Which recording artists have had the most successful albums since 2000? To make that determination, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on album sales from the Recording Industry Association of America. Albums released in 2000 or later were ranked based on certified U.S. unit sales as of March 2023. Supplemental data on Billboard 200 performance is current through March 4, 2023. (Compilation and greatest hits albums were not considered.)
Based on lifetime album sales since 2000, the ladies dominate the charts. No. 50 on this list is Beyoncé’s “I Am…Sasha Fierce,” which sold 6 million units. No. 1 is Adele’s “21” at 14 million units. In all, 20 of the albums here are by solo female performers, and several others are by bands featuring female lead singers.
Adele’s “21” drew from a painful breakup, which inspired the hits “Rolling in the Deep” and “Set Fire to the Rain.” Released in 2011, the album stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for an astounding 24 weeks, the longest reign of any female solo artist in the chart’s history.
The album’s tenure at the top ranks it as the “Greatest Billboard 200 Album of All Time,” and the RIAA certified the album Diamond, a rating given to albums selling more than 10 million units. (A critical as well as a commercial success, it won the 2012 Grammy for Album of the Year.) The singer’s follow-up album, Adele’s “25,” released in 2015, did almost as well, selling 11 million units and earning the No. 5 position on this list.
Those two albums combined may have sold 25 million units, but another female artist shows even better here overall: The four Taylor Swift albums on this list have sold a combined 29 million units. The most successful of these albums was 2008’s “Fearless,” at 10 million units. The album contains the hit, “Love Story,” which sold 8.1 million copies worldwide. (These are Taylor Swift’s Most Popular Albums.)
Click here to see the best-selling albums since 2000
Men show pretty well here too, though. Six of the top ten best-sellers are by men or all-male groups. The highest example, at 12 million units sold, is rapper Eminem’s 2002 “The Eminem Show,” ranked No. 2. His 2010 album, “Recovery” also had a strong showing, with sales of 8 million units. He remains one of the rappers with the most hits.
To determine the best selling albums of the 21st century, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on album sales from the RIAA. Albums released in 2000 or later were ranked based on certified U.S. unit sales as of March 2023. Supplemental data on Billboard 200 performance is current through March 4, 2023. Compilation and greatest hits albums were not considered.
50. Beyoncé, “I Am…Sasha Fierce”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 193 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 18, 2008
[in-text-ad]
49. Rihanna, “Good Girl Gone Bad”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 101 weeks
> Release date: June 5, 2007
24/7 Wall St.
48. Green Day, “American Idiot”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 143 weeks
> Release date: Sept. 21, 2004
47. Kelly Clarkson, “Breakaway”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 104 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 30, 2004
[in-text-ad-2]
46. Michael Bublé, “Christmas”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 100 weeks
> Release date: Oct. 14, 2011
45. Taylor Swift, “Speak Now”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 157 weeks
> Release date: Oct. 25, 2010
[in-text-ad]
44. Daughtry, “Daughtry”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 176 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 21, 2006
43. Bruno Mars, “Unorthodox Jukebox”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 212 weeks
> Release date: Dec. 11, 2012
42. Lady Gaga, “The Fame”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 288 weeks
> Release date: Oct. 28, 2008
[in-text-ad-2]
41. The Weeknd, “Beauty Behind the Madness”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 290 weeks
> Release date: Aug. 28, 2015
40. Drake, “Views”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 13 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 338 weeks
> Release date: May 6, 2016
[in-text-ad]
39. Chris Stapleton, “Traveller”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 373 weeks
> Release date: May 5, 2015
24/7 Wall St.
38. Drake, “Take Care”
> Certified U.S. sales: 6 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 505 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 15, 2011
37. Eagles, “Long Road Out of Eden”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 75 weeks
> Release date: Oct. 30, 2007
[in-text-ad-2]
36. Nelly, “Nellyville”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 72 weeks
> Release date: June 25, 2002
35. Alicia Keys, “Songs in A Minor”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 70 weeks
> Release date: June 26, 2001
[in-text-ad]
34. Mariah Carey, “The Emancipation of Mimi”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 74 weeks
> Release date: April 12, 2005
24/7 Wall St.
