Rap music has given rise to some of the most influential artists of all time, but who holds the crown as the best-selling rapper of all time?
Combining unparalleled talent with global appeal, this artist has shattered records, revolutionized the genre, and amassed an astonishing number of album sales. Let’s take a closer look at the record-breaking achievements of this legendary figure.
Who Is The Best Selling Rapper Of All Time?
The title of best-selling rapper of all time goes to Eminem, who has sold an impressive 61.5 million albums in the U.S. alone. Known as the “Rap God,” Eminem has captivated audiences with his iconic albums, such as The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show.
His remarkable achievements include winning multiple Grammy Awards and holding the Guinness World Record for being the biggest-selling rap artist in the U.S. Eminem’s best-selling albums are:
| Album | Sales (in millions) |
|---|---|
| The Eminem Show | 10.2 |
| The Marshall Mathers LP | 10.1 |
| Encore | 7.6 |
| Recovery | 7.4 |
| The Slim Shady LP | 5.3 |
Eminem continues to inspire millions, solidifying his legacy as a rap icon.
Best-Selling Rappers by Album Sales
Here’s a quick look at the best-selling rappers of all time, ranked by their impressive album sales. These artists have left an incredible mark on the music industry with their record-breaking achievements.
| Rank | Artist | Albums Sold (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eminem | 61.5 |
| 2 | Tupac | 36.5 |
| 3 | Jay-Z | 33.5 |
| 4 | Drake | 33.5 |
| 5 | Kanye West | 27.5 |
| 6 | Lil Wayne | 25 |
| 7 | Beastie Boys | 23 |
| 8 | Outkast | 23 |
Top 15 Best-Selling Rappers Of All Time (Detailed)
Rap music has produced numerous influential artists who have achieved remarkable commercial success. Below is a table highlighting the top 15 best-selling rappers of all time based on their U.S. album sales:
| Rank | Artist | Albums Sold (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eminem | 61.5 |
| 2 | Tupac | 36.5 |
| 3 | Jay-Z | 33.5 |
| 4 | Drake | 33.5 |
| 5 | Kanye West | 27.5 |
| 6 | Lil Wayne | 25 |
| 7 | Beastie Boys | 23 |
| 8 | Outkast | 23 |
| 9 | Snoop Dogg | 23 |
| 10 | Nas | 21 |
| 11 | Run-D.M.C. | 20 |
| 12 | Ice Cube | 20 |
| 13 | The Notorious B.I.G. | 19.5 |
| 14 | 50 Cent | 18 |
| 15 | LL Cool J | 16 |
These artists have not only achieved significant commercial success but have also left a huge impact on the music industry with their influential contributions.
1. Eminem — 65.1 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Marshall Bruce Mathers III |
| Age | 52 |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 12 Studio Albums |
| Number of Awards | 149 awards, including 15 Grammy Awards |
| Official Website | Here |
Eminem, born on October 17, 1972, is a pioneering figure in rap. With 12 studio albums, including iconic releases like The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show, he has sold over 65 million albums.
Known for his complex lyrics and controversial persona, Eminem has earned 15 Grammy Awards and more than 150 recognitions. His music, blending dark humor and deep emotion, continues to influence hip hop globally, securing his place as one of the best-selling and most influential artists in the history of rap.
2. Tupac Shakur — 36.5 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Tupac Amaru Shakur |
| Age | 25 (Deceased) |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 11 Studio Albums |
| Number of Awards | 7 Awards (15 Nominations) |
| Official Website | Here |
Tupac Shakur, an icon of West Coast hip hop, remains one of the best-selling rappers of all time, with 36.5 million albums sold. His profound impact on rap culture can be seen in his groundbreaking albums like All Eyez on Me and Me Against the World.
Despite his untimely death at age 25, his legacy endures through his work that addresses social issues, violence, and racism. He is celebrated not only for his music but also for his activism and poetry.
3. Jay-Z — 33.5 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Shawn Corey Carter |
| Age | 55 |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 13 Studio Albums |
| Number of Awards | 24 Grammy Awards |
| Official Website | Here |
Jay-Z, a mogul in both the music industry and business, has sold 33.5 million albums worldwide. As a rapper and entrepreneur, Jay-Z’s albums like The Blueprint and Reasonable Doubt have become staples in hip hop.
