document_title: List of best-selling music artists

question_text: who is the best-selling rap artist of all time

text: List of best-selling music artists

text: Definitions

text: All artists included on this list, which have begun charting on official albums or singles charts have their available claimed figures supported by at least 20% in certified units. That is why Cliff Richard, Diana Ross, Scorpions, Charles Aznavour, Bing Crosby, Gloria Estefan, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Tom Jones, The Jackson 5, Dionne Warwick, the Spice Girls, Luciano Pavarotti, Dolly Parton, Ozzy Osbourne, Andrea Bocelli and others have not been included on this list. The more recent the artist, the higher the required percentage of certified units, so artists such as Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Flo Rida, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Adele, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Nicki Minaj are expected to have their claimed figures supported by over 75% in certified units. The certified units are sourced from available online databases of local music industry associations. All certified units are converted from Gold/Platinum/Diamond certification awards based on criteria provided by certifying bodies. The certified sales percentage varies according to the first year that an artist appeared in the charts.[a]

text: The requirements of certified sales are designed to avoid inflated sales figures, which are frequently practiced by record companies for promotional purposes.[1][2] The claimed figures are referenced from online articles created by highly reliable sources. For clarity, the sources used, say the term "records" (singles, albums, videos) and not "albums". However, if all available sources for an artist or band say "albums", such sources are only used if the certified album units of the said artist meet the required percentage amount. This list uses claimed figures that are closest to artists' available certified units: inflated claimed figures that meet the required certified units amount but are unrealistically high, are not used.

text: The claimed figures are upgraded only when there is a significant progress in artists' certified sales. In other words, the available certified sales for each artist should get relatively closer to already listed claimed figure in order for higher figures to replace the listed ones.

text: The certified sales of the newer artists may sometimes be higher than their listed claimed figures. This is because Recording Industry Association of America and almost all other certifying bodies count streaming towards Gold and Platinum thresholds required for Digital Single Award certification.[3][4][5] For this reason, some singles and even albums get over certified by hundreds of thousands of units. The over certified figures, however, are often in millions of units for RIAA certifications, one such example is Rihanna's single "We Found Love", which is certified at nine times Platinum by the RIAA, yet during the time of the certification, it had sold 5.4 million downloads.[6][7]

text: The certified sales for some artists/bands who have multi-disc albums can be higher than their listed claimed figures due to Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) counting each unit within set as one unit toward certification.

text: Artists by reputed sales

text: 250 million or more records

text:
The Beatles

Elvis Presley

Michael Jackson

Madonna

Elton John

Led Zeppelin

Pink Floyd

text:
To ensure the highest level of fact checking and editorial control, this list sources sales figures to news organizations and highly regarded music industry related organizations such as MTV, VH1, Billboard and Rolling Stone.
The figures of total certified units within the table below are based on certified units of albums, singles (including digital downloads) and videos.
Markets' order within the table is based on Retail Value: each market generates respectively, the largest market at the top and smallest at the bottom.[8][9]

text:
Artist
Country / Market
Period active
Release year of first charted record
Genre
Total certified units
(from available markets)[b]
Claimed sales

The Beatles
United Kingdom
1960–1970[10]
1962[10]
Rock / Pop[10]
7002270800000000000♠

Total available certified units: 270.8 million [show]

US: 212.250 million[11]
JPN: 4.950 million[b][12]
UK: 17.845 million[b][13]
GER: 8 million[b][14]
FRA: 3.890 million[b][15][16]
CAN: 14.455 million[b][17]
AUS: 3.060 million[b][18][19]
ITA: 305,000[b][20]
BRA: 550,000[b][21]
SWE 485,000[b][22]
SPA: 1.240 million[b][23][24]
SWI: 350,000[b][25]
BEL: 265,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 1.590 million[b][28]
DEN: 260,000[b][29][30]
AUT: 500,000[b][31]
POL: 175,000[b][32]
NZ: 660,000[b][33][34]

600 million[35][36]
500 million[37]

Elvis Presley
United States
1954–1977[38]
1954[38]
Rock and roll / Pop / Country[38]
7002211500000000000♠

Total available certified units: 211.5 million [show]

US: 188.650 million[11]
JPN: 300,000[b][12]
UK: 12.245 million[b][13]
GER: 1.2 million[b][14]
FRA: 2.590 million[b][15][16]
CAN: 2.925 million[b][17]
AUS: 1.587 million[b][18]
ITA: 105,000[b][20]
BRA: 125,000[b][21]
SWE 380,000[b][22]
SPA: 300,000[b][23][39][40]
MEX: 105,000[b][41][42]
SWI: 185,000[b][25]
BEL: 115,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 110,000[b][28]
DEN: 120,000[b][43][44][45]
AUT: 205,000[b][31]
FIN: 213,945[b][46]
NZ: 117,500[b][33][34]

600 million[47][48]
500 million[49]

Michael Jackson
United States
1964–2009[50]
1971[50]
Pop / Rock / Dance / Soul / R&B[50]
7002184100000000000♠

Total available certified units: 184.1 million [show]

US: 104.5 million[11]
JPN: 4.650 million[b][12][51]
UK: 27.195 million[13]
GER: 11.275 million[14]
FRA: 11.375 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 4.670 million[17]
AUS: 6.6 million[b][18][19][53][54][55]
ITA: 1.170 million[b][20]
BRA: 280,000[b][21]
SWE: 1.230 million[b][22][56]
SPA: 1.995 million[b][23][24][39][40][57]
MEX: 3.670 million[b][41]
SWI: 910,000[b][25]
BEL: 365,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 100,000[b][28]
DEN: 1.179 million[b][58][59][60]
AUT: 1.197 million[b][31]
POL: 530,000[b][32]
FIN: 384,127[46]
NZ: 902,500[33][34]

350 million[61][62]
300 million[63][64]

Madonna
United States
1979–present[65]
1982[65]
Pop / Dance / Electronica[65]
7002170500000000000♠

Total available certified units: 170.5 million [show]

US: 85.675 million[11]
JPN: 6.450 million [b][12][51]
UK: 28.845 million[13]
GER: 12.4 million[14]
FRA: 12.795 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 6.030 million[17]
AUS: 4.717 million[b][18][66][67]
ITA: 465,000[b][20]
BRA: 3.440 million[b][21]
SWE: 1.070 million[b][22][56]
SPA: 2.815 million[23][24][39][40][57]
MEX: 510,000[b][41]
SWI: 1.080 million[b][25]
BEL: 690,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 970,000[28]
DEN: 407,000[b][58][59][68][69][70][71]
AUT: 602,500[b][31]
POL: 530,000[b][32]
FIN: 652,686[46]
NZ: 417,500[33][34]

300 million[72][73]
275 million[74]

Elton John
United Kingdom
1964–present[75]
1969[75]
Pop / Rock[75]
7002169000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 169 million [show]

US: 117.850 million[11]
JPN: 1.1 million [b][12]
UK: 22.295 million[b][13]
GER: 7.9 million[b][14]
FRA: 4.825 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 5.975 million[b][17]
AUS: 2.837 million[b][18]
BRA: 835,000[b][21]
SWE: 740,000[b][22]
SPA: 1.2 million[b][23][24][40][57]
MEX: 100,000[b][41]
SWI: 1.313 million[b][25]
BEL: 390,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 120,000[28]
DEN: 150,000[b][44][59][76]
AUT: 765,000[b][31]
POL: 150,000[b][32]
FIN: 163,481[46]
NZ: 255,000[b][33][34]

300 million[77][78]
250 million[79][80]

Led Zeppelin
United Kingdom
1968–1980[81]
1969[81]
Hard rock / Blues rock / Folk rock[81]
7002139500000000000♠

Total available certified units: 139.5 million [show]

US: 114.1 million[11]
JPN: 400,000 [b][12]
UK: 9.130 million[b][13]
GER: 3.775 million[b][14]
FRA: 2.310 million[b][15][16][82]
CAN: 4.710 million[17]
AUS: 2.8 million[b][18][83][84]
ITA: 345,000[b][20]
BRA: 820,000[b][21]
SPA: 450,000[b][24][40][57]
SWI: 211,000[b][25]
ARG: 360,000[b][28]
POL: 120,000[b][32]

300 million[85][86]
200 million[87][88]

Pink Floyd
United Kingdom
1965–1996, 2014[89][90]
1967[89]
Progressive rock / Psychedelic rock[89]
7002118800000000000♠

Total available certified units: 118.8 million [show]

US: 78 million[11]
JPN: 100,000[b][91]
UK: 11.320 million[b][13]
GER: 7.5 million[b][14]
FRA: 6.360 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 6.790 million[b][17]
AUS: 2.932 million[b][18][19]
ITA: 1.685 million[b][20]
BRA: 515,000[b][21]
SWE: 220,000[b][22][56]
SPA: 625,000[b][23][24][39][57]
SWI: 390,000[b][25]
BEL: 115,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 430,000[b][28]
AUT: 460,000[b][31]
POL: 590,000[b][32]
NZ: 787,500[b][33][34]