33. 3 Doors Down, “The Better Life”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 7 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 93 weeks
> Release date: Feb. 8, 2000
32. Avril Lavigne, “Let Go”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 97 weeks
> Release date: June 4, 2002
[in-text-ad-2]
31. Enya, “A Day Without Rain”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 103 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 21, 2000
30. Linkin Park, “Meteora”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 119 weeks
> Release date: March 25, 2003
[in-text-ad]
29. Taylor Swift, “Red”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 185 weeks
> Release date: Oct. 22, 2012
24/7 Wall St.
28. Taylor Swift, “Taylor Swift”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 275 weeks
> Release date: Oct. 24, 2006
27. Imagine Dragons, “Night Visions”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 413 weeks
> Release date: Sept. 4, 2012
[in-text-ad-2]
26. Bruno Mars, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans”
> Certified U.S. sales: 7 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 597 weeks
> Release date: Oct. 5, 2010
25. Backstreet Boys, “Black & Blue”
> Certified U.S. sales: 8 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 42 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 21, 2000
[in-text-ad]
24. Lil Wayne, “Tha Carter III”
> Certified U.S. sales: 8 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 197 weeks
> Release date: June 10, 2008
23. Various Artists, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
> Certified U.S. sales: 8 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 112 weeks
> Release date: Dec. 5, 2000
22. Various Artists, “Frozen”
> Certified U.S. sales: 8 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 13 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 174 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 25, 2013
[in-text-ad-2]
21. Eminem, “Recovery”
> Certified U.S. sales: 8 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 322 weeks
> Release date: June 18, 2010
20. 50 Cent, “Get Rich Or Die Tryin'”
> Certified U.S. sales: 9 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 151 weeks
> Release date: Feb. 6, 2003
[in-text-ad]
19. Carrie Underwood, “Some Hearts”
> Certified U.S. sales: 9 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 157 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 15, 2005
18. Katy Perry, “Teenage Dream”
> Certified U.S. sales: 9 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 302 weeks
> Release date: Aug. 24, 2010
17. Taylor Swift, “1989”
> Certified U.S. sales: 9 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 412 weeks
> Release date: Oct. 27, 2014
[in-text-ad-2]
16. Original Broadway Cast, “Hamilton: An American Musical”
> Certified U.S. sales: 9 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 371 weeks
> Release date: Sept. 25, 2015
15. Britney Spears, “Oops!…I Did It Again”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 84 weeks
> Release date: May 16, 2000
[in-text-ad]
14. Usher, “Confessions”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 148 weeks
> Release date: March 23, 2004
13. Nelly, “Country Grammar”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 104 weeks
> Release date: June 27, 2000
12. Evanescence, “Fallen”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 3 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 114 weeks
> Release date: March 4, 2003
[in-text-ad-2]
11. Taylor Swift, “Fearless”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 261 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 11, 2008
10. Nickelback, “All the Right Reasons”
> Certified U.S. sales: 10 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 206 weeks
> Release date: Oct. 4, 2005
[in-text-ad]
9. OutKast, “Speakerbo/The Love Below”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 56 weeks
> Release date: Sept. 23, 2003
8. ‘N Sync, “No Strings Attached”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 82 weeks
> Release date: March 21, 2000
7. Shania Twain, “Up!”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 93 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 19, 2002
[in-text-ad-2]
6. Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 173 weeks
> Release date: May 23, 2000
5. Adele, “25”
> Certified U.S. sales: 11 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 10 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 213 weeks
> Release date: Nov. 20, 2015
[in-text-ad]
4. Norah Jones, “Come Away With Me”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 165 weeks
> Release date: Feb. 26, 2002
3. Linkin Park, “[Hybrid Theory]”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 280 weeks
> Release date: Oct. 24, 2000
2. Eminem, “The Eminem Show”
> Certified U.S. sales: 12 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 429 weeks
> Release date: May 26, 2002
[in-text-ad-2]
![Adele [21] by AlexKormisPS (ALM)](https://a673b.bigscoots-temp.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/imageForEntry50-6ON.jpg "Adele [21] by AlexKormisPS (ALM)")
1. Adele, “21”
> Certified U.S. sales: 14 million units
> Peak position on Billboard 200: No. 1 (for 24 weeks)
> Total time on Billboard 200: 543 weeks
> Release date: Feb. 22, 2011
Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
