[24]^[46] SWE: 210,000^[a]^[64]^[267] DEN: 255,000^[a]^[67]^[29]	100 million^[268]
Santana	United States	1966-present^[269]	1969^[269]	Rock^[269]	Total available certified units: 62.6 million US: 47.475 million^[11] JPN: 400,000^[a]^[12] GER: 2.4 million^[a]^[13] UK: 3.280 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 3.510 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 1.660 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 855,000^[a]^[18] BRA: 375,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 540,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 450,000^[a]^[47]^[63] SWE: 125,000^[a]^[25] SWI: 375,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 405,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 158,000^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 190,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 145,000^[a]^[36] POL: 205,000^[a]^[37] NZ: 135,000^[a]^[38]^[39]	100 million^[270]
Kenny Rogers	United States	1958-2020^[271]	1975^[271]	Country / pop^[271]	Total available certified units: 62.4 million US: 54.050 million^[11] JPN: 100,000^[a]^[272] UK: 3.320 million^[14] CAN: 4.6 million^[17] AUS: 175,000^[a]^[18] SPA: 100,000^[a]^[46] NZ: 130,000^[a]^[38]	100 million^[273]
Simon & Garfunkel	United States	1956-2004^[274]	1964^[274]	Folk rock^[274]	Total available certified units: 61.7 million US: 42.6 million^[11] JPN: 700,000^[a]^[12] GER: 2.325 million^[a]^[13] UK: 8.940 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 3.9 million^[a]^[15] CAN: 1.425 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 390,000^[a]^[18]^[19] NLD: 300,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 125,000^[a]^[22] SWE: 150,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 140,000^[a]^[26] SWI: 450,000^[a]^[30] AUT: 100,000^[a]^[36] FIN: 163,350^[a]^[52]	100 million^[275]
Janet Jackson	United States	1982-present^[276]	1982^[276]	R&B / pop^[276]	Total available certified units: 52.8 million US: 39.750 million^[11] JPN: 1.6 million ^[a]^[12] GER: 1.4 million^[13] UK: 4.960 million^[14] FRA: 1.475 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 1.460 million^[17] AUS: 1.155 million^[a]^[18]^[19] NLD: 400,000^[21] SPA: 150,000^[47]^[63] SWE: 105,000^[a]^[25] SWI: 170,000^[a]^[30] BEL: 175,000^[a]^[34]	100 million^[277]
Julio Iglesias	Spain	1968-present^[278]	1968^[278]	Latin^[278]	Total available certified units: 51.6 million US: 11 million^[11] JPN: 800,000^[a]^[279] GER: 250,000^[a]^[13] UK: 1.620 million^[a]^[14]^[279] FRA: 6.1 million^[15]^[16]^[59]^[279] CAN: 1.5 million^[17] AUS: 505,000^[a]^[18]^[279] BRA: 12.475 million^[a]^[20]^[279] NLD: 1.2 million^[a]^[21]^[279] ITA: 400,000^[a]^[22]^[279] SPA: 8.8 million^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63]^[279] SWE: 290,000^[a]^[25]^[279] MEX: 2.975 million^[a]^[51]^[279] ARG: 3.220 million^[a]^[31]^[279]^[33] BEL: 125,000^[a]^[279]^[35] FIN: 131,636^[a]^[52] POR: 268,000^[a]^[40]^[65]^[279]^[279]^[280]	100 million^[281]
Dire Straits	United Kingdom	1977-1995^[282]	1978^[282]	Rock^[282]	Total available certified units: 51.4 million US: 15.5 million^[11] GER: 3.750 million^[13] UK: 13.625 million^[14] FRA: 7.305 million^[15]^[16] CAN: 2.575 million^[17] AUS: 2.190 million^[a]^[18]^[19] BRA: 175,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 900,000^[21] ITA: 1.020 million^[a]^[22]^[65] SPA: 1.380 million^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47] SWE: 360,000^[a]^[25] DEN: 430,000^[a]^[67]^[66]^[29] SWI: 1 million^[a]^[30] BEL: 175,000^[a]^[34]^[35]^[77] AUT: 400,000^[a]^[36]^[65] FIN: 471,530^[52] NZ: 155,000^[a]^[39]	100 million^[283]
The Doors	United States	1965-1973^[284]	1967^[284]	Psychedelic rock^[284]	Total available certified units: 49 million US: 37.6 million^[11] GER: 1.750 million^[a]^[13] UK: 2.440 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 2.2 million^[a]^[15]^[16] CAN: 2.780 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 1.267 million^[a]^[18] BRA: 100,000^[20] ITA: 230,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 300,000^[a]^[46]^[63] SWI: 125,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 150,000^[a]^[31] AUT: 125,000^[a]^[36]^[77]	100 million^[285]
Chicago	United States	1967-present^[286]	1969^[286]	Rock / pop^[286]	Total available certified units: 48.5 million US: 44.150 million^[11] JPN: 400,000^[a]^[12]^[287] GER: 250,000^[a]^[13] UK: 1.490 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 100,000^[a]^[15] CAN: 1.865 million^[17] AUS: 105,000^[a]^[18] NLD: 100,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 100,000^[a]^[24]	100 million^[288]
Bob Dylan	United States	1959-present^[289]	1963^[289]	Folk / rock^[289]	Total available certified units: 47.2 million US: 35.6 million^[11] GER: 625,000^[a]^[13] UK: 7.390 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 800,000^[a]^[15]^[16] CAN: 1.5 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 690,000^[a]^[18] ITA: 125,000^[a]^[22] NOR: 250,000^[a]^[26] SWI: 175,000^[a]^[30] NZ: 105,000^[a]^[38]	100 million^[290]
Cher	United States	1964-present^[291]	1965^[291]	Pop / rock / dance / folk^[291]	Total available certified units: 43.1 million US: 21.9 million^[11] JPN: 100,000^[a]^[12] GER: 4.175 million^[a]^[13] UK: 8.290 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 1.525 million^[a]^[16]^[59] CAN: 1.380 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 1.530 million^[a]^[18]^[292] BRA: 125,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 375,000^[a]^[21]^[293]^[294] ITA: 325,000^[a]^[295]^[22] SPA: 600,000^[a]^[47]^[63]^[295] SWE: 850,000^[a]^[25]^[64] NOR: 115,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 460,000^[a]^[295]^[29] SWI: 295,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 200,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 106,000^[a]^[31] BEL: 275,000^[a]^[34] AUT: 250,000^[a]^[36] POL: 100,000^[a]^[37] NZ: 150,000^[38]^[296]	100 million^[297]
Def Leppard	United Kingdom	1977-present^[298]	1979^[298]	Hard rock / heavy metal^[298]	Total available certified units: 42.6 million US: 36.150 million^[11] JPN: 300,000^[a]^[12] UK: 2.120 million^[14] FRA: 200,000^[15] CAN: 2.995 million^[17] AUS: 407,500^[19]^[299] SWE: 150,000^[a]^[25] SWI: 125,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 200,000^[a]^[51]	100 million^[300]
Genesis	United Kingdom	1967-1999 2006-present^[301]	1969^[301]	Progressive rock / pop rock^[301]	Total available certified units: 40.3 million US: 21.650 million^[11] JPN: 100,000^[a]^[12] GER: 5.875 million^[a]^[13] UK: 7.565 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 3.260 million^[a]^[15]^[16] CAN: 805,000^[a]^[17] NLD: 300,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 250,000^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46] SWE: 100,000^[a]^[25] SWI: 450,000^[a]^[30]^[65]	100 million^[302]
David Bowie	United Kingdom	1962-2016^[303]	1967^[303]	Art rock / glam rock / pop^[303]	Total available certified units: 38.8 million US: 13.7 million^[11] JPN: 200,000^[a]^[12] GER: 525,000^[a]^[13] UK: 17.395 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 2.430 million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 2.315 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 845,000^[a]^[18]^[75] NLD: 465,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 470,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 170,000^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46] DEN: 155,000^[a]^[29] NZ: 142,500^[a]^[38]	100 million^[304]
Stevie Wonder	United States	1961-present^[305]	1962^[305]	Funk / R&B / soul^[305]	Total available certified units: 37.9 million US: 21.650 million^[11] JPN: 1.050 million^[a]^[12] GER: 750,000^[a]^[13] UK: 10.845 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 1.4 million^[a]^[15]^[59] CAN: 1.550 million^[17] NLD: 250,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 100,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 250,000^[a]^[46] DEN: 135,000^[a]^[29]	100 million^[306]
James Taylor	United States	1968-present^[307]	1970^[307]	Rock / pop^[307]	Total available certified units: 36.5 million US: 35.250 million^[11] UK: 1.055 million^[a]^[14] CAN: 100,000^[a]^[17] AUS: 100,000^[a]^[18]	100 million^[308]
Olivia Newton-John	Australia	1966-present^[309]	1966^[309]	Pop^[309]	Total available certified units: 36.1 million US: 27 million^[11] JPN: 100,000^[a]^[12] GER: 500,000^[a]^[13] UK: 3.950 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 1 million^[59] CAN: 3.025 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 450,000^[a]^[18]^[19]^[310] NLD: 150,000^[a]^[21]	100 million^[311]
Tina Turner	United States	1958-2009^[312]	1960^[313]	Rock / pop^[313]	Total available certified units: 35.6 million US: 12.7 million^[11] GER: 6.3 million^[13] UK: 9.635 million^[14] FRA: 1.135 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 1.6 million^[17] AUS: 480,000^[a]^[18]^[19] NLD: 565,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 700,000^[a]^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47] SWE: 330,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 185,000^[a]^[26] SWI: 675,000^[a]^[30] BEL: 190,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 745,000^[a]^[36]^[77] POL: 140,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 241,954^[52]	100 million^[314]
Linda Ronstadt	United States	1967-present^[315]	1968^[315]	Rock / folk / country^[315]	Total available certified units: 33.2 million US: 31.5 million^[11] UK: 435,000^[a]^[14] FRA: 100,000^[a]^[15] CAN: 500,000^[a]^[17] AUS: 665,000^[a]^[18]	100 million^[316]
The Beach Boys	United States	1961-present^[317]	1962^[317]	Rock / pop / surf rock^[317]	Total available certified units: 32.3 million US: 25.6 million^[11] GER: 250,000^[a]^[13] UK: 5.210 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 400,000^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 100,000^[a]^[17] AUS: 492,500^[a]^[18]^[19] SPA: 250,000^[a]^[46]^[47]	100 million^[318]
Donna Summer	United States	1968-2012^[319]	1974^[319]	Pop / disco / R&B^[319]	Total available certified units: 31.2 million US: 24.5 million^[11] UK: 3.995 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 900,000^[a]^[15]^[16] CAN: 1.550 million^[a]^[17] BRA: 100,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 100,000^[a]^[21] SPA: 100,000^[a]^[47]	100 million^[320]