250 million[92][93]
200 million[94][95]

text: The column for certified sales above includes markets, the databases of which contain certifications representing figures of 100,000 and more.

text: 200 million to 249 million records

text:
Rihanna

Mariah Carey

Celine Dion

AC/DC

Whitney Houston

Queen

The Rolling Stones

text:
To ensure the highest level of fact checking and editorial control, this list sources sales figures to news organizations and highly regarded music industry related organizations such as MTV, VH1, Billboard and Rolling Stone.
The figures of total certified units within the table below are based on certified units of albums, singles (including digital downloads) and videos.
Markets' order within the table is based on Retail Value each market generates respectively, the largest market at the top and the smallest at the bottom.[8][9]

text:
Artist
Country / Market
Period active
Release-year of first charted record
Genre
Total certified units
(from available markets)[b]
Claimed sales

Rihanna
Barbados
United States
2005–present[96]
2005[96]
R&B / Pop / Dance / Hip-hop[96]
7002225200000000000♠

Total available certified units: 225.2 million [show]

US: 167.05 million[11]
JPN: 1.4 million[12][51]
UK: 28.7 million[13]
GER: 4.475 million[14]
FRA: 1.425 million[16]
CAN: 2.760 million[17]
AUS: 9.115 million[18]
ITA: 1.395 million[b][20]
BRA: 555,000[21]
SWE: 2.480 million[22][56]
SPA: 1.430 million[23]
MEX: 380,000[41][97]
SWI: 840,000[25]
BEL: 645,000[27]
DEN: 1.072[58][59][60][68][76][98][99][100]
AUT: 120,000[31]
POL: 660,000[32]
IRE: 240,000[101]
NZ: 667,500[33][34]

230 million[102][103]

Mariah Carey
United States
1988–present[104]
1990[104]
R&B / Pop / Soul / Hip-hop[104]
7002136000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 136 million [show]

US: 92.6 million[11]
JPN: 14.5 million [b][12][51][105]
UK: 9.620 million[13]
GER: 3.250 million[14]
FRA: 4.690 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 4.1 million[17]
AUS: 3.445 million[b][18][106]
ITA: 200,000[b][20]
BRA: 835,000[21]
SWE: 425,000[22]
SPA: 1 million[23][24][40][57]
SWI: 515,000[25]
BEL: 150,000[b][26][27]
DEN: 130,000[60][107]
AUT: 200,000[31]
POL: 100,000[b][32]
NZ: 240,000[b][33]

200 million[108][109]
175 million[110][111]

Celine Dion
Canada
1981–present[112]
1981[112]
Pop[112]
7002125000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 125 million [show]

US: 56.550 million[11]
JPN: 7.150 million[b][12][113][114]
UK: 13.555 million[13]
GER: 8 million[14]
FRA: 15.685 million[15][16][52][82]
CAN: 12.245 million[17]
AUS: 3.302 million[b][18][19]
BRA: 505,000[b][21]
SWE: 1.105 million[b][22]
SPA: 1 million[40][57]
SWI: 1.685 million[b][25]
BEL: 1.885 million[b][26][27]
ARG: 340,000[28]
DEN: 370,000[b][44][115][116][117]
AUT: 440,000[b][31]
POL: 680,000[b][32]
FIN: 356,183[46]
NZ: 192,500[33][34]

200 million[118][119]
175 million[120][121]

AC/DC
Australia
1973–present[122]
1975[122]
Hard rock / Blues rock / Rock and roll[122]
7002113100000000000♠

Total available certified units: 113.1 million [show]

US: 79.7 million[11]
UK: 4.2 million[13]
GER: 10.3 million[b][14]
FRA: 4.180 million[15][16]
CAN: 2.490 million[b][17]
AUS: 7.330 million[b][18]
ITA: 750,000[b][20]
SWE: 350,000[b][22][56]
SPA: 1.355 million[b][23][24][39][40][57]
SWI: 894,000[b][25]
BEL: 100,000[b][27]
ARG: 570,000[b][28]
DEN: 135,000[59][60][123]
AUT: 380,000[b][31]
FIN: 321,169[46]
NZ: 140,000[b][33][34]

200 million[124][125]
150 million[126][127]

Whitney Houston
United States
1977–2012[128]
1984[128]
R&B / Soul / Pop[128]
7002112600000000000♠

Total available certified units: 112.6 million [show]

US: 75.275 million[11]
JPN: 4.3 million[b][12][129]
UK: 14.605 million[13]
GER: 5.6 million[b][14]
FRA: 2.275 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 3.430 million[17]
AUS: 1.580 million[b][18][19][130]
ITA: 140,000[b][20]
BRA: 1.025[b][21]
SWE: 1.035 million[b][22]
SPA: 1.260 million[23][24][39][40]
SWI: 845,000[b][25]
BEL: 215,000[b][26][27]
DEN: 140,000[59][60]
AUT: 535,000[b][31]
POL: 180,000[b][32]
FIN: 247,222[46]

200 million[131][132]
170 million[133][134]

Queen
United Kingdom
1971–present[135]
1973[135]
Rock[135]
7002114700000000000♠

Total available certified units: 114.7 million [show]

US: 55.1 million[11]
JPN: 2.850 million[b][12][51][136]
UK: 28.615 million[b][13]
GER: 11.525 million[b][14]
FRA: 4.495 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 1.870 million[b][17]
AUS: 2.167 million[b][18][19]
ITA: 460,000[b][20]
BRA: 970,000[b][21]
SWE: 190,000[b][22]
SPA: 1.720 million[b][23][24][39][40]
SWI: 1.256 million[b][25]
BEL: 100,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 1.040 million[b][28]
AUT: 900,000[b][31]
POL: 810,000[b][32]
FIN: 366,152[46]
NZ: 275,000[b][33][34]

200 million[137][138]
150 million[139]

The Rolling Stones
United Kingdom
1962–present[140]
1963[140]
Rock / Blues rock [140]
7001972000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 97.2 million [show]

US: 74.750 million[11]
JPN: 950,000[b][12]
UK: 8.510 million[b][13]
GER: 3.2 million[b][14]
FRA: 3.370 million[b][15][16][52]
AUS: 417,500[b][18]
CAN: 3.025 million[b][17]
ITA: 180,000[b][20]
BRA: 100,000[b][21]
SWE: 310,000[b][22]
SPA: 690,000[b][23][24][39][40][57]
SWI: 238,000[b][25]
BEL: 120,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 710,000[b][28]
AUT: 300,000[b][31]
POL: 140,000[b][32]
NZ: 190,000[b][33][34]

200 million[141][142]

ABBA
Sweden
1972–1982[143]
1972[143]
Pop / Disco[143]
7001607000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 60.7 million [show]

US: 12.7 million[11]
JPN: 1.5 million[b][51][144][145]
UK: 18.970 million[b][13]
GER: 10.450 million[b][14]
FRA: 2.750 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 2.785 million[b][17]
AUS: 6.127 million[b][18][146]
BRA: 275,000[b][21][56]
SWE: 800,000[b][22]
SPA: 1.005 million[b][23][39]
MEX: 260,000[b][41]
SWI: 600,000[b][25]
BEL: 380,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 230,000[b][28]
DEN: 600,000[b][147][148][149]
AUT: 175,000[b][31]
POL: 150,000[b][32]
FIN: 656,319[46]
NZ: 297,500[b][34][150][151]

200 million[152][153]
100 million[154][155]

text: 120 million to 199 million records

text:
Taylor Swift

Garth Brooks

Eminem

Eagles

U2

Bruno Mars

Kanye West

text:
Artist
Country / Market
Period active
Release-year of first charted record
Genre
Total certified units
(from available markets)[b]
Claimed sales

Taylor Swift
United States
2006–present[156]
2006[156]
Country / Country pop / Pop / Pop-rock[156]
7002157000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 157 million [show]

US: 134.5 million[11]
JPN: 2.850 million[12][51]
UK: 7.6 million[13]
GER: 750,000[14]
FRA: 150,000[16]
CAN: 4.460 million[17]
AUS: 5.355 million[18]
ITA: 210,000[b][20]
BRA: 170,000[21]
SWE: 180,000[56]
MEX: 450,000[41][42][97]
NZ: 367,500[33][34]

170 million[157]

Garth Brooks
United States
1989–present[158]
1989[158]
Country[158]
7002146000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 156 million [show]

US: 149.4 million[11]
UK: 520,000[13]
CAN: 5.730 million[17]
AUS: 280,000[b][18]
IRE: 120,000[b][101]

160 million[159]

Eminem
United States
1996–present[160]
1999[160]
Hip-hop[160]
7002132000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 132 million [show]

