Best Selling Artists Chart - About Music

This section is the best selling artists of all-time, where you can see which artists dominate the music industry. The chart contains different metrics, like physical sales, digital sales and even streaming. So you can see which artists from the streaming era are competing with huge artists like Michael Jackson or Madonna.

The 'Best Selling Artists of All-Time' chart is a living testament to the ebb and flow of music consumption trends. It's not just a historical record but an ongoing narrative, adapting to the changing rhythms of the industry. As streaming takes center stage in the contemporary music scene, this chart remains your go-to guide, offering a panoramic view of how artists, old and new, shape the musical landscape.

Right in the 1960’s, we could see a huge rise in music consumption, with more and more people buying their favorite music physically: LP’s, cassettes and CDs, which dominates the market. Artists like The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Madonna were impacting the charts, and selling in impressive amounts, which were unheard of, even today.

During this period, iconic artists left an indelible mark on the charts and etched their names into the annals of music history. The Beatles, with their infectious melodies and cultural impact, took the world by storm. Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, began his ascent, setting the stage for a legendary career. Elvis Presley continued to reign as the rock 'n' roll icon, and Madonna burst onto the scene, leaving an unmistakable imprint on pop music.

The charts of the 1960s weren't just numbers; they were a reflection of a cultural shift. The artists of this era didn't just sell records; they shaped the soundscape of their time, influencing fashion, attitudes, and societal norms. Although the physical market has declined a lot, it has seen some positive signs in recent years, with vinyls becoming popular.

During the 2000’s, the market shifted into digital sales with the rise of technology. Artists that truly dominated the digital era were, Adele, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Eminem, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber and Rihanna, which is considered the best selling digital artist of all-time. Her digital sales crown makes her the undisputed champ of the era, proving she ruled the digital waves. Many people used and are still following digital sales sites, like iTunes, which was highly popular back then, and is still talked about till this day.

In this digital revolution, iTunes stole the spotlight. Back then, it wasn't just a platform; it was a game-changer, altering how artists dropped and hyped their tracks. Even now, we can't help but reminisce about the iTunes era – a nostalgic nod to when digital sales became our everyday jam.

The 2000s were a genre mashup. Hip-hop and R&B took over, pop-punk exploded, and electronic beats went mainstream. It wasn't just about buying music; it was about a global fusion of sounds. Beyond sales, the 2000s were a vibe, where artists used digital platforms to connect personally with fans. As we dig into the 'Best Selling Artists of All-Time' chart, the 2000s shine as a pivotal moment, marking the music world's journey into the digital groove.

The digital era was quite short, only lasting for two decades, until streaming took over in the mid-2010’s, when streaming services like Youtube, Spotify and Apple Music completely started to hold the market share. Youtube has shown a lot of impact on the music industry, with multiple videos reaching 1B views, and there are even videos with over 6 BILLION views, like Shape Of You and Despacito. With the growth of Spotify and Apple Music, Youtube has shown signs of slowing down, with fewer current big hits reaching big amounts of views.

Spotify on the other hand, is only growing from year to year, and there are artists breaking new records with each release, for example: Taylor Swift who reached new heights this decade, and Drake and Bad Bunny who dominate the charts as well. Streams have been very beneficial for sales, because 100 million streams equals almost 670K song sales alone, and with Spotify growing each year, there’s no wonder that artists nowadays will only get bigger and bigger.

Fast forward to the 2020s, and the streaming revolution continues its triumphant march. Spotify and Apple Music have become household names, reshaping how we discover and enjoy music. Playlists have become the new mixtapes, curated by algorithms or the discerning taste of influencers. The notion of owning music has shifted to accessing it on-demand, with a world of tunes at our fingertips. The music scene is more democratized than ever; emerging artists find audiences without the traditional gatekeepers, and listeners explore a global buffet of sounds.

The 'Best Selling Artists of All-Time' chart reflects this seismic shift, showcasing not just who's selling records but who's capturing hearts in the streaming age. You can also see how streaming has benefited multiple artists who are strong on streaming, such as Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and they are now competing against other giants.

The top artists these days are Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Ariana Grande, Madonna, Michael Jackson and The Beatles. As we grow and add more discographies, we will be able to see the full picture, and see more artists dominating.