80 million to 99 million records

Artist	Country / Market	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)^[a]	Claimed sales
Pink	United States	1995-present^[321]	2000^[321]	Pop / pop rock / R&B^[321]	Total available certified units: 82.4 million US: 33.725 million^[11] JPN: 400,000^[12] GER: 5.825 million^[13] UK: 20.065 million^[14] FRA: 1.198 million^[16]^[59] CAN: 4.570 million^[17] AUS: 10.430 million^[18] BRA: 1.530 million^[20] NLD: 215,000^[21] ITA: 450,000^[a]^[22] SWE: 610,000^[25] NOR: 215,000^[26]^[110] DEN: 381,500^[66]^[29] SWI: 675,000^[30] MEX: 720,000^[51] BEL: 235,000^[35] AUT: 437,500^[36] POL: 220,000^[37] NZ: 532,500^[38]^[39]	90 million^[322]
The Carpenters	United States	1969-1983^[323]	1969^[323]	Pop^[323]	Total available certified units: 46.7 million US: 34.6 million^[11] JPN: 3.050 million^[a]^[12]^[139]^[324] GER: 250,000^[a]^[13] UK: 8.450 million^[a]^[14] CAN: 275,000^[a]^[17] BRA: 100,000^[a]^[20]	90 million^[325]
Earth, Wind & Fire	United States	1969-present^[326]	1971^[326]	Funk / R&B / soul^[326]	Total available certified units: 43.8 million US: 37.7 million^[11] JPN: 500,000^[a]^[12]^[327]^[328] UK: 3,785 million^[14] FRA: 500,000^[15]^[16] CAN: 360,000^[17] AUS: 350,000^[a]^[18] NLD: 250,000^[a]^[21] DEN: 180,000^[a]^[29] MEX: 210,000^[a]^[51]	90 million^[329]
Lionel Richie	United States	1968-present^[330]	1981^[330]	Pop / R&B^[330]	Total available certified units: 42.7 million US: 28.650 million^[11] GER: 1.050 million^[a]^[13] UK: 7.855 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 1.4 million^[a]^[15]^[16] CAN: 2.380 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 260,000^[a]^[18]^[331] BRA: 100,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 605,000^[21] SPA: 150,000^[24]^[46] SWI: 170,000^[a]^[30]^[65] BEL: 100,000^[77]	90 million^[332]
Johnny Cash	United States	1954-2003^[333]	1956^[333]	Country / rock and roll / gospel^[333]	Total available certified units: 31.8 million US: 25.7 million^[11] GER: 550,000^[a]^[13] UK: 4.610 million^[a]^[14] CAN: 490,000^[a]^[17] AUS: 522,500^[a]^[18]	90 million^[334]
Justin Timberlake	United States	1992-present^[335]	2002^[335]	Pop / R&B / neo soul^[335]	Total available certified units: 76.9 million US: 48.2 million^[11] JPN: 100,000^[12] GER: 3.050 million^[13] UK: 16.320 million^[14] FRA: 678,000^[16]^[59] CAN: 2.720 million^[17] AUS: 2.520 million^[18] NLD: 105,000^[21] ITA: 520,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 120,000^[63] SWE: 210,000^[25] DEN: 805,000^[66]^[29] SWI: 250,000^[30] MEX: 690,000^[51] BEL: 300,000^[35] POL: 220,000^[37] NZ: 185,000^[38]	88 million^[336]
R.E.M.	United States	1980-2011^[337]	1983^[337]	Alternative rock^[337]	Total available certified units: 45.3 million US: 21.650 million^[11] GER: 4.275 million^[13] UK: 10.460 million^[14] FRA: 1.450 million^[15]^[16] CAN: 2.650 million^[17] AUS: 1.030 million^[a]^[18]^[19] BRA: 100,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 100,000^[21] ITA: 255,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 1.1 million^[23]^[24]^[47]^[63] SWE: 500,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 135,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 290,000^[a]^[66]^[67]^[29] SWI: 450,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 158,000^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 210,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 350,000^[a]^[36] IRE: 127,500^[a]^[104] NZ: 105,000^[38]	85 million^[338]
Flo Rida	United States	2007-present^[339]	2007^[339]	Hip-hop / hip house /EDM^[339]	Total available certified units: 84.1 million US: 58.5 million^[11] JPN: 650,000^[a]^[12]^[58] GER: 3.9 million^[13] UK: 11.260 million^[14] FRA: 225,000^[16] CAN: 3.090 million^[17] AUS: 3.605 million^[a]^[18] ITA: 460,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 140,000^[63] SWE: 780,000^[25] SWI: 420,000^[30] DEN: 375,000^[a]^[29] MEX: 330,000^[a]^[51] AUT: 210,000^[36] NZ: 247,500^[38]^[39]	80 million^[340]
Tim McGraw	United States	1990-present^[341]	1994^[341]	Country^[341]	Total available certified units: 73.8 million US: 72.150 million^[11] UK: 200,000^[14] CAN: 1.535 million^[17]	80 million^[342]
Van Halen	United States	1978-2020^[343]	1978^[343]	Hard rock / heavy metal^[343]	Total available certified units: 65.2 million US: 57.8 million^[11] JPN: 1.3 million^[a]^[12]^[133] GER: 1.5 million^[13] UK: 1.180^[14] FRA: 400,000^[15] CAN: 2.450 million^[17] AUS: 175,000^[a]^[18] BRA: 200,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 200,000^[21]	80 million^[344]
Journey	United States	1973-present^[345]	1975^[345]	Rock / soft rock^[345]	Total available certified units: 65.1 million US: 60.7 million^[11] JPN: 300,000^[a]^[12]^[346] UK: 3 million^[14] CAN: 725,000^[17] AUS: 420,000^[a]^[18]	80 million^[347]
Ayumi Hamasaki	Japan	1998-present^[348]	1998^[348]	J-pop / pop / dance / electronic^[348]	Total available certified units: 64.5 million JPN: 64.5 million^[12]^[58]^[121]	80 million^[349]^[350]
Red Hot Chili Peppers	United States	1983-present^[351]	1987^[351]	Funk rock / alternative rock^[351]	Total available certified units: 64.5 million US: 32.250 million^[11] JPN: 2.6 million^[a]^[12]^[58] GER: 3.450 million^[13] UK: 13.995 million^[14] FRA: 1.470 million^[16] CAN: 2.020 million^[17] AUS: 2.625 million^[a]^[18]^[19]^[352] BRA: 1 million^[a]^[20] NLD: 660,000^[21] ITA: 710,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 640,000^[23]^[47]^[63] SWE: 390,000^[a]^[25] SWI: 405,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 150,000^[a]^[51] DEN: 594,000^[a]^[66]^[67]^[86]^[29] BEL: 195,000^[a]^[35] ARG: 406,000^[31]^[32] AUT: 247,500^[a]^[36] POL: 245,000^[a]^[37] FIN: 171,951^[52] NZ: 285,000^[38]^[39]	80 million^[353]
George Michael	United Kingdom	1981-2016^[354]	1984^[354]	Pop^[354]	Total available certified units: 52 million US: 20.8 million^[11] JPN: 300,000^[a]^[12] GER: 2.4 million^[13] UK: 16.510 million^[14] FRA: 3.217 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 1.870 million^[17] AUS: 2.205 million^[a]^[18]^[19] BRA: 390,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 1.190 million^[21] SPA: 850,000^[23]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 310,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 160,000^[a]^[26]^[65] DEN: 490,000^[66]^[29]^[86]^[355] SWI: 335,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 118,000^[31]^[32] BEL: 315,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 140,000^[a]^[36] POL: 340,000^[a]^[37] NZ: 140,000^[38]^[39]	80 million^[356]
Foreigner	United States United Kingdom	1976-present^[357]	1977^[357]	Rock / hard rock^[357]	Total available certified units: 50.2 million US: 45.1 million^[11] GER: 1.5 million^[13] UK: 2.1 million^[14] FRA: 400,000^[15]^[16] CAN: 700,000^[17] AUS: 140,000^[a]^[18] NLD: 150,000^[21] SWI: 125,000^[a]^[30]	80 million^[358]
Meat Loaf	United States	1968-present^[359]	1977^[359]	Rock / hard rock^[359]	Total available certified units: 45.5 million US: 25.6 million^[11] GER: 2.350 million^[13] UK: 10.965 million^[14] CAN: 3.380 million^[17] AUS: 2.522 million^[a]^[18]^[19] NLD: 425,000^[21] SWE: 100,000^[a]^[25] SWI: 115,000^[a]^[30] AUT: 100,000^[a]^[36]	80 million^[360]
Tom Petty	United States	1976-2017^[361]	1977^[361]	Rock^[361]	Total available certified units: 35.8 million US: 31.750 million^[11] GER: 500,000^[13] UK: 1.660 million^[14] CAN: 1.7 million^[17] SWE: 200,000^[a]^[25]	80 million^[362]
Johnny Hallyday	France	1957-2017^[363]	1960^[363]	Rock / pop^[363]	Total available certified units: 28.8 million FRA: 28.020 million million^[a]^[15]^[16]^[59]^[94]^[364] SWI: 268,000^[a]^[30] BEL: 540,000^[a]^[34]^[35]	80 million^[365]

