Celebrating Black Music Month: Meet the Best-Selling Black Artists Ever

This is quite historical and can be traced to President Jimmy Carter who was an American politician and humanitarian. He served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981 and was a member of the Democratic Party.

He created this Black Music Month to celebrate African American musical influences that comprise an integral part of America’s treasured cultural heritage and this month was formerly referred to as National Black Music Month.

The African Americans created, inspired and fostered several genres that are being celebrated and enjoyed today. From Sacred Music ( gospel, spirituals), to Folk Music, Military Music, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Roll, HipHop and Rap.They also developed and influenced country music, disco, house music amongst other genres. Their impact is extremely significant and enormous.

In the spirit of this celebration, let’s take a quick look at the highest selling black artists of all time and how many units they sold according to Chart Masters . These are music figures that have succeeded in cementing their names in history, both dead and alive. Artists whose legacies will outlive them for many decades to come.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson is regarded as the greatest entertainer who ever lived, born in August 1958 in Gary Indiana, he was a singer, songwriter, dancer and philanthropist. He released 10 studio albums during his lifetime as a solo artist and sold around 600 million records. Undisputed King of Pop. He tragically passed away in 2009

Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey was dubbed the “Songbird Supreme” due to her impressive five octave vocal range and signature use of the whistle register. She was born in March 1969 in New York City and sold over 320 million records.

Beyonce

Beyonce Giselle Knowles Carter is easily recognized as one of the greatest entertainers to ever do it. Born in September 1981 in Houston Texas, she is widely known for her vocal dexterity, artistic reinventions and impressive live performances. She has sold over 200 million records

Rihanna

Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian singer, songwriter, businesswoman and actress. One of the most influential figures in pop culture till this day despite not actively doing music anymore. She has sold over 250 million records

Whitney Houston

Whitney was commonly referred to as “the Voice” and she is easily one of the most awarded singers of all time with a solid musical career and legacy. She is a cultural icon of great repute born in New Jersey in August 1963. She is ranked second on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest singers of all time in 2023 and sold over 220 million records. She tragically passed away in 2012

Drake

Aubrey Drake Graham is one of the highest selling black artists with over 170 million records sold. He has released numerous studio albums and has achieved 13 Number One albums on the Billboard 200.

Kanye West

“Ye” as he is popularly known sold over 160 million records, a milestone that cements his name as one of the best selling music artists in history. Born in June 1977 in Atlanta Georgia, He has been listed among the greatest rappers of all time and referred to as one of the most prominent figures in hip-hop