US: 86.1 million[11]
JPN: 2.9 million [12][51]
UK: 21.425 million[13]
GER: 3.450 million[14]
FRA: 3.170 million[16][82]
CAN: 3.770 million[17]
AUS: 5.702 million[18]
ITA: 450,000[b][20]
BRA: 200,000[21]
SWE: 810,000[22][56]
SPA: 290,000[23][57]
MEX: 365,000[41]
SWI: 805,000[25]
BEL: 475,000[26][27]
DEN: 556,000[b][58][161]
AUT: 325,000[31]
POL: 250,000[32]
FIN: 124,547[46]
IRE: 285,000[b][101]
NZ: 562,500[33][34]

155 million[162]

Eagles
United States
1971–1980, 1994–present[163]
1972[163]
Rock[163]
7002129190000099999♠

Total available certified units: 129.2 million [show]

US: 108.9 million[11]
JPN: 600,000[b][12]
UK: 7.635 million[b][13]
GER: 925,000[b][14]
FRA: 2.040 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 4.2 million[b][17]
AUS: 3.395 million[b][18][164]
SWE: 140,000[b][22]
SPA: 500,000[b][23][24]
SWI: 290,000[b][25]
DEN: 185,000[b][59]
FIN: 124,749[46]
NZ: 352,500[b][33][34]

150 million[165]

U2
Ireland
1976–present[166]
1980[166]
Rock[166]
7002106500000000000♠

Total available certified units: 106.5 million [show]

US: 53.1 million[11]
JPN: 1.450 million[b][12]
UK: 18.620 million[13]
GER: 5.125 million[14]
FRA: 5.025 million[15][16]
CAN: 7.115 million[17]
AUS: 4.412 million[b][18][19][167]
ITA: 765,000[b][20]
BRA: 2.675 million[b][21]
SWE: 515,000[b][22]
SPA: 2.275 million[23][24][39][40][57]
MEX: 835,000[b][41]
SWI: 696,000[b][25]
BEL: 725,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 590,000[28]
DEN: 473,000[b][58][59][60][76][168]
AUT: 500,000[b][31]
POL: 360,000[b][32]
FIN: 235,460[46]
IRE: 316,000[b][101]
NZ: 765,000[33][34]

150 million[169]

Billy Joel
United States
1964–present[170]
1971[170]
Pop / Rock[170]
7002102600000000000♠

Total available certified units: 102.6 million [show]

US: 87.950 million[11]
JPN: 2 million[b][12][171]
UK: 5.655 million[b][13]
GER: 1.250 million[b][14]
FRA: 925,000[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 3.275 million[b][17]
AUS: 1.267[b][18][19]
AUT: 125,000[b][31]
NZ: 162,500[b][33]

150 million[172]

Phil Collins
United Kingdom
1980–2011, 2015–present[173]
1981[173]
Rock / Progressive rock / Adult contemporary[173]
7001877000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 87.7 million [show]

US: 39.850 million[11]
JPN: 800,000[b][12]
UK: 15.250 million[13]
GER: 13.8 million[14]
FRA: 6.410 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 3.375 million[17]
AUS: 1.522[b][18][19]
BRA: 1.370 million[b][21]
SWE: 245,000[b][22]
SPA: 2.150 million[23][24][40][57]
SWI: 973,000[b][25]
BEL: 305,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 980 million[28]
AUT: 440,000[b][31]
FIN: 182,581[46]
NZ: 122,500[33][34]

150 million[174]

Aerosmith
United States
1970–present[175]
1973[175]
Hard rock[175]
7001846009999900000♠

Total available certified units: 84.6 million [show]

US: 70.250 million[11]
JPN: 2.7 million[b][12][51]
UK: 3.170 million[13]
GER: 2 million[b][14]
FRA: 225,000[15][16][52]
CAN: 3.950 million[b][17]
AUS: 225,000[b][18][176]
ITA: 100,000[b][20]
BRA: 600,000[b][21]
SWE: 260,000[b][22]
SPA: 200,000[b][23][40]
MEX: 230,000[b][41]
SWI: 145,000[b][25]
ARG: 290,000[b][28]
AUT: 125,000[b][31]
POL: 100,000[b][32]
FIN: 101,722[46]

150 million[177]

Frank Sinatra
United States
1935–1995[178]
1939[178]
Pop / Swing[178]
7001373009999900000♠

Total available certified units: 37.3 million [show]

US: 28.2 million[b][11]
UK: 5.445 million[b][13]
GER: 1 million[b][14]
FRA: 600,000[b][15]
CAN: 650,000[b][17]
AUS: 245,000[b][18]
BRA: 350,000[b][21]
SWE: 130,000[b][22]
SPA: 500,000[b][24][40][57]
ARG: 180,000[b][28]

150 million[179]

Barbra Streisand
United States
1960–present[180]
1963[180]
Pop / Adult contemporary[180]
7001974000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 97.4 million [show]

US: 82.450 million[11]
UK: 5.765 million[b][13]
GER: 750,000[b][14]
FRA: 3.150 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 2.650 million[b][17]
AUS: 2.047 million[b][18]
SWE: 120,000[22][56]
SPA: 150,000[b][57]
FIN: 186,501[b][46]
NZ: 137,500[b][33]

145 million[181]

Bruno Mars
United States
2004–present[182]
2010[182]
Pop rock / R&B[182]
7002118000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 118 million [show]

US: 84.5 million[11]
JPN: 1.1 million[12][51]
UK: 12.9 million[13]
GER: 3.4 million[14]
FRA: 1.775 million[16]
CAN: 5.240 million[17]
AUS: 4.690 million[18]
ITA: 615,000[b][20]
SWE: 440,000[22][56]
SPA: 470,000[23]
MEX: 780,000[41][42]
SWI: 405,000[25]
BEL: 345,000[27]
DEN: 365,000[b][60][183]
AUT: 180,000[31]
NZ: 532,500[33]
PHL: 330,000[184]

124 million[185]

Kanye West
United States
1996–present[186]
2004[186]
Hip-hop / Electronic / Pop rock[186]
7002102300000000000♠

Total available certified units: 102.3 million [show]

US: 87.750 million[11]
JPN: 100,000[187]
UK: 10.220 million[13]
GER: 300,000[14]
CAN: 1.180 million[17]
AUS: 2.135 million[18]
ITA: 135,000[b][20]
SWE: 160,000[56]
DEN: 404,000[59][60][68][188]

121 million[189]

Bruce Springsteen
United States
1972–present[190]
1973[190]
Rock[190]
7002101500000000000♠

Total available certified units: 101.5 million [show]

US: 76.150 million[11]
JPN: 400,000[b][12]
UK: 7.145 million[13]
GER: 4.325 million[b][14]
FRA: 1.887 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 3.2 million[b][17]
AUS: 3.362 million[b][18]
ITA: 575,000[b][20]
BRA: 100,000[b][21]
SWE: 810,000[b][22][56]
SPA: 1.730 million[b][23][24][39][40][57]
SWI: 400,000[b][25]
DEN: 155,000[b][58][60][68][191]
AUT: 290,000[b][31]
FIN: 449,800[46]
IRE: 189,500[b][101]
NZ: 375,000[33][34]

120 million[192]

Bee Gees
United Kingdom
Australia[193][194]
1963–2003
2009–2012[195]
1963[195]
Pop / Disco[195]
7001673000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 67.3 million [show]

US: 41.5 million[11]
JPN: 300,000[b][12][196][197]
UK: 9.065 million[b][13]
GER: 6.675 million[b][14]
FRA: 3.4 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 3.215 million[b][17]
AUS: 1.187 million[b][18]
BRA: 350,000[b][21]
SPA: 450,000[b][24][39][57]
SWI: 415,000[b][25]
ARG: 180,000[b][28]
AUT: 125,000[b][31]
POL: 100,000[b][32]
NZ: 380,000[b][33][34]

120 million[198]

text: 100 million to 119 million records

text:
Katy Perry

Justin Bieber

Adele

Lady Gaga

Metallica

Jay Z

Bon Jovi

text:
To ensure the high level of fact checking and editorial control, this list sources sales figures to news organizations and highly regarded music industry related organizations such as MTV, VH1, Billboard and Rolling Stone.
The figures of total certified units within the table below are based on certified units of albums, singles (including digital downloads) and videos.
Markets' order within the table is based on Retail Value each market generates respectively, the largest market at the top and the smallest at the bottom.[8][9]

text:
Artist
Country / Market
Period active
Release-year of first charted record
Genre
Total certified units
(from available markets)[b]
Claimed sales

Lady Gaga
United States
2005–present[199]
2008[199]
Pop / Dance / Electronic[199]
7001972000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 97.2 million [show]

US: 66.5 million[11]
JPN: 5.4 million[12][51]
UK: 10.985 million[13]
GER: 2.9 million[14]
FRA: 1.58 million[16]
CAN: 2.4 million[17]
AUS: 2.890 million[18]
ITA: 815,000[b][20]
BRA: 470,000[21]
SWE: 680,000[22][56]
SPA: 410,000[23]
MEX: 390,000[41][97]
SWI: 445,000[25]
BEL: 270,000[27]
DEN: 340,000[59][60][100]
AUT: 182,500[31]
POL: 130,000[32]
IRE: 165,000[101]
NZ: 277,500[33][34]