75 million to 79 million records

Artist	Country / Market	Period active	Release-year of first charted record	Genre	Total certified units (from available markets)^[a]	Claimed sales
The Weeknd	Canada	2010-present^[366]	2013^[366]	Pop / R&B^[366]	Total available certified units: 159.2 million US: 111.860 million^[11] GER: 4 million^[13] UK: 19.320 million^[14] FRA: 1.916 million^[16] CAN: 9.360 million^[17] AUS: 3.325 million^[18] BRA: 200,000^[20] ITA: 1.335 million^[22] SPA: 620,000^[23] SWE: 1.220 million^[64] NOR: 910,000^[110] DEN: 2.315 million^[29] MEX: 960,000^[51] BEL: 490,000^[35] AUT: 120,000^[36] POL: 740,000^[37] NZ: 367,500^[38] POR: 170,000^[127]	75 million^[367]
Luke Bryan	United States	2001-present^[368]	2007^[369]	Country / country pop^[369]	Total available certified units: 82.5 million US: 80.5 million^[11] CAN: 2.040 million^[17]	75 million^[370]
Alicia Keys	United States	1996-present^[371]	2001^[371]	Hip-hop / R&B / pop^[371]	Total available certified units: 75.4 million US: 58.050 million^[11] JPN: 1.050 million^[12]^[58] GER: 1.9 million^[13] UK: 8.020 million^[14] FRA: 1.127 million^[16] CAN: 1.420 million^[17] AUS: 1.750 million^[18] NLD: 360,000^[21] ITA: 220,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 260,000^[23] SWE: 200,000^[25]^[64] DEN: 277,500^[a]^[29]^[66] SWI: 275,000^[30] MEX: 240,000^[51] BEL: 185,000^[35] AUT: 115,000^[36]	75 million^[372]
Usher	United States	1991-present^[369]	1994^[369]	R&B / pop^[369]	Total available certified units: 67.6 million US: 46.515 million^[11] JPN: 750,000^[12]^[58] GER: 1.150 million^[13] UK: 12.525 million^[14] FRA: 210,000^[16] CAN: 1.810 million^[17] AUS: 3.942 million^[18] SWE: 105,000^[25]^[64] DEN: 337,500^[a]^[29]^[67] SWI: 170,000^[30] NZ: 150,000^[38]	75 million^[373]
Christina Aguilera	United States	1993-present^[374]	1998^[374]	R&B / pop / rock^[374]	Total available certified units: 67.3 million US: 44.7 million^[11] JPN: 600,000^[12]^[58] GER: 2.075 million^[13] UK: 10.270 million^[14] FRA: 575,000^[16] CAN: 3.020 million^[17] AUS: 2.620 million^[18] BRA: 100,000^[20] NLD: 170,000^[21] ITA: 215,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 310,000^[a]^[23]^[63] SWE: 500,000^[25]^[64] DEN: 400,500^[a]^[67]^[29]^[86] SWI: 225,000^[30] MEX: 885,000^[51] ARG: 100,000^[31] BEL: 240,000^[35] AUT: 140,000^[36] NZ: 195,000^[38]	75 million^[375]
The Black Eyed Peas	United States	1995-present^[376]	1998^[376]	Hip-hop / R&B / dance^[376]	Total available certified units: 66.8 million US: 34.430 million^[11] JPN: 1.250 million^[12]^[58] GER: 3.3 million^[13] UK: 12.2 million^[14] FRA: 3.1 million^[16] CAN: 3.1 million^[17] AUS: 3.882 million^[18] BRA: 435,000^[20] NLD: 160,000^[21] ITA: 775,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 660,000^[23] SWE: 350,000^[25]^[64] DEN: 226,000^[a]^[29]^[86]^[28]^[66] SWI: 540,000^[30] MEX: 1.160 million^[a]^[51] BEL: 560,000^[35] POL: 100,000^[37] IRE: 135,000^[a]^[104] NZ: 340,000^[38]^[39] POR: 104,000^[a]^[40]^[127]	75 million^[377]
Shakira	Colombia	1988-present^[378]	1995^[378]	Latin pop / pop / pop rock^[378]	Total available certified units: 62.1 million US: 28.940 million^[11] GER: 4.750 million^[13] UK: 5.7 million^[14] FRA: 3.902 million^[16] CAN: 980,000^[17] AUS: 1.640 million^[18] BRA: 1.2 million^[20] NLD: 380,000^[21] ITA: 965,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 3.460 million^[23]^[47] SWE: 730,000^[25]^[64] NOR: 165,000^[26]^[110] DEN: 270,000^[a]^[67]^[29]^[86]^[66] SWI: 855,000^[30] MEX: 5.995 million^[51] ARG: 736,000^[31] BEL: 490,000^[35] AUT: 355,000^[36] POL: 235,000^[37] FIN: 123,950^[52] POR: 254,000^[a]^[40]^[234]	75 million^[379]
Tupac Shakur	United States	1991-1996^[380]	1991^[380]	Hip-hop^[380]	Total available certified units: 59.1 million US: 51.7 million^[11] GER: 650,000^[13] UK: 5.095 million^[14] FRA: 100,000^[16] CAN: 820,000^[17] AUS: 430,000^[18]^[381] NLD: 200,000^[21] DEN: 155,000^[a]^[29]	75 million^[382]
R. Kelly	United States	1989-2019^[383]	1991^[384]	R&B / soul / hip-hop^[384]	Total available certified units: 56.6 million US: 46.9 million^[11] GER: 1.4 million^[13] UK: 6.320 million^[14] FRA: 825,000^[16] CAN: 300,000^[17] AUS: 140,000^[18] NLD: 365,000^[21] SWI: 100,000^[30] BEL: 275,000^[34]^[35]	75 million^[385]
Robbie Williams	United Kingdom	1990-present^[386]	1996^[386]	Pop rock^[386]	Total available certified units: 54.5 million US: 500,000^[11] GER: 10.275 million^[13] UK: 28.810 million^[14] FRA: 2.695 million^[16]^[59] CAN: 250,000^[17] AUS: 2.905 million^[18] NLD: 1.205 million^[21] ITA: 470,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 440,000^[a]^[23]^[63] SWE: 445,000^[25]^[64] DEN: 721,500^[a]^[66]^[67]^[29]^[86]^[76] SWI: 998,000^[30] MEX: 1.595 million^[a]^[51] ARG: 462,000^[31]^[32] BEL: 600,000^[34]^[35] AUT: 932,500^[36] POL: 140,000^[37] FIN: 235,743^[52] IRE: 135,000^[a]^[104] NZ: 445,000^[38] POR: 280,000^[a]^[40]^[234]	75 million^[387]
