_(cropped).jpg)
.jpg)
- 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.[1][2]
| 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[3] | 1962[3] | Rock / pop[3] |
Total available certified units: 285.4 million
|
600 million[34][35] 500 million[36] |
| Elvis Presley | United States | 1954–1977[37] | 1954[37] | Rock and roll / pop / country[37] |
Total available certified units: 229.1 million
|
500 million[46][47] 360 million (Estimated sales as of 1997)[48][49] |
| Michael Jackson | United States | 1964–2009[50] | 1971[50] | Pop / rock / dance / soul / R&B[50] |
Total available certified units: 243.9 million
|
400 million[63][64] 350 million[65][66] |
| Elton John | United Kingdom | 1964–present[67] | 1969[67] | Pop / rock[67] |
Total available certified units: 196.9 million
|
300 million[71][72] 250 million[73][74] |
| Madonna | United States | 1979–present[75] | 1983[75] | Pop / dance / electronica[75] |
Total available certified units: 180.1 million
|
300 million[83][84] 275 million[85] |
| Led Zeppelin | United Kingdom | 1968–1980[86] | 1969[86] | Hard rock / blues rock / folk rock[86] |
Total available certified units: 141.1 million
|
300 million[90][91] 200 million[92][93] |
| Rihanna | Barbados United States |
2005–present[94] | 2005[94] | R&B / pop / dance / hip-hop[94] |
Total available certified units: 303.2 million
|
250 million[98][99] |
| Pink Floyd | United Kingdom | 1965–1996, 2005, 2012–2014[100][101] | 1967[100] | Progressive rock / psychedelic rock[100] |
Total available certified units: 121.7 million
|
250 million[105][106] 200 million[107] |
- The column for certified sales includes markets, the databases of which contain certifications representing figures of 100,000 and more.
- ^ "RIAJ Yearbook 2017: IFPI Global Music Report 2017 (Page 4)". Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
- ^ "Bundesverband Musikindustrie: Internationales: ABB. 28// Umsätze aus dem europäischen Musikverkauf (Page 54)" (PDF). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c Unterberger, Richie. "Allmusic: The Beatles (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "RIAA: Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 23, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g "RIAJ: Gold Disc Certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Cite error: The named reference
BVMI Certificationswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f g h "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g "InfoDisc: Les Certifications depuis 1973" [InfoDisc: Certifications from 1973]. Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). InfoDisc.fr. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "SNEP: Les Certifications". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (in French). SNEP. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Music Canada: Gold & Platinum searchable database". Music Canada. Retrieved July 1, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Cite error: The named reference
Australian Certificationswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c "Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Moonlight Publishing. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "PMB: Certificados" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved October 27, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "NVPI: Goud/Platina". NVPI. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Cite error: The named reference
FIMI Certificationswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f g "PROMUSICAE Charts: Home > Weekly charts" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año : 1991-1995. Iberautor Promociones Culturales. pp. 928–939. ISBN 978-84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference
Swedish Certificationswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f "Trofeer" (in Portuguese). IFPI Norway. Archived from the original on July 25, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "Hitlisten.nu: Album Top-40 (Uge 01-2001)". Tracklisten. Hitlisten.nu. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- ^ a b "Certificeringer marts – maj 2010". IFPI Denmark. May 31, 2010. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f "IFPI Denmark: Certificeringer". IFPI Denmark. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Hitparade.ch: Edelmetall". Schweizer Hitparade. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 22, 2017. Note that the certifications for DVDs need to be retrieved by selecting the years at"http://hitparade.ch/awards.asp"
- ^ a b c d e f g "CAPIF: Discos de Oro y Platino (albums)". CAPIF. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "CAPIF: Discos de Oro y Platino (albums and DVDs)". CAPIF. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ a b "Awardees". CAPIF. Archived from the original on June 26, 2002. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Awards 1997–2003". Belgian Entertainment Association. Ultratop. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ultratop: Goud En Platina". Ultratop. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference
Austrian Certificationswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference
Polish Certificationswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f g Cite error: The named reference
New Zealand's Certificationswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e f g "Radioscope: Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". Radioscope. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Artistas & Espectaculos". Artistas & Espectaculos. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ Siggins, Gerard (February 7, 2016). "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! Rare footage of The Beatles's Dublin performance". Irish Independent. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- ^ Hotten, Russell (October 4, 2012). "The Beatles at 50: From Fab Four to fabulously wealthy". BBC News. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ^ Wyman, Bill (January 4, 2013). "Did 'Thriller' Really Sell a Hundred Million Copies". The New Yorker. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- ^ a b c Unterberger, Richie. "Allmusic: Elvis Presley (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ "1997 ARIA Album Chart". ARIA. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año : 1979-1990. Iberautor Promociones Culturales. pp. 913–929. ISBN 978-84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año : 1996-1999. Iberautor Promociones Culturales. pp. 940–952. ISBN 978-84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Hitlisten.nu: Album Top-40 (Uge 15-2001)". Tracklisten. Hitlisten.nu. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ a b "Hitlisten.nu: Album Top-40 (Uge 02-2003)". Tracklisten. Hitlisten.nu. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- ^ "Hitlisten.nu: Album Top-40 (Uge 42-2003)". Tracklisten. Hitlisten.nu. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Amprofon Certificaciones" (in Spanish). AMPROFON. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Kulta- ja platinalevyt: Artistit". Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ "40 years ago America was shocked by the death of Elvis Presley". News24. August 13, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