114 million[200]

Metallica
United States
1981–present[201]
1983[201]
Heavy metal / Thrash metal[201]
7001941000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 94.1 million [show]

US: 73.3 million[11]
JPN: 900,000[b][12]
UK: 3.335 million[13]
GER: 3.425 million[14]
FRA: 940,000[15][16]
CAN: 3.805 million[17]
AUS: 2.637 million[b][18][19][202]
ITA: 180,000[b][20]
BRA: 380,000[b][21]
SWE: 675,000[b][22]
SPA: 420,000[23][40][57]
MEX: 430,000[b][41][97]
SWI: 560,000[b][25]
BEL: 335,000[b][26][27]
DEN: 180,000[60][59]
ARG: 770,000[28]
AUT: 340,000[b][31]
POL: 735,000[b][32]
FIN: 530,676[46]
NZ: 315,000[33][34]

110 million[203]

Katy Perry
United States
2001–present[204]
2008[204]
Pop[204]
7002127200000000000♠

Total available certified units: 127.2 million [show]

US: 96.5 million[11]
JPN: 300,000[12][51]
UK: 11.950 million[13]
GER: 2.750 million[14]
FRA: 775,000[16]
CAN: 5.8 million[17]
AUS: 5.090 million[18]
ITA: 680,000[b][20]
BRA: 625,000[21]
SWE: 520,000[22][56]
SPA: 180,000[23]
MEX: 900,000[41][97]
SWI: 160,000[25]
BEL: 135,000[27]
DEN: 235,000[58][60]
AUT: 240,000[31]
NZ: 360,000[33][34]

100 million[205]

Justin Bieber
Canada
United States
2008–present[206]
2009[206]
Pop / Teen pop, Dance pop[206]
7002126700000000000♠

Total available certified units: 126.7 million [show]

US: 86.5 million[11]
JPN: 750,000 [12][51]
UK: 14.785 million[13]
GER: 3.1 million[14]
FRA: 1.2[16]
CAN: 4.780 million[17]
AUS: 4.340 million[18]
ITA: 1.595 million[20]
BRA: 810,000[21]
SWE: 1.820 million[22][56]
SPA: 860,000[23]
MEX: 2.910 million[41][42][97]
BEL: 435,000[27]
DEN: 1.850 million[60]
POL: 370,000[32]
NZ: 600,000[33]

100 million[207]

Adele
United Kingdom
2006–present[208]
2008[208]
Pop, soul[208]
7002104500000000000♠

Total available certified units: 104.5 million [show]

US: 61 million[11]
JPN: 100,000[12]
UK: 20.550 million[13]
GER: 4.7 million[14]
CAN: 6.040 million[17]
AUS: 3.955 million[18]
ITA: 1.545 million[b][20]
BRA: 1.310 million[21]
SWE: 240,000[22][56]
SPA: 800,000[23]
MEX: 1.490 million[41][42]
SWI: 510,000[25]
BEL: 795,000[27]
DEN: 522,500[58][60]
POL: 300,000[b][32]
FIN: 151,639[46]
NZ: 577,500[33]

100 million[209]

Jay Z
United States
1996–present[210]
1996[210]
Hip-hop[210]
7001961000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 96.1 million [show]

US: 80.7 million[11]
JPN: 1.050 million[51]
UK: 9.320 million[13]
GER: 1.550 million[14]
FRA: 400,000[16]
CAN: 1.6 million[17]
AUS: 1.260[18]
ITA: 180,000[b][20]
SWE: 130,000[22][56]

100 million[211]

Bon Jovi
United States
1983–present[212]
1983[212]
Hard rock / Glam metal[212]
7001838000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 83.8 million [show]

US: 49.9 million[11]
JPN: 4.400 million[b][12][51]
UK: 9.290 million[13]
GER: 5.650 million[14]
FRA: 825,000[15][16][52]
CAN: 4.735 million[17]
AUS: 3.030 million[b][18][213][214]
ITA: 110,000[b][20]
BRA: 435,000[b][21]
SWE: 365,000[b][22][56]
SPA: 1.620 million[23][24][39][40][57]
MEX: 250,000[b][41]
SWI: 1.275 million[b][25]
AUT: 725,000[b][31]
BEL: 165,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 350,000[28]
POL: 110,000[b][32]
FIN: 422,500[46]
NZ: 210,000[33][34]

100 million[215]

Lil Wayne
United States
1996–present[216]
1999[216]
Hip-hop[216]
7001799000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 79.9 million [show]

US: 77.7 million[11]
UK: 1.460 million[13]
CAN: 280,000[17]
AUS: 525,000[18]

100 million[217]

Linkin Park
United States
1996–present[218]
2000[218]
Alternative rock / Nu metal / Rap rock[218]
7001787000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 78.7 million [show]

US: 58.6 million[11]
JPN: 1.550 million[12][51]
UK: 5.945 million[13]
GER: 5.750 million[14]
FRA: 1.025[16]
CAN: 1.330 million[17]
AUS: 1.450 million[18]
ITA: 430,000[b][20]
BRA: 595,000[21]
SWE: 165,000[22][56]
SPA: 175,000[23]
MEX: 225,000[41]
SWI: 425,000[25]
BEL: 140,000[27]
DEN: 125,000[58][60]
AUT: 252,500[31]
POL: 220,000[32]
FIN: 120,469[46]
NZ: 252,500[33][34]

100 million[219]

Britney Spears
United States
1998–present[220]
1998[220]
Pop / Dance / Dance-pop[220]
7001785000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 78.5 million [show]

US: 44.2 million[11]
JPN: 2.1 million[12][129]
UK: 10.150 million[13]
GER: 5.050 million[14]
FRA: 3.732 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 3.680 million[17]
AUS: 3.130 million[18]
ITA: 175,000[b][20]
BRA: 380,000[21]
SWE: 1.010 million[22][56]
SPA: 990,000[23][40][57]
MEX: 1.175 million[b][41]
SWI: 485,000[25]
AUT: 365,000[31]
BEL: 935,000[26][27]
ARG: 240,000[28]
DEN: 187,500[b][58][59][221][222]
POL: 210,000[32]
FIN: 143,627[46]
NZ: 240,000[33][34]

100 million[223]

Beyoncé
United States
1997–present[224]
2002[224][225]
R&B / Pop[224]
7001780000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 78 million [show]

US: 53.650 million[11]
JPN: 1.7 million [12][51]
UK: 13.685 million[13]
GER: 1.550 million[14]
FRA: 560,000[16][82]
CAN: 1.395 million[17]
AUS: 2.905 million[18]
ITA: 260,000[b][20]
BRA: 390,000[21]
SPA: 1.010 million[b][23][226]
MEX: 110,000[41]
SWI: 165,000[25]
BEL: 115,000[27]
DEN: 230,000[59][60][68][100][227][228]
POL: 100,000[32]
NZ: 210,000[33][34]

100 million[229]

Rod Stewart
United Kingdom
1964–present[230]
1969[230]
Rock / Pop[230]
7001778000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 77.8 million [show]

US: 43.650 million[11]
JPN: 450,000[b][12]
UK: 18.330 million[b][13]
GER: 3.8 million[b][14]
FRA: 1.8 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 4.055 million[b][17]
AUS: 2.610 million[b][18][19]
BRA: 980,000[b][21]
SWE: 440,000[b][22]
SPA: 290,000[b][23][24][39]
SWI: 100,000[b][25]
ARG: 500,000[b][28]
AUT: 100,000[b][31]
POL: 220,000[b][32]
IRE: 195,000[b][101]
NZ: 280,000[b][33][34]

100 million[231]

Fleetwood Mac
United Kingdom
United States
1967–present[232]
1968[232]
Rock / Pop[232]
7001761009999900000♠

Total available certified units: 76.1 million [show]

US: 51.250 million[11]
UK: 13.585 million[b][13]
GER: 3.5 million[b][14]
FRA: 800,000[b][15][16]
AUS: 2.767 million[b][18][19]
CAN: 2.950 million[b][17]
SPA: 300,000[b][40][57]
SWI: 100,000[b][25]
BEL: 100,000[b][27]
NZ: 572,500[b][34][233][234]

100 million[235]

Guns N' Roses
United States
1985–present[236]
1987[236]
Hard rock / Heavy metal[236]
7001737000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 73.7 million [show]

US: 48.5 million[11]
JPN: 1.7 million[b][12]
UK: 5.850 million[13]
GER: 4.1 million[14]
FRA: 1 million[16]
CAN: 3.520 million[17]
AUS: 2.410[b][18][19][164]
ITA: 685,000[b][20]
BRA: 1.9 million[b][21]
SWE: 485,000[22]
SPA: 450,000[23][24][39]
MEX: 760,000[b][41]
SWI: 365,000[b][25]
BEL: 165,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 1.080 million[b][28]
AUT: 365,000[31]
IRE: 105,000[b][101]
NZ: 270,000[33][34]

100 million[237]

George Strait
United States
1981–present[238]
1984[238]
Country[238]
7001728000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 72.8 million [show]