Nirvana	United States	1987-1994^[388]	1990^[388]	Grunge / alternative rock^[388]	Total available certified units: 53.9 million US: 30.2 million^[11] JPN: 1.3 million^[a]^[12] GER: 1.5 million^[13] UK: 8.170 million^[14] FRA: 2.6 million^[15]^[16] CAN: 2.970 million^[17] AUS: 2.097 million^[a]^[18]^[203]^[389]^[262]^[390] BRA: 725,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 250,000^[21] ITA: 425,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 450,000^[23]^[24]^[47] SWE: 380,000^[25] NOR: 125,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 325,000^[a]^[29] SWI: 190,000^[30] MEX: 475,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 522,000^[31]^[32] BEL: 425,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 230,000^[a]^[36] POL: 345,000^[a]^[37] NZ: 215,000^[38]^[39]	75 million^[391]
Kenny G	United States	1982-present^[392]	1984^[392]	Smooth jazz^[392]	Total available certified units: 52.4 million US: 48.1 million^[11] JPN: 700,000^[a]^[12] UK: 360,000^[14] CAN: 950,000^[17] AUS: 525,000^[a]^[18] BRA: 1.350 million^[a]^[20] SPA: 450,000^[24]^[47]	75 million^[393]
Enya	Ireland	1982-present^[394]	1987^[394]	New-age / Celtic^[394]	Total available certified units: 51.7 million US: 26.5 million^[11] JPN: 4.6 million^[a]^[12] GER: 4.3 million^[13] UK: 5.810 million^[14] FRA: 775,000^[15]^[16] CAN: 1.540 million^[17] AUS: 1.680 million^[a]^[18]^[19] BRA: 1.650 million^[a]^[20] NLD: 730,000^[21] SPA: 1.760 million^[23]^[47] SWE: 390,000^[25] DEN: 150,000^[a]^[27]^[395]^[396]^[397] SWI: 370,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 125,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 390,000^[31] BEL: 510,000^[a]^[35] AUT: 185,000^[a]^[36] POL: 120,000^[a]^[37] NZ: 135,000^[38]	75 million^[398]
Green Day	United States	1987-present^[399]	1994^[376]	Punk rock / pop punk / alternative rock^[399]	Total available certified units: 51.2 million US: 29.1 million^[11] JPN: 2.3 million^[12]^[58] GER: 2 million^[13] UK: 10.310 million^[14] FRA: 500,000^[16]^[15] CAN: 2.420 million^[17] AUS: 1.8 million^[18] BRA: 480,000^[20] ITA: 535,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 250,000^[23]^[24]^[47] DEN: 328,000^[a]^[29]^[86]^[67]^[87] SWI: 135,000^[30] MEX: 150,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 226,000^[31] BEL: 115,000^[35] AUT: 195,000^[a]^[36] IRE: 270,000^[a]^[104] NZ: 125,000^[38]^[39]	75 million^[400]
Bryan Adams	Canada	1979-present^[401]	1979^[401]	Rock^[401]	Total available certified units: 48.8 million US: 22 million^[11] JPN: 650,000^[a]^[12] GER: 4.450 million^[13] UK: 9.975 million^[14] FRA: 650,000^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 5.120 million^[17] AUS: 2.080 million^[a]^[18]^[402] BRA: 100,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 500,000^[21] SPA: 450,000 ^[a]^[24]^[47]^[63] SWE: 440,000^[a]^[25] NOR: 185,000^[a]^[26] DEN: 370,000^[a]^[67]^[29] SWI: 805,000^[a]^[30] BEL: 375,000^[a]^[34]^[35] AUT: 400,000^[a]^[36] POL: 110,000^[a]^[77] FIN: 183,444^[52]	75 million^[403]
Alabama	United States	1972-present^[404]	1980^[404]	Country / pop rock^[404]	Total available certified units: 48 million US: 46.8 million^[11] CAN: 1.2 million^[17]	75 million^[405]
Bob Seger	United States	1961-present^[406]	1969^[406]	Rock / pop rock / rock and Roll^[406]	Total available certified units: 47.3 million US: 44.5 million^[11] UK: 260,000^[a]^[14] CAN: 2.560 million^[a]^[17]	75 million^[407]
Bob Marley	Jamaica	1962-1981^[408]	1975^[408]	Reggae^[408]	Total available certified units: 44.4 million US: 21.850 million^[11] JPN: 200,000^[a]^[12] GER: 1.750 million^[13] UK: 11.940 million^[14] FRA: 4.735 million^[16] CAN: 600,000^[17] AUS: 350,000^[409]^[410] NLD: 420,000^[a]^[21] ITA: 385,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 450,000^[a]^[24]^[46]^[47]^[63] SWE: 120,000^[a]^[25] DEN: 160,000^[66]^[29] SWI: 303,000^[a]^[30] ARG: 376,000^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 225,000^[35] AUT: 125,000^[a]^[36] NZ: 432,500^[a]^[38]^[39]	75 million^[411]
The Police	United Kingdom	1977-1986 2007-2008^[412]	1978^[412]	Pop / rock^[412]	Total available certified units: 41.8 million US: 23.650 million^[11] JPN: 100,000^[a]^[12] GER: 1.775 million^[13] UK: 9.860 million^[14] FRA: 3.340 million^[15]^[16]^[59] CAN: 875,000^[17] AUS: 527,500^[a]^[18]^[413]^[414] BRA: 140,000^[a]^[20] NLD: 350,000^[21] ITA: 180,000^[a]^[22] SPA: 350,000^[a]^[24]^[46]^[63] SWI: 100,000^[a]^[30] MEX: 100,000^[a]^[51] ARG: 228,000^[a]^[31]^[32] BEL: 115,000^[a]^[35] NZ: 105,000^[38]	75 million^[415]
Barry Manilow	United States	1973-present^[416]	1973^[416]	Pop / soft rock^[416]	Total available certified units: 36.7 million US: 33.3 million^[11] UK: 3.225 million^[14] CAN: 400,000^[a]^[17]	75 million^[417]
Kiss	United States	1972-present^[418]	1974^[418]	Hard rock / heavy metal^[418]	Total available certified units: 28.4 million US: 26 million^[11] JPN: 100,000^[a]^[58] UK: 560,000^[14] CAN: 1.495 million^[a]^[17] AUS: 130,000^[a]^[18] NLD: 200,000^[a]^[21]	75 million^[419]
Aretha Franklin	United States	1956-2018^[420]	1961^[420]	Soul / jazz / blues / R&B^[420]	Total available certified units: 26.4 million US: 23.5 million^[11] UK: 2.440 million^[a]^[14] FRA: 275,000^[a]^[15]^[16] CAN: 150,000^[a]^[17] ITA: 110,000^[a]^[22]	75 million^[421]

