
The sales definitely reflect part of the impact an artist had. While all of the albums on this list are in the multi-platinum and even diamond range, a few reflect some of the pivotal moments within hip-hop. In fact, sometimes they're something significant. Which are the top rappers in your opinion? Share with us in the comments below.Records sales aren't everything, but they are something. In the age of streaming and increased accessibility, anyone can release a record and find success. New rappers are uploading their tracks and getting recognition every day.
#Notorious big albums sold download#
This is thanks to album sales as well as dedicated fans who download free music. Whether it’s the sad circumstance of Tupac’s death, the historic East Coast VS West Coast hip-hop war, or his mad skills as a rapper, Tupac’s music stays alive and relevant. Tragically gunned down in Las Vegas in a drive-by shooting, Tupac was forever linked with Notorious BIG due to their fatal feud. Tupac Shakur’s been selling albums from beyond the grave that’s a lighthearted explanation for the amount of posthumous work released by the legendary LA rapper.īy 2011, Tupac sold 75 million records worldwide. This sum surpasses icons like Elvis, and yes–even Eminem! The Second of the Top Rappers No Longer Alive: Tupac Shakur He cashed in more than 218 million dollars in sales from his solo and collaborative efforts. It’s been established that Drake is the top solo male artist of all time in the United States. This makes sense since the current hip-hop market is Drake’s personal empire. It seems like every time you blink, the Canadian rapper/actor, Drake, has a new hit on the charts. They include hit tracks such as “Encore,” a collaboration with Linkin’ Park, and countless hits with his famous wife, Beyonce. Jay also has many collaborations with legendary contemporaries under his belt. Each of his albums debuted high on the charts upon their release. As of that release, he’s sold 36 million albums worldwide.Īside from his impressive track record of releases, each of Jay Z’s albums was met with massive commercial success. He’s still going strong, having released his fourteenth album in 2017. Jay Z is a veteran in the rap game these days. Altogether, he sold 100 million albums around the world. All of Eminem’s albums ranked at the coveted number one spot in music sales. Since Eminem enjoys a spot in the top five most successful musicians in US history, it’s evident that he’s the top rapper of all time.Įminem, (real name Marshall Mathers) transcended racial barriers and other controversial issues to release nine solo albums with great commercial success. Between the two albums released during Biggie’s lifetime and several posthumous projects, Notorious BIG sold more than 5 million units. However, considering his short career which ended with his death from a mysterious drive-by shooting in 1997, it’s admirable that he’s still relevant today. Notorious BIGĮven though Notorious BIG (AKA Biggie Smalls) died tragically more than 20 years ago, his albums still sell today.īiggie is not the top-selling rapper of all time. So let’s take a look at the top rappers of all time in terms of sales. In fact, hip-hop dominated the streaming charts in 2018. Not even the notoriously rough transition from sales to streaming put a dent in the rap industry. It’s official: Hip-hop is one of the most popular genres in the 21st century so far.
