Eminem’s illustrious career has entered its third decade, marked by a continuous stream of accolades. ChartMasters reports that Slim Shady has now firmly secured his place among the top 10 highest-selling artists of all time, with a staggering 207,262,000 total sales throughout his career. This milestone propels him above even the legendary Led Zeppelin, landing him at the prestigious No. 10 spot.
This ranking, meticulously compiled by ChartMasters, encompasses album sales, singles sales, and streaming data, meticulously updated on a daily basis. Eminem stands out as the sole rapper within the top 40, with Drake trailing as his nearest contender, holding the No. 41 spot with just over 120 million sales. Notably, Kanye West (No. 61; 98 million sales) and 2Pac (No. 73; 84 million sales) represent the only other Hip Hop acts within the top 100.
While Eminem’s achievement is significant, he still faces a formidable path ahead to surpass the incomparable Beatles, who maintain a substantial lead with over 423 million sales. The rankings further reveal music legends Michael Jackson (No. 2; 338 million sales), Elvis Presley (No. 3; 321 million sales), Queen (No. 4; 279 million sales), and Madonna (No. 5; 248 million sales) rounding out the top five.
In addition to his impressive sales figures, Eminem has solidified his position as the most certified artist in RIAA history. Last year alone, he amassed a staggering 227.5 million gold and platinum certifications, comprising 166 million single certifications and 61.5 million album certifications.
Notably, Eminem boasts the highest number of diamond certifications in Hip Hop, totaling an impressive six: The Marshall Mathers LP (2000), The Eminem Show (2002), “Lose Yourself” (2002), Curtain Call: The Hits (2005), “Not Afraid” (2010), and “Love the Way You Lie” (2010).
Even at 50 years old, Eminem still commands a unique distinction, holding the record for the two largest first-week sales figures in rap history, thanks to The Marshall Mathers LP (1.78 million) and The Eminem Show (1.32 million). His influence on the music industry remains undeniable and enduring.