US: 72.150 million[11]
CAN: 705,000[17]

100 million[239]

Backstreet Boys
United States
1993–present[240]
1995[240]
Pop[240]
7001720000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 72 million [show]

US: 41.5 million[11]
JPN: 5.4 million[12][51][241]
UK: 4.835 million[13]
GER: 7 million[14]
FRA: 325,000[15][16]
CAN: 3.430 million[17]
AUS: 1.4 million[b][18]
BRA: 1.625 million[21]
SWE: 655,000[22]
SPA: 1.850 million[40][57]
MEX: 1.475 million[b][41]
SWI: 415,000[25]
BEL: 425,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 740,000[28]
AUT: 325,000[31]
POL: 300,000[32]
FIN: 171,390[46]
NZ: 132,500[33]

100 million[242]

Neil Diamond
United States
1966–present[243]
1966[243]
Pop / Rock[243]
7001683000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 68.3 million [show]

US: 55.9 million[11]
UK: 7.130 million[b][13]
GER: 1 million[b][14]
FRA: 400,000[b][15]
CAN: 1.725 million[b][17]
AUS: 1.945 million[b][18]
SPA: 100,000[b][39]
NZ: 127,500[b][33][34]

100 million[244]

Prince
United States
1976–2016[245]
1978[245]
Funk / R&B / Pop / Soul / Rock[245]
7001642000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 64.2 million [show]

US: 48.950 million[11]
JPN: 300,000[b][12]
UK: 7.045 million[13]
GER: 2.4 million[14]
FRA: 2.110 million[15][16]
CAN: 1 million[17]
AUS: 1.120[b][18][19]
SWE: 100,000[22]
SPA: 700,000[b][24][39][40][57]
SWI: 250,000[b][25]
AUT: 125,000[b][31]
NZ: 177,500[b][33]

100 million[246]

Paul McCartney
United Kingdom
1960–present[247]
1970[247]
Rock[247]
7001606000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 60.6 million [show]

US: 41.450 million[11]
JPN: 500,000[b][12]
UK: 12.365 million[b][13]
GER: 1.525 million[b][14]
FRA: 1.305 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 1.955 million[b][17]
AUS: 465,000[b][18][19]
SWE: 210,000[b][56][248]
SPA: 640,000[b][24][39]
DEN: 210,000[b][59][249]

100 million[250]

Kenny Rogers
United States
1958–present[251]
1975[251]
Country / Pop[251]
7001589000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 58.9 million [show]

US: 51.550 million[11]
JPN: 100,000[b][252]
UK: 2.520 million[13]
CAN: 4.6 million[17]
AUS: 100,000[b][253][254]
SPA: 100,000[b][39]

100 million[255]

Janet Jackson
United States
1982–present[256]
1982[256]
R&B / Pop[256]
7001521000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 52.1 million [show]

US: 39.750 million[11]
JPN: 1.6 million [b][12]
UK: 4.760 million[13]
GER: 1.4 million[14]
FRA: 1.475 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 1.460 million[17]
AUS: 1.155[b][18][19]
SWE: 105,000[b][22]
SPA: 150,000[40][57]
SWI: 170,000[b][25]
BEL: 125,000[b][26]

100 million[257]

Julio Iglesias
Spain
1968–present[258]
1968[258]
Latin[258]
7001510000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 51 million [show]

US: 11 million[11]
JPN: 800,000[b][259]
UK: 1.620 million[b][13][259]
GER: 250,000[b][14]
FRA: 6.1 million[15][16][52][259]
CAN: 1.5 million[17]
AUS: 540,000[b][18][259]
ITA: 400,000[b][20][259]
NLD:950,000[b][259]
BRA: 12.475 million[b][21][259]
SWE: 290,000[b][22][259]
SPA: 8.7 million[b][23][24][39][40][57][259]
MEX: 2.975 million[b][41][259]
BEL: 125,000[b][259]
ARG: 3.220 million[b][28][259]
FIN: 131,636[b][46]

100 million[260]

Chicago
United States
1967–present[261]
1969[261]
Rock / Pop[261]
7001483000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 48.3 million [show]

US: 44.150 million[11]
JPN: 400,000[b][12][262]
UK: 1.490 million[b][13]
GER: 250,000[b][14]
FRA: 100,000[b][15]
CAN: 1.865 million[17]
SPA: 100,000[b][24]

100 million[263]

The Carpenters
United States
1969–1983[264]
1969[264]
Pop[264]
7001460000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 46 million [show]

US: 34.6 million[11]
JPN: 2.9 million[b][12][114][265]
UK: 7.950 million[b][13]
GER: 250,000[b][14]
CAN: 275,000[b][17]
BRA: 100,000[b][21]

100 million[266]

Bob Dylan
United States
1959–present[267]
1963[267]
Folk / Rock[267]
7001451000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 45.1 million [show]

US: 35.6 million[11]
UK: 5.825 million[b][13]
GER: 625,000[b][14]
FRA: 800,000[b][15][16]
CAN: 1.5 million[b][17]
AUS: 480,000[b][18]
SWI: 175,000[b][25]
NZ: 105,000[b][33]

100 million[268]

Dire Straits
United Kingdom
1977–1995[269]
1978[269]
Rock [269]
7001447000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 44.7 million [show]

US: 15.5 million[11]
UK: 11.1 million[13]
GER: 3.750 million[14]
FRA: 5.3 million[15][16]
CAN: 2.575 million[17]
AUS: 2.190 million[b][18][19]
ITA: 385,000[b][20]
BRA: 175,000[b][21]
SWE: 360,000[b][22]
SPA: 1.380 million[b][23][24][39][40]
SWI: 1 million[b][25]
BEL: 100,000[b][26][27]
AUT: 300,000[b][31]
FIN: 471,530[46]
NZ: 155,000[b][34]

100 million[270]

Bryan Adams
Canada
1979–present[271]
1979[271]
Rock[271]
7001445000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 44.5 million [show]

US: 21 million[11]
JPN: 600,000[b][12]
UK: 8.675 million[13]
GER: 3.850 million[14]
FRA: 650,000[15][16][52]
CAN: 5.120 million[17]
AUS: 2.010 million[b][18][272]
BRA: 100,000[b][21]
SWE: 440,000[b][22]
SPA: 450,000 [b][24][40][57]
SWI: 805,000[b][25]
BEL: 250,000[b][26][27]
AUT: 375,000[b][31]
FIN: 183,444[46]

100 million[273]

Def Leppard
United Kingdom
1977–present[274]
1979[274]
Hard rock / Heavy metal[274]
7001418009999900000♠

Total available certified units: 41.8 million [show]

US: 35.650 million[11]
JPN: 300,000[b][12]
UK: 1.960 million[13]
FRA: 200,000[15]
CAN: 2.995 million[17]
AUS: 385,000[19][275]
SWE: 150,000[b][22]
MEX: 200,000[b][41]
SWI: 125,000[b][25]

100 million[276]

Cher
United States
1964–present[277]
1965[277]
Pop / Rock / Dance / Folk[277]
7001404000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 40.4 million [show]

US: 21.9 million[11]
JPN: 100,000[b][12]
UK: 6.450 million[b][13]
GER: 4.175 million[b][14]
FRA: 1.525 million[b][16][52]
CAN: 1.340 million[b][17]
AUS: 1.530 million[b][18][278]
ITA: 300,000[b][279]
BRA: 125,000[b][21]
SWE: 850,000[b][22][56]
SPA: 600,000[b][40][57][279]
MEX: 200,000[b][41]
SWI: 295,000[b][25]
BEL: 275,000[b][26]
DEN: 300,000[b][279][280]
AUT: 250,000[b][31]
POL: 100,000[b][32]
NZ: 150,000[33][281]

100 million[282]

Lionel Richie
United States
1968–present[283]
1981[283]
Pop / R&B[283]
7001402000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 40.2 million [show]

US: 28.650 million[11]
UK: 6.155 million[b][13]
GER: 1.050 million[b][14]
FRA: 1.4 million[b][15][16]
CAN: 2.380 million[b][17]
AUS: 260,000[b][18][284]
BRA: 100,000[b][21]
SPA: 150,000[24][39]
SWI: 145,000[b][25]

100 million[285]

Genesis
United Kingdom
1967–1999
2006–present[286]
1969[286]
Progressive rock / Pop rock[286]
7001399000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 39.9 million [show]

US: 21.650 million[11]
JPN: 100,000[b][12]
UK: 7.325 million[b][13]
GER: 5.875 million[b][14]
FRA: 3.460 million[b][15][16]
CAN: 805,000[b][17]
SWE: 100,000[b][22]
SPA: 250,000[b][23][24][39]
SWI: 400,000[b][25]

100 million[287]

James Taylor
United States
1968–present[288]
1970[288]
Rock / Pop[288]
7001355000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 35.5 million [show]

US: 34.650 million[11]
UK: 655,000[b][13]
CAN: 100,000[b][17]
AUS: 100,000[b][18]