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck ^cl ^cm ^cn ^co ^cp ^cq ^cr ^cs ^ct ^cu ^cv ^cw ^cx ^cy ^cz ^da ^db ^dc ^dd ^de ^df ^dg ^dh ^di ^dj ^dk ^dl ^dm ^dn ^do ^dp ^dq ^dr ^ds ^dt ^du ^dv ^dw ^dx ^dy ^dz ^ea ^eb ^ec ^ed ^ee ^ef ^eg ^eh ^ei ^ej ^ek ^el ^em ^en ^eo ^ep ^eq ^er ^es ^et ^eu ^ev ^ew ^ex ^ey ^ez ^fa ^fb ^fc ^fd ^fe ^ff ^fg ^fh ^fi ^fj ^fk ^fl ^fm ^fn ^fo ^fp ^fq ^fr ^fs ^ft ^fu ^fv ^fw ^fx ^fy ^fz ^ga ^gb ^gc ^gd ^ge ^gf ^gg ^gh ^gi ^gj ^gk ^gl ^gm ^gn ^go ^gp ^gq ^gr ^gs ^gt ^gu ^gv ^gw ^gx ^gy ^gz ^ha ^hb ^hc ^hd ^he ^hf ^hg ^hh ^hi ^hj ^hk ^hl ^hm ^hn ^ho ^hp ^hq ^hr ^hs ^ht ^hu ^hv ^hw ^hx ^hy ^hz ^ia ^ib ^ic ^id ^ie ^if ^ig ^ih ⁱⁱ ^ij ^ik ^il ^im ⁱⁿ ^io ^ip ^iq ^ir ^is ^it ^iu ^iv ^iw ^ix ^iy ^iz ^ja ^jb ^jc ^jd ^je ^jf ^jg ^jh ^ji ^jj ^jk ^jl ^jm ^jn ^jo ^jp ^jq ^jr ^js ^jt ^ju ^jv ^jw ^jx ^jy ^jz ^ka ^kb ^kc ^kd ^ke ^kf ^kg ^kh ^ki ^kj ^kk ^kl ^km ^kn ^ko ^kp ^kq ^kr ^ks ^kt ^ku ^kv ^kw ^kx ^ky ^kz ^la ^lb ^lc ^ld ^le ^lf ^lg ^lh ^li ^lj ^lk ^ll ^lm ^ln ^lo ^lp ^lq ^lr ^ls ^lt ^lu ^lv ^lw ^lx ^ly ^lz ^ma ^mb ^mc ^md ^me ^mf ^mg ^mh ^mi ^mj ^mk ^ml ^mm ^mn ^mo ^mp ^mq ^mr ^ms ^mt ^mu ^mv ^mw ^mx ^my ^mz ^na ^nb ^nc ^nd ^ne ^nf ^ng ^nh ⁿⁱ ^nj ^nk ^nl ^nm ⁿⁿ ^no ^np ^nq ^nr ^ns ^nt ^nu ^nv ^nw ^nx ^ny ^nz ^oa ^ob ^oc ^od ^oe ^of ^og ^oh ^oi ^oj ^ok ^ol ^om ^on ^oo ^op ^oq ^or ^os ^ot ^ou ^ov ^ow ^ox ^oy ^oz ^pa ^pb ^pc ^pd ^pe ^pf ^pg ^ph ^pi ^pj ^pk ^pl ^pm ^pn ^po ^pp ^pq ^pr ^ps ^pt ^pu ^pv ^pw ^px ^py ^pz ^qa ^qb ^qc ^qd ^qe ^qf ^qg ^qh ^qi ^qj ^qk ^ql ^qm ^qn ^qo ^qp ^qq ^qr ^qs ^qt ^qu ^qv ^qw ^qx ^qy ^qz ^ra ^rb ^rc ^rd ^re ^rf ^rg ^rh ^ri ^rj ^rk ^rl ^rm ^rn ^ro ^rp ^rq ^rr ^rs ^rt ^ru ^rv ^rw ^rx ^ry ^rz ^sa ^sb ^sc ^sd ^se ^sf ^sg ^sh ^si ^sj ^sk ^sl ^sm ^sn ^so ^sp ^sq ^sr ^ss ^st ^su ^sv ^sw ^sx ^sy ^sz ^ta ^tb ^tc ^td ^te ^tf ^tg ^th ^ti ^tj ^tk ^tl ^tm ^tn ^to ^tp ^tq ^tr ^ts ^tt ^tu ^tv ^tw ^tx ^ty ^tz ^ua ^ub ^uc ^ud ^ue ^uf ^ug ^uh ^ui ^uj ^uk ^ul ^um ^un ^uo ^up ^uq ^ur ^us ^ut ^uu ^uv ^uw ^ux ^uy ^uz ^va ^vb ^vc ^vd ^ve ^vf ^vg ^vh ^vi ^vj ^vk ^vl ^vm ^vn ^vo ^vp ^vq ^vr ^vs ^vt ^vu ^vv ^vw ^vx ^vy ^vz ^wa ^wb ^wc ^wd ^we ^wf ^wg ^wh ^wi ^wj ^wk ^wl ^wm ^wn ^wo ^wp ^wq ^wr ^ws ^wt ^wu ^wv ^ww ^wx ^wy ^wz ^xa ^xb ^xc ^xd ^xe ^xf ^xg ^xh ^xi ^xj ^xk ^xl ^xm ^xn ^xo ^xp ^xq ^xr ^xs ^xt ^xu ^xv ^xw ^xx ^xy ^xz ^ya ^yb ^yc ^yd ^ye ^yf ^yg ^yh ^yi ^yj ^yk ^yl ^ym ^yn ^yo ^yp ^yq ^yr ^ys ^yt ^yu ^yv ^yw ^yx ^yy ^yz ^za ^zb ^zc ^zd ^ze ^zf ^zg ^zh ^zi ^zj ^zk ^zl ^zm ^zn ^zo ^zp ^zq ^zr ^zs ^zt ^zu ^zv ^zw ^zx ^zy ^zz ^aaa ^aab ^aac ^aad ^aae ^aaf ^aag ^aah ^aai ^aaj ^aak ^aal ^aam ^aan ^aao ^aap ^aaq ^aar ^aas ^aat ^aau ^aav ^aaw ^aax ^aay ^aaz ^aba ^abb ^abc ^abd ^abe ^abf ^abg ^abh ^abi ^abj ^abk ^abl ^abm ^abn ^abo ^abp ^abq ^abr ^abs ^abt ^abu ^abv ^abw ^abx ^aby ^abz ^aca ^acb ^acc ^acd ^ace ^acf ^acg ^ach ^aci ^acj ^ack ^acl ^acm ^acn ^aco ^acp ^acq ^acr ^acs ^act ^acu ^acv ^acw ^acx ^acy ^acz ^ada ^adb ^adc ^add ^ade ^adf ^adg ^adh ^adi ^adj ^adk ^adl ^adm ^adn
Certification systems have been established periodically throughout the past half century; thus, certification databases are not able to cover all sales. Some (or all) records released and sold prior to a certification system's establishment year may not be found within the available searchable certification databases. Year of establishment (from largest market to smallest based on Retail Value each market generates respectively):^[8]^[9]
- United States: 1958^[422]
- Japan: 1989^[423]
- Germany: 1975^[13]
- United Kingdom: 1973^[424]
- France: 1973^[425]
- Canada: 1975^[426]
- Australia: 1997^[18] (online certification-database has begun since 1997. Certifications; however, existed in Australia since the 1970s)
- Brazil: 1990^[427]
- Netherlands: 1978^[21]
- Italy: 2009^[22] (online certification-database covers certifications issued since 2009. Certifications; however, have existed in Italy since the 1980s)^[65]
- Spain: 1979^[46]
- Sweden: 1987^[25]
- Norway: 1993^[26]
- Denmark: 2001^[66] (online certifications for Denmark start from 2001. Certifications; however, existed in Denmark since the early 1990s^[428])
- Switzerland: 1989^[429]
- Mexico: 1999^[430]
- Argentina: 1980^[431]
- Belgium: 1995^[432]
- Austria: 1990^[36]
- Poland: 1995^[37]
- Finland: 1971^[433]
- Ireland: 2005^[104]
- New Zealand: July 1978^[38]
- Portugal:^[40](online certification-database covers certifications issued since 2004. Certifications; however, have existed in Portugal since the 1980s)^[65]
Certified sales might sometimes be larger than actual sales, if stores order more albums than they are able to sell, due to certifications generally being determined by shipments and not actual sales. Often, however, actual sales are larger than certified sales, since record labels must pay a fee to obtain certifications. Record companies often apply for certifications only when a record reaches a multiple certification-levels, meaning certifications might not be visible in the databases for more than a short period of time after an album reached a certification level.^[434]^[435] As global music sales declined in the 2000s mostly due to CD burning and downloading from unauthorized sites, certification bodies opted to reduce their certification levels.^[436] See the changes in Certification-award-levels in the following markets:
- United States^[437] (Note, U.S. certification-award-levels for singles before 1989 were: 1,000,000 for Gold and 2,000,000 for Platinum.^[438] Also, U.S. certification-awards for Shortform albums before September 1996 were: 250,000 for Gold and 500,000 for Platinum^[439])
- Japan^[440]^[441]
- Germany^[442] (Note, German certification-award-levels for singles before 1988 were: 500,000 for Gold and 1,000,000 for Platinum.^[443]^[444]^[445]^[77]^[65])
- United Kingdom^[446]
- France^[447]^[425]^[448]^[449]
- Canada^[450] (Canadian certification-award-levels for singles before February 1982 were: 75,000 for Gold and 150,000 for Platinum^[451])
- Brazil^[452]^[453]^[454]
- Netherlands^[455]
- Italy^[22]^[456]^[457]
- Spain^[458]^[459]
- Sweden^[460]
- Norway^[461]^[462]^[463]^[464]^[465]
- Denmark^[428]^[466]^[467]^[468]
- Switzerland^[429]
- Mexico^[469]^[470]
- Argentina^[431]
- Belgium^[471]^[472]
- Austria:^[471]^[473]^[474]
- Poland^[475]^[476]
- Finland^[433]
- New Zealand: (NZ certification-levels for singles before 1989 were: 10,000 for Gold, 20,000 for Platinum)^[477](NZ certification-levels for singles before June 2007 were: 5,000 for Gold, 10,000 for Platinum)^[478] (The levels for singles were adjusted again on June 17, 2016 from previous 7,500 for Gold, 15,000 for Platinum, to 15,000 for Gold, 30,000 for Platinum)^[479]
- Portugal:^[480]
^
To be on this list, artists who began charting:
- before 1973 are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 30% in certified units.
- between 1973-1990 are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 30-70% in certified units. (That is 2.35% for each additional year after 1973)
- between 1990-2000 are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 70-77% in certified units. (That is 0.7% for each additional year after 1990)
- between 2000-present are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 77-80% in certified units. (That is 0.14% for each additional year after 2000)
^
Below you can get an understanding as to when certifications for songs are added to the total certified sales of the listed artists.
- One lead artist and one featured artist. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both, the lead artist and the featured artist as both will have almost equal amount of part).
- Two lead artists.(The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both lead artists as both will have almost equal amount of part).
- Two lead artists and one featured artist. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both lead artists as well as the featured artist. Both lead artists will play a significant part in a song and the part of the featured artist also should be significant enough).
- One lead artist and two featured artists. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of the lead artist and to the total of both featured artists as almost all should have equal amount of part).
^ Note that Celine Dion's initial chart year should be veiwed as 1990 as she has begun charting in Quebec, Canada in 1981, but remained unknown to the world until 1990. Therefore, she's required to have her claimed figures supported by 67.78% certified sales (note that Canada's market share data, 2.22% is deducted from 1990's 70% requirement).