His ability to evolve with time has allowed him to remain relevant in the ever-changing landscape of rap. Jay-Z’s awards, including 23 Grammys, are a testament to his enduring influence and exceptional talent.
4. Drake — 33.5 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Aubrey Drake Graham |
| Age | 38 |
| Country | Canada |
| Total Number of Albums | 8 Studio Albums |
| Number of Awards | Over 196 Awards (including five Grammy Awards) |
| Official Website | Here |
Drake, known for his versatile style blending rap with R&B, has sold 33.5 million albums globally. With groundbreaking albums like Take Care and Nothing Was the Same, Drake has redefined modern rap.
Hailing from Canada, he continues to influence both the music and fashion industries. With 5 Grammy Awards and numerous chart-topping hits, Drake’s success story has made him one of the most celebrated figures in contemporary rap.
5. Kanye West — 27.5 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Kanye Omari West |
| Age | 47 |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 10 Studio Albums |
| Number of Awards | 24 Grammy Awards |
| Official Website | Here |
Kanye West, a cultural force in the world of hip-hop and beyond, has sold 27.5 million albums worldwide. His groundbreaking albums like The College Dropout and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy have earned him recognition as one of rap’s most influential artists.
Known for his artistic vision and boundary-pushing production, Kanye has earned 24 Grammy Awards and continues to shape the musical landscape with both his music and personal ventures.
6. Lil Wayne — 25 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. |
| Age | 42 |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 13 Studio Albums |
| Number of Awards | Over 140, including 5 Grammy Awards |
| Official Website | Here |
Lil Wayne, an artist who helped redefine Southern rap, has sold 25 million albums globally. Known for his prolific career and influential mixtapes, Wayne has earned numerous accolades, including 5 Grammy Awards.
Albums like Tha Carter III solidified his place in the hip-hop hall of fame. His distinctive voice and complex rhyme schemes continue to influence a new generation of rappers.
7. Beastie Boys — 23 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Michael Louis Diamond, Adam Nathaniel Yauch, Adam Keefe Horovitz |
| Age | Varies (Yauch passed in 2012; the others are 59 and 58) |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 8 Studio Albums |
| Number of Awards | 2 Grammy Awards |
| Official Website | beastieboys.com |
The Beastie Boys are a legendary hip-hop trio that broke barriers by blending rock and rap. With eight studio albums, including Licensed to Ill and Paul’s Boutique, they’ve sold over 23 million albums worldwide.
Their unique style and innovative approach to music made them pioneers of alternative rap. The group earned numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards and MTV Video Music Awards, further cementing their place in music history.
8. OutKast — 23 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | André Benjamin (André 3000), Antwan Patton (Big Boi) |
| Age | 49 (André 3000), 49 (Big Boi) |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 6 Studio Albums |
| Number of Awards | 6 Grammy Awards |
| Official Website | outkast.com |
OutKast, the duo composed of André 3000 and Big Boi, revolutionized hip-hop with their unique sound that blends funk, soul, and rap. With six studio albums, including Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, they sold over 23 million copies worldwide.
Their experimental approach, combined with chart-topping hits like “Hey Ya!” and “Ms. Jackson,” earned them 6 Grammy Awards and a lasting legacy in hip hop and pop culture.
9. Snoop Dogg — 23 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. |
| Age | 53 |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 20 studio albums |
| Number of Awards | 12 awards |
| Official Website | Here |
Snoop Dogg is one of the most iconic figures in hip-hop. With 23 million albums sold, he has made a significant impact in music, culture, and entertainment. His career took off in the early ’90s with his debut album Doggystyle, which revolutionized West Coast rap.
Snoop has been involved in numerous collaborations, spanning genres beyond rap, and has earned more than 20 awards throughout his career. Known for his laid-back demeanor and smooth rapping style, Snoop remains a beloved figure in hip-hop and pop culture.
10. Nas — 20 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones |
| Age | 51 |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 17 Studio Albums |
| Number of Awards | 16+ |
| Official Website | Here |
Nas, one of the most respected lyricists in hip-hop, has sold 20 million albums worldwide. Known for his intricate rhymes and storytelling, Nas made his mark with Illmatic, which remains a classic.