100 million[289]

Olivia Newton-John
Australia
1966–present[290]
1966[290]
Pop[290]
7001346000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 34.6 million [show]

US: 27 million[11]
JPN: 100,000[b][12]
UK: 3.950 million[b][13]
GER: 250,000[b][14]
CAN: 3.025 million[b][17]
AUS: 310,000[b][18][19]

100 million[291]

Stevie Wonder
United States
1961–present[292]
1962[292]
Funk / R&B / Soul[292]
7001346000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 34.6 million [show]

US: 21.650 million[11]
JPN: 1.050 million[b][12]
UK: 8.285 million[b][13]
GER: 500,000[b][14]
FRA: 1.4 million[b][15][52]
CAN: 1.550 million[17]
SPA: 250,000[b][39]

100 million[293]

Tina Turner
United States
1955–present[294]
1975[294]
Rock / Pop[294]
7001328009999900000♠

Total available certified units: 32.8 million [show]

US: 12.7 million[11]
UK: 8.145 million[13]
GER: 6.050 million[14]
FRA: 1.135 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 1.560 million[17]
AUS: 480,000[b][18][19]
SWE: 330,000[b][22]
SPA: 700,000[b][23][24][39][40]
SWI: 565,000[b][25]
BEL: 190,000[b][26][27]
AUT: 630,000[b][31]
POL: 120,000[b][32]
FIN: 241,954[46]

100 million[295]

Linda Ronstadt
United States
1967–present[296]
1968[296]
Rock / Folk / Country[296]
7001325000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 32.5 million [show]

US: 31.5 million[11]
UK: 435,000[b][13]
FRA: 100,000[b][15]
CAN: 500,000[b][17]

100 million[297]

Donna Summer
United States
1968–2012[298]
1974[298]
Pop / Disco / R&B[298]
7001308000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 30.8 million [show]

US: 24.5 million[11]
UK: 3.735 million[b][13]
FRA: 900,000[b][15][16]
CAN: 1.550 million[b][17]
BRA: 100,000[b][21]
SPA: 100,000[b][40]

100 million[299]

The Beach Boys
United States
1961–present[300]
1962[300]
Rock / Pop / Surf Rock[300]
7001305000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 30.5 million [show]

US: 25.6 million[11]
UK: 3.410 million[b][13]
GER: 250,000[b][14]
FRA: 400,000[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 100,000[b][17]
AUS: 492,500[b][18][19]
SPA: 250,000[b][39][40]

100 million[301]

David Bowie
United Kingdom
1962–2016[302]
1967[302]
Art rock / Glam rock / Pop[302]
7001296000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 29.6 million [show]

US: 11.7 million[11]
JPN: 200,000[b][12]
UK: 11.445 million[b][13]
GER: 525,000[b][14]
FRA: 2.380 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 2.215 million[b][17]
AUS: 565,000[b][18]
ITA: 320,000[b][20]
SPA: 170,000[b][23][24][39]
NZ: 142,500[b][33]

100 million[303]

The Who
United Kingdom
1964–present[304]
1965[304]
Rock / Hard rock[304]
7001269000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 26.9 million [show]

US: 22.150 million[11]
UK: 3.905 million[b][13]
FRA: 300,000[b][15]
CAN: 425,000[b][17]
ITA: 125,000[b][20]

100 million[305]

Barry White
United States
1972–2003[306]
1973[306]
R&B / Soul[306]
7001217000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 21.7 million [show]

US: 16.5 million[11]
UK: 3.665 million[b][13]
FRA: 1.1 million[b][15][16]
CAN: 150,000[b][17]
SPA: 200,000[b][57]
BEL: 150,000[b][27]

100 million[307]

text: 80 million to 99 million records

text:
B'z

Shania Twain

Coldplay

Flo Rida

Nicki Minaj

Ayumi Hamasaki

Van Halen

text:
Artist
Country / Market
Period active
Release-year of first charted record
Genre
Total certified units
(from available markets)[b]
Claimed sales

Shania Twain
Canada
1993–present[308]
1993[308]
Country pop[308]
7001756009999900000♠

Total available certified units: 75.6 million [show]

US: 54.5 million[11]
JPN: 300,000[b][12]
UK: 6.795 million[13]
GER: 1.750 million[14]
FRA: 975,000[16][52]
CAN: 6.8 million[17]
AUS: 2.360 million[b][18]
BRA: 475,000[21]
SWE: 330,000[22]
SPA: 100,000[57]
MEX: 100,000[b][41]
SWI: 310,000[25]
BEL: 250,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 120,000[28]
AUT: 115,000[31]
NZ: 402,500[33][34]

90 million[309]

Coldplay
United Kingdom
1996–present[310]
1999[310]
Alternative rock, Pop rock, Pop[310]
7001737000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 73.7 million [show]

US: 26.6 million[11]
JPN: 750,000[12][51]
UK: 23.085 million[13]
GER: 4.150 million[14]
FRA: 2.930[16]
CAN: 3.205 million[17]
AUS: 3.585 million[18]
ITA: 2.525 million[b][20]
BRA: 340,000[21]
SWE: 590,000[22][56]
SPA: 1.030 million[23]
MEX: 1.890 million[41][42][97]
SWI: 510,000[25]
BEL: 735,000[27]
ARG: 280,000[28]
DEN: 619,000[58][60]
AUT: 197,500[31]
POL: 220,000[b][32]
IRE: 210,000[b][101]
NZ: 345,000[33]

90 million[311]

Santana
United States
1966–present[312]
1969[312]
Rock[312]
7001618000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 61.8 million [show]

US: 47.475 million[11]
JPN: 400,000[b][12]
UK: 2.980 million[b][13]
GER: 2.4 million[b][14]
FRA: 3.510 million[b][15][16][52]
CAN: 1.660 million[b][17]
AUS: 855,000[b][18]
BRA: 375,000[b][21]
SWE: 125,000[b][22]
SPA: 450,000[b][40][57]
MEX: 405,000[b][41]
SWI: 375,000[b][25]
BEL: 190,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 150,000[b][28]
AUT: 145,000[b][31]
POL: 205,000[b][32]
NZ: 135,000[b][33][34]

90 million[313]

Earth, Wind & Fire
United States
1969–present[314]
1971[314]
Funk / R&B / Soul[314]
7001356000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 35.6 million [show]

US: 31.8 million[11]
JPN: 500,000[b][12][315][316]
UK: 2.525 million[13]
FRA: 500,000[15][16]
CAN: 360,000[17]

90 million[317]

Johnny Cash
United States
1954–2003[318]
1956[318]
Country/ Rock and roll/ Gospel[318]
7001307000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 30.7 million [show]

US: 25.7 million[11]
UK: 3.660 million[b][13]
GER: 400,000[b][14]
CAN: 490,000[b][17]
AUS: 522,500[b][18]

90 million[319]

B'z
Japan
1988–present[320]
1988[320]
Rock / Pop rock / Hard rock[320]
7001855000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 85.5 million [show]

JPN: 85.5 million[b][12][51][105]

86 million[321]

Nicki Minaj
United States
2008–present[322]
2010[322]
Hip hop, Pop[322]
7001672000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 67.2 million [show]

US: 54.5 million[11]
JPN: 350,000[51]
UK: 6.3 million[13]
GER: 800,000[14]
FRA: 225,000[16]
CAN: 480,000[17]
AUS: 2.835 million[18]
ITA: 350,000[20]
BRA: 250,000[21]
SWE: 400,000[22][56]
SPA: 100,000[23]
MEX: 150,000[41][97]
SWI: 180,000[25]
DEN: 130,000[60]
NZ: 187,500[33]

85 million[323]

R.E.M.
United States
1980–2011[324]
1983[324]
Alternative rock[324]
7001424000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 42.4 million [show]

US: 21.150 million[11]
UK: 8.705 million[13]
GER: 4.275 million[14]
FRA: 1.450 million[15][16]
CAN: 2.650 million[17]
AUS: 1.030[b][18][19]
ITA: 175,000[b][20]
BRA: 100,000[b][21]
SWE: 500,000[b][22]
SPA: 1.1 million[23][24][40][57]
SWI: 450,000[b][25]
BEL: 150,000[b][26][27]
DEN: 155,000[b][58][59]
AUT: 350,000[b][31]
IRE: 127,500[b][101]
NZ: 105,000[33]

85 million[325]

Flo Rida
United States
2007–present[326]
2007[326]
Hip-hop, Hip house, EDM[326]
7001698000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 69.8 million [show]

US: 49 million[11]
JPN: 650,000[b][12][51]
UK: 7.960 million[13]
GER: 3 million[14]
FRA: 225,000[16]
CAN: 2.810 million[17]
AUS: 3.535 million[b][18]
ITA: 330,000[b][20]
SWE: 780,000[22]
SPA: 140,000[57]
MEX: 330,000[b][41]
SWI: 420,000[25]
DEN: 205,000[b][60]
AUT: 180,000[31]
NZ: 247,500[33][34]