References

^ NEWSLINE: A Former Music Executive. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. February 14, 2004. Retrieved 2010.
^ Troubles in Store. Spin Magazine. Spin Media L.L.C. February 14, 2004. Retrieved 2010.
^ "RIAA Debuts Album Award With Streams". RIAA. February 1, 2016. Retrieved 2017.
^ "Music streaming numbers now count toward Canada's Gold/Platinum certifications". National Music Centre. September 19, 2016. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved 2017.
^ "France Now Counts Streaming Towards Certified Sales Awards". musicbusinessworldwide.com. October 5, 2016. Retrieved 2017.
^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum: We Found Love". RIAA. February 1, 2016. Retrieved 2017.
^ Trust, Gary (June 23, 2015). "Ask Billboard: Rihanna's Best-Selling Songs & Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2017.
^ ^a ^b "RIAJ Yearbook 2017: IFPI Global Music Report 2017 (Page 4)". Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Internationales: ABB. 28// Umsätze aus dem europäischen Musikverkauf (Page 54)" (PDF). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Unterberger, Richie. "Allmusic: The Beatles (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck ^cl ^cm ^cn ^co ^cp ^cq ^cr ^cs ^ct ^cu ^cv ^cw ^cx ^cy ^cz ^da ^db ^dc ^dd ^de ^df ^dg ^dh ^di "RIAA: Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu "RIAJ: Gold Disc Certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck ^cl ^cm ^cn ^co ^cp ^cq ^cr ^cs "BVMI: Gold-/Platin-Datenbank". Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2019.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck ^cl ^cm ^cn ^co ^cp ^cq ^cr ^cs ^ct ^cu ^cv ^cw ^cx ^cy ^cz ^da ^db ^dc ^dd ^de ^df "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2018.
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^ ^a ^b ^c "RIAJ: Digital Certifications (January 2014)" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2015.
^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums - Week Commencing 27th February 2012 Issue No.1148 (for single "I Will Always Love You" and albums "The Bodyguard Soundtrack", "Whitney Houston")" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. February 27, 2012. Retrieved 2013.
^ "It's not right but it's okay: New 'Whitney Houston tour' announced". Sky News. May 21, 2019. Retrieved 2021.
^ "Whitney Houston's grave marked with famous lyrics". BBC News. July 24, 2013. Retrieved 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c Proefrock, Stacia. "Allmusic: Celine Dion (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013.
^ 1995? [1995 million-seller list] (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved 2015.
^ ^a ^b "RIAJ: Digital Certifications (July 2010)" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved 2015.
^ "Hitlisten.nu: Album Top-40 (Uge 47-2003)". Tracklisten. Hitlisten.nu. Retrieved 2014.
^<

