The late 1970’s and into the 1980’s saw the rise of a new popular genre of music: rap. Since then rap and hip-hop music quickly grew and is one of the most popular genres of music today. Drawing from traditional African music, spoken word, jazz, and the blues, rap music has a wide range of influences. Today there are only 7 rap albums whose sales have exceeded over 10 million units. We are going to dive into the 5 highest selling rap albums of all time.
5. The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death- 10.2 Million Albums Sold
First up on our list is The Notorious B.I.G.’s legendary album Life After Death. Released in 1997 on March 25, 16 days after the rapper was shot and killed. This posthumous album was extremely well received and remains a highly-influential album to present day rappers. The album was released on Bad Boy Records and has sold around 10.2 million units in the United States to date.
4. Eminem – The Eminem Show – 10.5 Million Albums Sold
Next up on our list is Eminem’s fourth album, The Eminem Show. Eminem came to prominence as one of the first caucasian rappers in a genre of music that is dominated by African Americans. His fourth album was released in 2002 and was the best selling album in the United States that year. The album was released under Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records and has sold around 10.5 million units in the United States.
3. MC Hammer – Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em – 10.8 Million Albums Sold
Released under Capitol Records, the third album by MC Hammer, Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em, is the third album on our list. The album held down the number 1 spot on the Billboard 2o0 list for 21 weeks, and features MC Hammer’s most popular and most recognizable song: “U Can’t Touch This”. To date, the album has sold around 10.8 million units in the U.S. alone and was the first rap album to receive a diamond certification from the RIAA.
2. Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP – 11 Million Albums Sold
Appearing for the second time on our list, Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP, is often regarded as Eminem’s best work and one of the best rap albums of all time. The Marshall Mathers LP was released in 2000, and is the third studio album put out by Eminem. The album nearly sold 2 million units in the first week making it the highest selling album of any American solo artist, and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album that year.
1. OutKast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – 11 Million Albums Sold
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is a very interesting album that has a run-time over 2 hours. This double album is legendary and was highly influential toward other rappers. The double album is 1 part Big Boi’s album (Speakerboxxx) and 1 part Andre 3000’s album (The Love Below). The complete album itself features a variety of different beats that Big Boi and Andre 3000 rap over, making it extremely unique. Released in 2003 under LaFace records it has been a highly successful rap album.
Photo by Frederick M. Brown