80 million[327]

Ayumi Hamasaki
Japan
1998–present[328]
1998[328]
J-pop / Pop / dance / electronic[328]
7001643000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 64.3 million [show]

JPN: 64.3 million[12][51][105]

80 million[329][330]

Van Halen
United States
1978–present[331]
1978[331]
Hard rock / Heavy metal[331]
7001643000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 64.3 million [show]

US: 57.8 million[11]
JPN: 1.3 million[b][12][129]
UK: 740,000[13]
GER: 1.5 million[14]
FRA: 400,000[15]
CAN: 2.450 million[17]
BRA: 200,000[b][21]

80 million[332]

Red Hot Chili Peppers
United States
1983–present[333]
1987[333]
Funk rock / Alternative rock[333]
7001573000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 57.3 million [show]

US: 32.250 million[11]
JPN: 2.6 million[b][12][51]
UK: 9.595 million[13]
GER: 2.650 million[14]
FRA: 1.420 million[16]
CAN: 2.020 million[17]
AUS: 2.590 million[b][18][19]
ITA: 420,000[b][20]
BRA: 515,000[b][21]
SWE: 390,000[b][22]
SPA: 640,000[23][40][57]
MEX: 150,000[b][41]
SWI: 405,000[b][25]
BEL: 170,000[b][27]
ARG: 390,000[28]
DEN: 227,000[b][58][59][68][334]
AUT: 247,500[b][31]
POL: 245,000[b][32]
FIN: 171,951[46]
NZ: 285,000[33][34]

80 million[335]

Foreigner
United States
United Kingdom
1976–present[336]
1977[336]
Rock / Hard Rock[336]
7001496000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 49.6 million [show]

US: 45.1 million[11]
UK: 1.300 million[13]
GER: 1.5 million[14]
FRA: 400,000[15][16]
CAN: 700,000[17]
AUS: 105,000[b][18]
SWI: 125,000[b][25]

80 million[337]

The Doors
United States
1965–1973[338]
1967[338]
Psychedelic rock[338]
7001469000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 46.9 million [show]

US: 36.6 million[11]
UK: 2.040 million[b][13]
GER: 1.750 million[b][14]
FRA: 1.9 million[b][15][16]
CAN: 2.780 million[b][17]
AUS: 1.022 million[b][18]
ITA: 130,000[b][20]
BRA: 100,000[21]
SPA: 300,000[b][39][57]
SWI: 125,000[b][25]
ARG: 150,000[28]
AUT: 100,000[b][31]

80 million[339]

George Michael
United Kingdom
1981–2016[340]
1984[340]
Pop[340]
7001457000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 45.7 million [show]

US: 19.8 million[11]
JPN: 300,000[b][12]
UK: 12.850 million[13]
GER: 2.4 million[14]
FRA: 3.217 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 1.770 million[17]
AUS: 2.205 million[b][18][19]
BRA: 350,000[b][21]
SWE: 310,000[b][22]
SPA: 850,000[23][24][39][40][57]
SWI: 335,000[b][25]
BEL: 215,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 110,000[b][28]
DEN: 380,000[58][60][68][341]
AUT: 140,000[b][31]
POL: 340,000[b][32]
NZ: 140,000[33][34]

80 million[342]

Reba McEntire
United States
1975–present[343]
1987[343]
Country / Country Pop[343]
7001427000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 42.7 million [show]

US: 41.9 million[11]
CAN: 850,000[17]

80 million[344]

Meat Loaf
United States
1968–present[345]
1977[345]
Rock / Hard rock[345]
7001415000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 41.5 million [show]

US: 23.6 million[11]
UK: 9.665 million[13]
GER: 2.350 million[14]
CAN: 3.260 million[17]
AUS: 2.382 million[b][18][19]
SWE: 100,000[b][22]
SWI: 115,000[b][25]
AUT: 100,000[b][31]

80 million[346]

Barry Manilow
United States
1973–present[347]
1973[347]
Pop / Soft rock[347]
7001365000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 36.5 million [show]

US: 33.3 million[11]
UK: 2.825 million[13]
CAN: 400,000[b][17]

80 million[348]

Tom Petty
United States
1976–present[349]
1977[349]
Rock[349]
7001346000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 34.6 million [show]

US: 31.250 million[11]
UK: 1 million[13]
GER: 500,000[14]
CAN: 1.7 million[17]
SWE: 200,000[b][22]

80 million[350]

Johnny Hallyday
France
1957–present[351]
1960[351]
Rock / Pop[351]
7001247000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 24.7 million [show]

FRA: 24.035 million[b][15][16][52][82][352]
SWI: 268,000[b][25]
BEL: 430,000[b][26][27]

80 million[353]

text: 75 million to 79 million records

text:
Journey

The Black Eyed Peas

Kenny G

Tupac Shakur

Usher

Robbie Williams

Enya

text:
Artist
Country / Market
Period active
Release-year of first charted record
Genre
Total certified units
(from available markets)[b]
Claimed sales

The Black Eyed Peas
United States
1995–present[354]
1998[354]
Hip-hop / R&B / Dance[354]
7001556000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 55.6 million [show]

US: 29.4 million[11]
JPN: 1.250 million[12][51]
UK: 10.8 million[13]
GER: 2.250 million[14]
FRA: 2.650 million[16]
CAN: 2.7 million[17]
AUS: 3.270 million[18]
ITA: 365,000[b][20]
BRA: 255,000[21]
SWE: 300,000[22][56]
SPA: 460,000[b][23]
MEX: 390,000[b][41]
SWI: 460,000[25]
BEL: 460,000[27]
DEN: 161,000[b][60][68][100][355][355][356]
IRE: 135,000[b][101]
NZ: 340,000[33][34]

76 million[357]

Journey
United States
1973–present[358]
1975[358]
Rock / Soft rock[358]
7001620000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 62 million [show]

US: 59.7 million[11]
JPN: 300,000[b][12][359]
UK: 1.360 million[13]
CAN: 725,000[17]

75 million[360]

Kenny G
United States
1982–present[361]
1984[361]
Smooth jazz[361]
7001519000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 51.9 million [show]

US: 48.1 million[11]
JPN: 700,000[b][12]
UK: 360,000[13]
CAN: 950,000[17]
BRA: 1.350 million[b][21]
SPA: 450,000[24][40]

75 million[362]

Tupac Shakur
United States
1991–1996[363]
1991[363]
Hip hop[363]
7001509000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 50.9 million [show]

US: 46.2 million[11]
UK: 3.015 million[13]
GER: 500,000[14]
CAN: 820,000[17]
AUS: 395,000[18]

75 million[364]

Usher
United States
1991–present[365]
1994[365]
R&B / Pop[365]
7001509000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 50.9 million [show]

US: 37.435 million[11]
JPN: 750,000 [12][51]
UK: 7.925 million[13]
GER: 850,000[14]
FRA: 210,000[16]
CAN: 1.190 million[17]
AUS: 2.112 million[18]
SWE: 105,000[22][56]
SWI: 170,000[25]
DEN: 117,500[b][60][59]
NZ: 150,000[33]

75 million[366]

Robbie Williams
United Kingdom
1990–present[367]
1996[367]
Pop rock[367]
7001503000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 50.3 million [show]

US: 500,000[11]
UK: 27.350 million[13]
GER: 9.475 million[14]
FRA: 2.695 million[16][52]
CAN: 250,000[17]
AUS: 2.905 million[18]
ITA: 360,000[b][20]
SWE: 445,000[22][56]
SPA: 440,000[b][23][57]
MEX: 1.595 million[b][41]
SWI: 983,000[25]
BEL: 600,000[26][27]
DEN: 631,500[b][58][59][60][68][76]
AUT: 917,500[31]
POL: 140,000[32]
ARG: 270,000[28]
FIN: 235,743[46]
IRE: 135,000[b][101]
NZ: 445,000[33]

75 million[368]

Enya
Ireland
1982–present[369]
1987[369]
New-age / Celtic[369]
7001500000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 50 million [show]

US: 26.5 million[11]
JPN: 4.6 million[b][12]
UK: 5.250 million[13]
GER: 4.2 million[14]
FRA: 775,000[15][16]
CAN: 1.540 million[17]
AUS: 1.505[b][18][19]
BRA: 1.650 million[b][21]
SWE: 390,000[22]
SPA: 1.760 million[23][40]
MEX: 125,000[b][41]
SWI: 370,000[b][25]
BEL: 460,000[b][27]
ARG: 390,000[28]
DEN: 100,000[b][29][370][371][372]
AUT: 185,000[b][31]
POL: 120,000[b][32]
NZ: 135,000[33]

75 million[373]

Alabama
United States
1972–present[374]
1980[374]
Country / Pop rock[374]
7001480000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 48 million [show]

US: 46.8 million[11]
CAN: 1.2 million[17]

75 million[375]

Nirvana
United States
1987–1994[376]
1989[376]
Grunge / Alternative rock[376]
7001455000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 45.5 million [show]