[cert-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck ^cl ^cm ^cn ^co ^cp ^cq ^cr ^cs ^ct ^cu ^cv ^cw ^cx ^cy ^cz ^da ^db ^dc ^dd ^de ^df ^dg ^dh ^di ^dj ^dk ^dl ^dm ^dn ^do ^dp ^dq ^dr ^ds ^dt ^du ^dv ^dw ^dx ^dy ^dz ^ea ^eb ^ec ^ed ^ee ^ef ^eg ^eh ^ei ^ej ^ek ^el ^em ^en ^eo ^ep ^eq ^er ^es ^et ^eu ^ev ^ew ^ex ^ey ^ez ^fa ^fb ^fc ^fd ^fe ^ff ^fg ^fh ^fi ^fj ^fk ^fl ^fm ^fn ^fo ^fp ^fq ^fr ^fs ^ft ^fu ^fv ^fw ^fx ^fy ^fz ^ga ^gb ^gc ^gd ^ge ^gf ^gg ^gh ^gi ^gj ^gk ^gl ^gm ^gn ^go ^gp ^gq ^gr ^gs ^gt ^gu ^gv ^gw ^gx ^gy ^gz ^ha ^hb ^hc ^hd ^he ^hf ^hg ^hh ^hi ^hj ^hk ^hl ^hm ^hn ^ho ^hp ^hq ^hr ^hs ^ht ^hu ^hv ^hw ^hx ^hy ^hz ^ia ^ib ^ic ^id ^ie ^if ^ig ^ih ⁱⁱ ^ij ^ik ^il ^im ⁱⁿ ^io ^ip ^iq ^ir ^is ^it ^iu ^iv ^iw ^ix ^iy ^iz ^ja ^jb ^jc ^jd ^je ^jf ^jg ^jh ^ji ^jj ^jk ^jl ^jm ^jn ^jo ^jp ^jq ^jr ^js ^jt ^ju ^jv ^jw ^jx ^jy ^jz ^ka ^kb ^kc ^kd ^ke ^kf ^kg ^kh ^ki ^kj ^kk ^kl ^km ^kn ^ko ^kp ^kq ^kr ^ks ^kt ^ku ^kv ^kw ^kx ^ky ^kz ^la ^lb ^lc ^ld ^le ^lf ^lg ^lh ^li ^lj ^lk ^ll ^lm ^ln ^lo ^lp ^lq ^lr ^ls ^lt ^lu ^lv ^lw ^lx ^ly ^lz ^ma ^mb ^mc ^md ^me ^mf ^mg ^mh ^mi ^mj ^mk ^ml ^mm ^mn ^mo ^mp ^mq ^mr ^ms ^mt ^mu ^mv ^mw ^mx ^my ^mz ^na ^nb ^nc ^nd ^ne ^nf ^ng ^nh ⁿⁱ ^nj ^nk ^nl ^nm ⁿⁿ ^no ^np ^nq ^nr ^ns ^nt ^nu ^nv ^nw ^nx ^ny ^nz ^oa ^ob ^oc ^od ^oe ^of ^og ^oh ^oi ^oj ^ok ^ol ^om ^on ^oo ^op ^oq ^or ^os ^ot ^ou ^ov ^ow ^ox ^oy ^oz ^pa ^pb ^pc ^pd ^pe ^pf ^pg ^ph ^pi ^pj ^pk ^pl ^pm ^pn ^po ^pp ^pq ^pr ^ps ^pt ^pu ^pv ^pw ^px ^py ^pz ^qa ^qb ^qc ^qd ^qe ^qf ^qg ^qh ^qi ^qj ^qk ^ql ^qm ^qn ^qo ^qp ^qq ^qr ^qs ^qt ^qu ^qv ^qw ^qx ^qy ^qz ^ra ^rb ^rc ^rd ^re ^rf ^rg ^rh ^ri ^rj ^rk ^rl ^rm ^rn ^ro ^rp ^rq ^rr ^rs ^rt ^ru ^rv ^rw ^rx ^ry ^rz ^sa ^sb ^sc ^sd ^se ^sf ^sg ^sh ^si ^sj ^sk ^sl ^sm ^sn ^so ^sp ^sq ^sr ^ss ^st ^su ^sv ^sw ^sx ^sy ^sz ^ta ^tb ^tc ^td ^te ^tf ^tg ^th ^ti ^tj ^tk ^tl ^tm ^tn ^to ^tp ^tq ^tr ^ts ^tt ^tu ^tv ^tw ^tx ^ty ^tz ^ua ^ub ^uc ^ud ^ue ^uf ^ug ^uh ^ui ^uj ^uk ^ul ^um ^un ^uo ^up ^uq ^ur ^us ^ut ^uu ^uv ^uw ^ux ^uy ^uz ^va ^vb ^vc ^vd ^ve ^vf ^vg ^vh ^vi ^vj ^vk ^vl ^vm ^vn ^vo ^vp ^vq ^vr ^vs ^vt ^vu ^vv ^vw ^vx ^vy ^vz ^wa ^wb ^wc ^wd ^we ^wf ^wg ^wh ^wi ^wj ^wk ^wl ^wm ^wn ^wo ^wp ^wq ^wr ^ws ^wt ^wu ^wv ^ww ^wx ^wy ^wz ^xa ^xb ^xc ^xd ^xe ^xf ^xg ^xh ^xi ^xj ^xk ^xl ^xm ^xn ^xo ^xp ^xq ^xr ^xs ^xt ^xu ^xv ^xw ^xx ^xy ^xz ^ya ^yb ^yc ^yd ^ye ^yf ^yg ^yh ^yi ^yj ^yk ^yl ^ym ^yn ^yo ^yp ^yq ^yr ^ys ^yt ^yu ^yv ^yw ^yx ^yy ^yz ^za ^zb ^zc ^zd ^ze ^zf ^zg ^zh ^zi ^zj ^zk ^zl ^zm ^zn ^zo ^zp ^zq ^zr ^zs ^zt ^zu ^zv ^zw ^zx ^zy ^zz ^aaa ^aab ^aac ^aad ^aae ^aaf ^aag ^aah ^aai ^aaj ^aak ^aal ^aam ^aan ^aao ^aap ^aaq ^aar ^aas ^aat ^aau ^aav ^aaw ^aax ^aay ^aaz ^aba ^abb ^abc ^abd ^abe ^abf ^abg ^abh ^abi ^abj ^abk ^abl ^abm ^abn ^abo ^abp ^abq ^abr ^abs ^abt ^abu ^abv ^abw ^abx ^aby ^abz ^aca ^acb ^acc ^acd ^ace ^acf ^acg ^ach ^aci ^acj ^ack ^acl ^acm ^acn ^aco ^acp ^acq ^acr ^acs ^act ^acu ^acv ^acw ^acx ^acy ^acz ^ada ^adb ^adc ^add ^ade ^adf ^adg ^adh ^adi ^adj ^adk ^adl ^adm ^adn Certification systems have been established periodically throughout the past half century; thus, certification databases are not able to cover all sales. Some (or all) records released and sold prior to a certification system's establishment year may not be found within the available searchable certification databases. Year of establishment (from largest market to smallest based on Retail Value each market generates respectively):^[8]^[9]
United States: 1958^[422]

Japan: 1989^[423]

Germany: 1975^[13]

United Kingdom: 1973^[424]

France: 1973^[425]

Canada: 1975^[426]

Australia: 1997^[18] (online certification-database has begun since 1997. Certifications; however, existed in Australia since the 1970s)

Brazil: 1990^[427]

Netherlands: 1978^[21]

Italy: 2009^[22] (online certification-database covers certifications issued since 2009. Certifications; however, have existed in Italy since the 1980s)^[65]

Spain: 1979^[46]

Sweden: 1987^[25]

Norway: 1993^[26]

Denmark: 2001^[66] (online certifications for Denmark start from 2001. Certifications; however, existed in Denmark since the early 1990s^[428])

Switzerland: 1989^[429]

Mexico: 1999^[430]

Argentina: 1980^[431]

Belgium: 1995^[432]

Austria: 1990^[36]

Poland: 1995^[37]

Finland: 1971^[433]

Ireland: 2005^[104]

New Zealand: July 1978^[38]

Portugal:^[40](online certification-database covers certifications issued since 2004. Certifications; however, have existed in Portugal since the 1980s)^[65]
Certified sales might sometimes be larger than actual sales, if stores order more albums than they are able to sell, due to certifications generally being determined by shipments and not actual sales. Often, however, actual sales are larger than certified sales, since record labels must pay a fee to obtain certifications. Record companies often apply for certifications only when a record reaches a multiple certification-levels, meaning certifications might not be visible in the databases for more than a short period of time after an album reached a certification level.^[434]^[435] As global music sales declined in the 2000s mostly due to CD burning and downloading from unauthorized sites, certification bodies opted to reduce their certification levels.^[436] See the changes in Certification-award-levels in the following markets:
United States^[437] (Note, U.S. certification-award-levels for singles before 1989 were: 1,000,000 for Gold and 2,000,000 for Platinum.^[438] Also, U.S. certification-awards for Shortform albums before September 1996 were: 250,000 for Gold and 500,000 for Platinum^[439])

Japan^[440]^[441]

Germany^[442] (Note, German certification-award-levels for singles before 1988 were: 500,000 for Gold and 1,000,000 for Platinum.^[443]^[444]^[445]^[77]^[65])

United Kingdom^[446]

France^[447]^[425]^[448]^[449]

Canada^[450] (Canadian certification-award-levels for singles before February 1982 were: 75,000 for Gold and 150,000 for Platinum^[451])

Brazil^[452]^[453]^[454]

Netherlands^[455]

Italy^[22]^[456]^[457]

Spain^[458]^[459]

Sweden^[460]

Norway^[461]^[462]^[463]^[464]^[465]

Denmark^[428]^[466]^[467]^[468]

Switzerland^[429]

Mexico^[469]^[470]

Argentina^[431]

Belgium^[471]^[472]

Austria:^[471]^[473]^[474]

Poland^[475]^[476]

Finland^[433]

New Zealand: (NZ certification-levels for singles before 1989 were: 10,000 for Gold, 20,000 for Platinum)^[477](NZ certification-levels for singles before June 2007 were: 5,000 for Gold, 10,000 for Platinum)^[478] (The levels for singles were adjusted again on June 17, 2016 from previous 7,500 for Gold, 15,000 for Platinum, to 15,000 for Gold, 30,000 for Platinum)^[479]

Portugal:^[480]

[2] United States: 1958^[422]

[3] Japan: 1989^[423]

[4] Germany: 1975^[13]

[5] United Kingdom: 1973^[424]

[6] France: 1973^[425]

[7] Canada: 1975^[426]

[8] Australia: 1997^[18] (online certification-database has begun since 1997. Certifications; however, existed in Australia since the 1970s)

[9] Brazil: 1990^[427]

[10] Netherlands: 1978^[21]

[11] Italy: 2009^[22] (online certification-database covers certifications issued since 2009. Certifications; however, have existed in Italy since the 1980s)^[65]

[12] Spain: 1979^[46]

[13] Sweden: 1987^[25]

[14] Norway: 1993^[26]

[15] Denmark: 2001^[66] (online certifications for Denmark start from 2001. Certifications; however, existed in Denmark since the early 1990s^[428])

[16] Switzerland: 1989^[429]

[17] Mexico: 1999^[430]

[18] Argentina: 1980^[431]

[19] Belgium: 1995^[432]

[20] Austria: 1990^[36]

[21] Poland: 1995^[37]

[22] Finland: 1971^[433]

[23] Ireland: 2005^[104]

[24] New Zealand: July 1978^[38]

