As part of our continued coverage for Black History Month, American Songwriter wants to take a moment to highlight a list of the world’s best-selling albums of all time by Black artists.
Some of these names may be familiar, some of the albums might be in your musical Rolodex, but some may be unfamiliar—heck, some may become your new favorites!
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But let’s dive in and check out who made the albums, how many they sold, and above all else, who is on the list?
1. Michael Jackson
Thriller (No. 1 all time of any artist): over 70 million sold.
2. Whitney Houston and Various Artists
The Bodyguard Soundtrack (No. 3 all time): over 45 million sold
Buy The Bodyguard now on Amazon
3. Michael Jackson
Bad (No. 12 all time): over 35 million sold
4. Michael Jackson
Dangerous (No. 14 all time): over 32 million sold
5. Mariah Carey
Music Box (No. 34 all time): over 28 million sold
6. Bob Marley & The Wailers
Legend: The Best of Bob Marley & The Wailers (No. 40 all time): 25 million sold
7. Prince and The Revolution
Purple Rain (No. 47 all time): 25 million sold
8. Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston (No. 55 all time): 22 million sold
Buy Whitney Houston now on Amazon
9. The Fugees
The Score (No. 56 all time): 22 million sold
10. Michael Jackson
HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1 (No. 58 all time): 22 million sold
11. Michael Jackson
Off The Wall (No. 62 all time): 20 million sold
Buy Off The Wall now on Amazon
12. Lauryn Hill
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (No. 63 all time): 20 million sold
Buy The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill now on Amazon
13. Lionel Richie
Can’t Slow Down (No. 70 all time): 20 million sold
Buy Can’t Slow Down now on Amazon
14. Mariah Carey
Daydream (No. 71 all time): 20 million sold
15. Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman (No 75 all time): 20 million sold
Buy Tracy Chapman now on Amazon
16. Whitney Houston
Whitney (No. 77 all time) 20 million sold
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UNSPECIFIED – JANUARY 01: Photo of Jessi COLTER; posed, (Photo by Charlie Gillett Collection/Redferns) -
Photo by Gus Stewart/Redferns -
(Original Caption) 2/17/56-Hollywood, California: Singing actress Doris Day models one of the American-girl-look outifts she's designing for Little Miss English Ltd. The full skirt and matching sleeveless camisole blouse are of silk-finish cotton satin in a leaf print on soft blue. The companion sweater, a feature of all Miss Day's designs, picks up one of the leaf colors and is trimmed with French cuffs and Peter Pan collar of the print material. The three pieces may be bought separately. -
19th May 1967: The Beatles (left to right) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison (1943 – 2001) and John Lennon (1940 – 1980) at a photocall for the launch of their new album 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', held at Brian Epstein's house at 24 Chapel Street, London. Lennon is wearing an afghan jacket and a sporran. (Photo by John Downing/Getty Images) -
Dolores O'Riordan of The Cranberries performs onstage in San Francisco, California, USA in December 1993. (Photo by Anthony Pidgeon/Redferns) -
Toto, f.l.t.r: Mike Porcaro, Steve Lukather, David Paich, Jeff Porcaro & Steve Porcaro, Amsterdam, 27-9-1982, Foto Rob Verhorst