- ^ "40 years ago America shocked by death of Elvis". Geo News. August 13, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ "From the archive, 17 August 1977: Elvis Presley dies and the age of Rock is over". The Guardian. August 17, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ "Long lives the King". The Irish Times. August 9, 1997. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c Huey, Steve. "Allmusic: Michael Jackson (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ a b c "RIAJ: Digital Certifications" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ^ a b c d "InfoDisc Les Certifications depuis 1973 (singles)". InfoDisc. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ "ARIA Report 6th July 2009 (Issue 1010)" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
- ^ "ARIA Report 13th July 2009 (Issue 1011)" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
- ^ "ARIA: ARIA Catalogue Albums Chart (19/01/2015)". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Salaverri, Fernando (2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año : 2000-2002. Iberautor Promociones Culturales. pp. 952–966. ISBN 978-84-8048-639-2. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Sverige Toplistan: Sök". Sverige Toplistan (in Swedish). Retrieved November 18, 2013.Note: To retrieve the certifications, type in artist's name in the box of "Sök", and then click on "Visa" of the desired album/single/video
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Music & Media (26-12-1987)(page-43)" (PDF). Music & Media. December 26, 1987. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Hitlisten.nu". Tracklisten. Hitlisten.nu. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Guld og platin i august". IFPI Denmark. May 9, 2004. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ "AFP: Discos Ouro e Platina 2009". AFP. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ "AFP: Discos Ouro e Platina 2010". AFP. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ "Happy 55th Birthday Michael Jackson - His Top 10 Moments". ABC News. August 28, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Oshiro, Traci (August 29, 2013). "Remembering Michael Jackson". NBC News. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ "Disney and Michael Jackson estate settle documentary dispute". France 24. December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- ^ "US network ABC accused of exploitation over Michael Jackson show". The Straits Times. May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen. "Allmusic: Elton John (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ "1990 ARIA Album Chart". ARIA. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
- ^ a b "Forårets guld- og platincertificeringer". IFPI Denmark. June 13, 2007. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Music & Media (27-12-1986)(page-33)" (PDF). Music & Media. December 27, 1986. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ "Elton John adds 2 Winnipeg dates to farewell concert tour". CBC.ca. September 26, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^ Savage, Mark (January 24, 2018). "Elton John to make statement on future". BBC News. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- ^ "UK's Royal Mint celebrates singer Elton John with new commemorative coin". Reuters. July 6, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ "Elton John comes to Beaumont's Ford Park on March 12; tickets on sale Jan. 24". Houston Chronicle. January 16, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2017.
- ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen. "Allmusic: Madonna (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ "BVMI: Madonna (MDNA)". BVMI. Archived from the original on 2012-04-02. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Catalogue Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ "Australia's Music Charts 1988-210 (Madonna)" (PDF). Moonlight Publishing. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
- ^ a b "Guld og platin november/december/januar". IFPI Denmark. February 19, 2007. Archived from the original on July 14, 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ "Guld og platin i marts". IFPI Denmark. April 13, 2006. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ "Guld & platin januar 2010". IFPI Denmark. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
- ^ "CAPIF: Madonna certifications". CAPIF. Archived from the original on February 14, 2008. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ^ Guibourg, Clara (August 15, 2018). "Madonna at 60: The Queen of Pop in seven charts". BBC News. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
- ^ Marshall, Candice (July 28, 2015). "Madonna announces first tour to Australia in over two decades, first ever concert in New Zealand". ABC News of Australia. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ "Madonna: healthy pop star admits to 'weakness' for sticky toffee pudding". The Daily Telegraph. September 9, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
- ^ a b c Erlewine, Stephen. "Allmusic: Led Zeppelin (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ "Certifications Albums – Année 2013" (PDF). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- ^ "ARIA: ARIA Albums Chart (10/11/2014)". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
- ^ "The ARIA Report: ARIA Top 100 Albums – Week Commencing 10th August 2015" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 20, 2015.
- ^ Meike, Meike (September 7, 2018). "50 years ago: How it all began for Led Zeppelin". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ Cornwell, Jane (September 27, 2014). "Jimmy Page reflects on Led Zeppelin". The Age. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
- ^ Kot, Greg (June 23, 2016). "Jury finds Led Zeppelin didn't steal 'Stairway to Heaven' riff". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
- ^ Barbrick, Greg (December 14, 2012). "Music DVD/CD Review: Led Zeppelin – Celebration Day". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
- ^ a b c Birchmeier, Jason. "Allmusic: Rihanna (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
- ^ "Guld og platin i marts (31/03/2008)". IFPI Denmark. March 31, 2008. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ "Guld og platin i september". IFPI Denmark. October 6, 2008. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Irish certification-databasewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Rihanna appointed as ambassador by Barbados". BBC News. September 22, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ^ O'Connor, Roisin (September 22, 2018). "Rihanna 'proud' to accept new Barbados ambassador role". The Independent. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ^ a b c Unterberger, Richie. "Allmusic: Pink Floyd (Biography)". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
- ^ Michaels, Sean (July 7, 2014). "Pink Floyd to release a new album in 2014, entitled The Endless River". The Guardian. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
- ^ "RIAJ: The Record: January 1995 (Page 6)" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved November 8, 2015.
- ^ "IFPI Norge: Troféoversikt" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved December 27, 2020.
- ^ "AMPROFON: Certificaciones 2019 (Facebook)". AMPROFON. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
- ^ "Pink Floyd's Waters Angry At Music Streaming". Sky News. May 28, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
- ^ Martin, Annie (September 22, 2014). "Pink Floyd detail new album 'The Endless River'". United Press International. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ "Pink Floyd drummer fears for young musicians trying to break through". The Times. September 8, 2016. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or ((efn)) templates on this page, but the references will not show without a ((reflist|group=lower-alpha)) template or ((notelist)) template (see the help page).