[25] Portugal:^[40](online certification-database covers certifications issued since 2004. Certifications; however, have existed in Portugal since the 1980s)^[65]

[26] United States^[437] (Note, U.S. certification-award-levels for singles before 1989 were: 1,000,000 for Gold and 2,000,000 for Platinum.^[438] Also, U.S. certification-awards for Shortform albums before September 1996 were: 250,000 for Gold and 500,000 for Platinum^[439])

[27] Japan^[440]^[441]

[28] Germany^[442] (Note, German certification-award-levels for singles before 1988 were: 500,000 for Gold and 1,000,000 for Platinum.^[443]^[444]^[445]^[77]^[65])

[29] United Kingdom^[446]

[30] France^[447]^[425]^[448]^[449]

[31] Canada^[450] (Canadian certification-award-levels for singles before February 1982 were: 75,000 for Gold and 150,000 for Platinum^[451])

[32] Brazil^[452]^[453]^[454]

[33] Netherlands^[455]

[34] Italy^[22]^[456]^[457]

[35] Spain^[458]^[459]

[36] Sweden^[460]

[37] Norway^[461]^[462]^[463]^[464]^[465]

[38] Denmark^[428]^[466]^[467]^[468]

[39] Switzerland^[429]

[40] Mexico^[469]^[470]

[41] Argentina^[431]

[42] Belgium^[471]^[472]

[43] Austria:^[471]^[473]^[474]

[44] Poland^[475]^[476]

[45] Finland^[433]

[46] New Zealand: (NZ certification-levels for singles before 1989 were: 10,000 for Gold, 20,000 for Platinum)^[477](NZ certification-levels for singles before June 2007 were: 5,000 for Gold, 10,000 for Platinum)^[478] (The levels for singles were adjusted again on June 17, 2016 from previous 7,500 for Gold, 15,000 for Platinum, to 15,000 for Gold, 30,000 for Platinum)^[479]

[47] Portugal:^[480]

[year-2] To be on this list, artists who began charting:
before 1973 are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 30% in certified units.

between 1973-1990 are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 30-70% in certified units. (That is 2.35% for each additional year after 1973)

between 1990-2000 are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 70-77% in certified units. (That is 0.7% for each additional year after 1990)

between 2000-present are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 77-80% in certified units. (That is 0.14% for each additional year after 2000)

[49] re 1973 are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 30% in certified units.

[50] tween 1973-1990 are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 30-70% in certified units. (That is 2.35% for each additional year after 1973)

[51] tween 1990-2000 are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 70-77% in certified units. (That is 0.7% for each additional year after 1990)

[52] tween 2000-present are required to have their available claimed figures supported by 77-80% in certified units. (That is 0.14% for each additional year after 2000)

[songs-10] Below you can get an understanding as to when certifications for songs are added to the total certified sales of the listed artists.
One lead artist and one featured artist. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both, the lead artist and the featured artist as both will have almost equal amount of part).

Two lead artists.(The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both lead artists as both will have almost equal amount of part).

Two lead artists and one featured artist. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both lead artists as well as the featured artist. Both lead artists will play a significant part in a song and the part of the featured artist also should be significant enough).

One lead artist and two featured artists. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of the lead artist and to the total of both featured artists as almost all should have equal amount of part).

[54] One lead artist and one featured artist. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both, the lead artist and the featured artist as both will have almost equal amount of part).

[55] Two lead artists.(The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both lead artists as both will have almost equal amount of part).

[56] Two lead artists and one featured artist. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of both lead artists as well as the featured artist. Both lead artists will play a significant part in a song and the part of the featured artist also should be significant enough).

[57] One lead artist and two featured artists. (The issued certification(s) should be added to the total of the lead artist and to the total of both featured artists as almost all should have equal amount of part).

[Celine_Dion_Internation_Chart_Year-141] Note that Celine Dion's initial chart year should be veiwed as 1990 as she has begun charting in Quebec, Canada in 1981, but remained unknown to the world until 1990. Therefore, she's required to have her claimed figures supported by 67.78% certified sales (note that Canada's market share data, 2.22% is deducted from 1990's 70% requirement).

[3] NEWSLINE: A Former Music Executive. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. February 14, 2004. Retrieved 2010.

[4] Troubles in Store. Spin Magazine. Spin Media L.L.C. February 14, 2004. Retrieved 2010.

[5] "RIAA Debuts Album Award With Streams". RIAA. February 1, 2016. Retrieved 2017.

[6] "Music streaming numbers now count toward Canada's Gold/Platinum certifications". National Music Centre. September 19, 2016. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved 2017.

[7] "France Now Counts Streaming Towards Certified Sales Awards". musicbusinessworldwide.com. October 5, 2016. Retrieved 2017.

[8] "RIAA Gold and Platinum: We Found Love". RIAA. February 1, 2016. Retrieved 2017.

[9] Trust, Gary (June 23, 2015). "Ask Billboard: Rihanna's Best-Selling Songs & Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 2017.

[RIAJ_Yearbook_2017-11] "RIAJ Yearbook 2017: IFPI Global Music Report 2017 (Page 4)". Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2018.

[Bundesverband_Musikindustrie:_Internationales-12] "Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Internationales: ABB. 28// Umsätze aus dem europäischen Musikverkauf (Page 54)" (PDF). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2021.

[Allmusic:_The_Beatles_(Biography)-13] Unterberger, Richie. "Allmusic: The Beatles (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013.

[RIAA_Certifications-14] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck ^cl ^cm ^cn ^co ^cp ^cq ^cr ^cs ^ct ^cu ^cv ^cw ^cx ^cy ^cz ^da ^db ^dc ^dd ^de ^df ^dg ^dh ^di "RIAA: Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2011.

[RIAJ_certifications-15] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu "RIAJ: Gold Disc Certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2015.

[BVMI_Certifications-16] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck ^cl ^cm ^cn ^co ^cp ^cq ^cr ^cs "BVMI: Gold-/Platin-Datenbank". Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 2019.

[BPI_certifications-17] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck ^cl ^cm ^cn ^co ^cp ^cq ^cr ^cs ^ct ^cu ^cv ^cw ^cx ^cy ^cz ^da ^db ^dc ^dd ^de ^df "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2018.

[InfoDisc_Les_Certifications_depuis_1973_(albums)-18] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi "InfoDisc: Les Certifications depuis 1973" [InfoDisc: Certifications from 1973]. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). InfoDisc.fr. Retrieved 2016.

[SNEP_Certifications-19] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck "SNEP: Les Certifications". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 2019.

[Music_Canada_Certifications-20] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck ^cl ^cm ^cn ^co ^cp ^cq ^cr ^cs ^ct ^cu ^cv ^cw ^cx ^cy ^cz ^da ^db ^dc ^dd ^de ^df ^dg ^dh ^di "Music Canada: Gold & Platinum searchable database". Music Canada. Retrieved 2014.

[Australian_Certifications-21] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv ^bw ^bx ^by ^bz ^ca ^cb ^cc ^cd ^ce ^cf ^cg ^ch ^ci ^cj ^ck ^cl ^cm ^cn ^co ^cp ^cq ^cr ^cs ^ct ^cu ^cv "ARIA Charts - Accreditations". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 2009.

[Australia's_pre_1997_certifications-22] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa "Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Moonlight Publishing. Retrieved 2016.

[PMB_Certifications-23] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl "PMB: Certificados" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 2018.

[NVPI:_Goud/Platina-24] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br ^bs ^bt ^bu ^bv "NVPI: Goud/Platina". NVPI. Retrieved 2018.

[FIMI_Certifications-25] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo "F.I.M.I: Federazione Industria Musicale Itaiana" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. Retrieved 2018.

[Spanish_Certifications-26] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb "PROMUSICAE Charts: Home > Weekly charts" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 2013.

[Spanish_certifications_1991-1995-27] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año : 1991-1995. Iberautor Promociones Culturales. pp. 928-939. ISBN 978-84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 2013.

[Swedish_Certifications-28] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x ^y ^z ^aa ^ab ^ac ^ad ^ae ^af ^ag ^ah ^ai ^aj ^ak ^al ^am ^an ^ao ^ap ^aq ^ar ^as ^at ^au ^av ^aw ^ax ^ay ^az ^ba ^bb ^bc ^bd ^be ^bf ^bg ^bh ^bi ^bj ^bk ^bl ^bm ^bn ^bo ^bp ^bq ^br "Guld & Platina IFPI" [Gold & Platinum IFPI] (in Swedish). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry - Sweden. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved 2013.

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