Over the years, he has delivered albums like It Was Written and Stillmatic, earning him widespread recognition and numerous accolades. A pioneer in addressing social issues and personal experiences through his music, Nas has solidified his place as a living legend in hip-hop culture.
11. Run-D.M.C. — 10 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels |
| Age | Both 60 |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 7 studio albums |
| Number of Awards | Multiple, including 1 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Official Website | Here |
Run-D.M.C. is one of the pioneering forces in hip-hop, with 10 million albums sold worldwide. The legendary trio of Run, D.M.C., and Jam Master Jay broke new ground in the 1980s with their fusion of hip-hop and rock, creating timeless classics like Raising Hell.
They became the first hip-hop group to achieve platinum status and have influenced countless artists across genres. Their legacy continues to resonate, making them an essential part of hip-hop history.
12. Ice Cube — 22 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | O’Shea Jackson |
| Age | 55 |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 11 studio albums |
| Number of Awards | 9 |
| Official Website | Here |
Ice Cube, a pivotal figure in the evolution of West Coast rap, has sold 22 million albums worldwide. As a founding member of N.W.A., Cube’s bold political statements and raw storytelling helped define gangster rap.
He later embarked on a successful solo career with albums like AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and Death Certificate. His influence extends beyond music, as he’s also an accomplished actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur.
13. The Notorious B.I.G. — 17 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Christopher George Latore Wallace |
| Age | 24 (Deceased) |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 2 studio albums |
| Number of Awards | 4 awards |
| Official Website | N/A |
The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, remains an enduring icon in hip-hop despite his life being tragically cut short. With 17 million albums sold worldwide, his impact on rap is immeasurable.
His debut, Ready to Die, and sophomore album, Life After Death, solidified his status as one of the greatest lyricists of all time. Biggie’s smooth delivery and storytelling prowess continue to inspire new generations of rappers, and his legacy as a key figure in East Coast hip-hop lives on.
14. 50 Cent — 20 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | Curtis James Jackson III |
| Age | 49 |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 5 studio albums |
| Number of Awards | 86 awards |
| Official Website | Here |
50 Cent, born Curtis Jackson, rose to fame with his 2003 album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which propelled him to superstardom. With 20 million albums sold worldwide, 50 Cent became a dominant figure in the 2000s with hits like In Da Club and Candy Shop.
In addition to his music career, 50 Cent has successfully branched out into acting, producing, and entrepreneurship, particularly with his involvement in the Power television series.
15. LL Cool J — 15 Million Albums Sold
| Full Name | James Todd Smith |
| Age | 57 |
| Country | United States |
| Total Number of Albums | 14 studio albums |
| Number of Awards | 2 Grammys |
| Official Website | Here |
LL Cool J is one of the first rappers to achieve mainstream success, having sold 15 million albums worldwide. Known for his smooth style and versatility, LL Cool J made a huge impact with his albums like Radio and Bigger and Deffer.
As a pioneer in hip-hop’s transition into the pop culture spotlight, he helped bridge the gap between rap and other music genres. With a long-running career in both music and acting, LL Cool J is celebrated as one of hip-hop’s founding fathers.
Conclusion – The Rap Legends Who Defined The Genre And Dominated Album Sales
The world of hip-hop has seen a range of talented artists rise to fame, each leaving a significant mark on the music industry. With Eminem taking the top spot for best-selling rappers of all time, the genre continues to evolve, shaping the culture and influencing future generations.
From pioneers like Run-D.M.C. to the current kings of rap like Drake, the industry has witnessed impressive feats, with each artist contributing to the expansion of rap music worldwide. As the genre grows, it’s clear that the journey of these best-selling artists is far from over.
FAQs
The big 3 in rap are generally considered to be Jay-Z, Eminem, and Drake due to their influence, success, and longevity in the industry.
Eminem holds the title of the top-selling rapper of all time, with over 61 million albums sold globally.
The Beatles are the highest-grossing musicians of all time, with estimated earnings surpassing $1 billion.
No, Drake has not outsold Eminem, although he has achieved significant commercial success and is one of the highest-selling artists.
The title of “king of rap” is often debated, but Eminem and Jay-Z are frequently regarded as contenders for this title due to their influence and success in the genre.
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