US: 26.5 million[11]
JPN: 1.3 million[b][12]
UK: 5.570 million[13]
GER: 1.250 million[14]
FRA: 2.5 million[15][16]
CAN: 2.970 million[17]
AUS: 1.257[b][18][202][377]
ITA: 375,000[b][20]
BRA: 725,000[b][21]
SWE: 380,000[22]
SPA: 450,000[23][24][40]
MEX: 475,000[b][41]
SWI: 190,000[25]
BEL: 350,000[b][26][27]
ARG: 490,000[28]
AUT: 230,000[b][31]
POL: 300,000[b][32]
NZ: 215,000[33][34]

75 million[378]

The Police
United Kingdom
1977–1986
2007–2008[379]
1978[379]
Pop / Rock[379]
7001388009999900000♠

Total available certified units: 38.8 million [show]

US: 23.150 million[11]
JPN: 100,000[b][12]
UK: 8.160 million[13]
GER: 1.775 million[14]
FRA: 3.340 million[15][16][52]
CAN: 875,000[17]
AUS: 407,500[b][18]
ITA: 100,000[b][20]
BRA: 140,000[b][21]
SPA: 300,000[b][24][39]
MEX: 100,000[b][41]
BEL: 115,000[b][380][381][382]
ARG: 252,000[b][28]

75 million[383]

Bob Marley
Jamaica
1962–1981[384]
1975[384]
Reggae[384]
7001385000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 38.5 million [show]

US: 21.850 million[11]
JPN: 200,000[b][12]
UK: 7.175 million[13]
GER: 1.750 million[14]
FRA: 4.735 million[16]
CAN: 600,000[17]
AUS: 350,000[385][386]
ITA: 225,000[b][20]
SWE: 120,000[b][22]
SPA: 450,000[b][24][39][40][57]
SWI: 303,000[b][25]
ARG: 240,000[b][28]
AUT: 125,000[b][31]
NZ: 427,500[b][33][34]

75 million[387]

Kiss
United States
1972–present[388]
1974[388]
Hard rock / Heavy metal[388]
7001278000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 27.8 million [show]

US: 26 million[11]
CAN: 1.495 million[b][17]
UK: 100,000[13]
AUS: 130,000[b][18]
ARG: 112,000[b][28]

75 million[389]

Aretha Franklin
United States
1956–present[390]
1961[390]
Soul / Jazz / Blues / R&B[390]
7001247000000000000♠

Total available certified units: 24.7 million [show]

US: 23.5 million[11]
UK: 840,000[b][13]
FRA: 275,000[b][15][16]
CAN: 150,000[b][17]

75 million[391]


document_title: List of The Drew Carey Show characters

question_text: who plays kelly on the drew carey show

question_tokens: who plays kelly on the drew carey show

root

text: List of The Drew Carey Show characters

text: Main characters[edit]

text:
Drew Allison Carey Sr. (Drew Carey) - Drew Carey is the main protagonist of the series. He is a perpetual "nice guy." For most of the series, he works in the human resources department of Winfred-Louder, a multinational department store chain. He's portrayed as a lovable loser, though he's the most successful of his group of friends. Drew is the founder and co-owner of Buzz Beer, a coffee-flavored caffeinated beer (at the time, such drinks were legal but uncommon in the United States). He has a long-standing feud with Mimi Bobeck; his pranks have included destroying her clothes, shredding her vacation requests, and masquerading as Antonio Banderas to taunt her.[1]
Mimi Bobeck (Kathy Kinney) - Mimi Bobeck is Mr. Wick's assistant/secretary and the main antagonist of the series. Much like Fonzie from Happy Days and Steve Urkel from Family Matters, the Mimi character was originally a one-time character, only appearing in the pilot episode.[2] She is an overweight woman who wears a lot of makeup, yet has a very high but unstable self-esteem. (As an in-joke, Mimi's mother was played by Tammy Faye Bakker.) Mimi is Drew's nemesis; she vowed to make Drew's life a living hell after Drew denied her a job based on her makeup. Mimi's pranks have included gluing Drew's hand to a pornographic magazine, covering Drew's desk with garbage, and eventually sending Drew to China while he is unconscious. She is also known for calling him "Pig" and "Doughboy." Mimi's past has a lot of connections to the world of music; she often talks about being a roadie for Foghat and was married to Eddie Money for two weeks after appearing at his first concert. Additionally, she admits to sleeping with both Joe Walsh and Peter Frampton. Frampton still carries a torch for Mimi; he has a tattoo of her likeness on his chest. Later on, Mimi becomes more of a friend to Drew (they agree to put their feud on hold while Mimi dates/marries Steve) and a good, if unconventional, mother to Gus. Early in the series, it was revealed that Mimi was of Polish ancestry, and inherited the title of Duchess of Kraków after her aunt died. However, the episode with this content received a great deal of complaint from the Polish community, and all mention of Mimi's heritage has been removed from the show (with alternative footage placed over these bits in syndication). Starting in 2009, Mimi resurfaced as a guest on The Price is Right during the show's April Fool's episode (hosted by Drew since October 15, 2007), first as a model (2009) and ransacking Mike Richards' position as executive producer on the show (2010). Carey usually promotes Kinney's next project during the closing of that episode.
Lewis Kiniski (Ryan Stiles) - Forms a double-act with Oswald. Lewis, who is tall, lanky, and blonde, is in his forties and can be counted on to nonchalantly say bizarre and offensive things. Ryan Stiles once described Lewis as "Not even a character at first, just a creep really." He possesses an IQ of 162, but works as a janitor for a company called DrugCo. Due to accidentally releasing a strain of bacteria into the population, he was busted down to janitor from a position that required him to wear a lab coat. It's uncertain if he was a scientist or lab assistant, though it's possible he was joking. At one point, he posed as Drew to take his physical exam for him, unexpectedly taking a psychiatric exam as well. He tried to give answers which he thought suited Drew's life and situation, and the results showed him to be mentally unstable and possibly criminally insane. He mentioned in one episode he was adopted.
Oswald Lee Harvey (Diedrich Bader) - Lewis's slightly shorter, dark-haired friend is the dumb one of the double-act, which tends to be his most distinguishing characteristic. Lewis described him once as a "man-child stuck in a sort of prolonged adolescence." At one point Oswald trained to be a nurse, but he proved unsuitable. Oswald was a deejay at the beginning of the first season but later on became a delivery driver for Global Parcel (a fictional package-delivery service whose uniforms are modeled after those of UPS). He later attempted to become a nurse, but he failed the required tests. Drew later got him a job as a delivery man for Never Ending Store, but Oswald was injured on store property. After receiving damages, he bought the Warsaw. His name is a play on Lee Harvey Oswald. In the episode Bus-ted, it is revealed that Oswald joined the group of friends to replace Adam, a childhood friend who fell through the ice on a lake.
Kate O'Brien (Christa Miller) - Friends with Drew, Lewis, and Oswald since they were kids. Kate is a bit of a tomboy and a hothead. She and Oswald almost got married at one point, but she called it off just after Oswald threw her a surprise wedding (essentially leaving Oswald at the altar). Kate later found out about Drew's long-standing crush on her at their high school reunion, and she realized that she had feelings for him too. They dated for a season (even becoming engaged) but broke up when they disagreed about having kids. Drew and Kate were married for a short time in a later season, although this was illegal, as Drew had just become married to his old girlfriend, Nicki. Eventually, Drew's sham was discovered and Kate felt betrayed. Drew eventually regained Kate's trust and they became friends again. Kate left at the beginning of the eighth season, marrying a Naval aviator and moving from Cleveland to Guam.
Nigel Algernon Wick (Craig Ferguson) - Drew's boss after the first season, replacing Mr. Bell (Kevin Pollak). English, crude, boisterous and offensive, he was also a cocaine addict before he was forced to go into rehab. For some time, he and Drew were in a same-sex marriage (technically a civil union) in order for Mr. Wick to get his green card and Drew to get his job back. When he first appeared on stage in guest episodes in the last two seasons he was greeted with thunderous applause. Wick always had unusual methods of firing employees (and nearly always fired someone named Johnson). He is almost always referred to as "Mr. Wick," and his first name is rarely used. In the show's first April Fool's Day episode, Mr. Wick was shot in the crotch with a crossbow and had to have one of his testicles removed (a gag that was referred to for the rest of the series). Wick also lost a toe and a nipple in a fox hunt that went terribly wrong. Craig Ferguson initially auditioned at Warner Bros. for a role as a Hispanic photographer on Suddenly Susan, and after he failed his audition, the casting director referred him to The Drew Carey Show which was auditioning across the studio.[3] Ferguson, who is Scottish, played the role with an over-the-top posh English accent "to make up for generations of English actors doing crap Scottish accents." At the end of one episode, though, Ferguson broke the fourth wall and begin talking to the audience at home in his regular Scottish accent.
Steve Carey (John Carroll Lynch) - Drew's cross-dressing brother. He came to Cleveland and got a job in the cosmetics department at Winfred-Louder. He fell in love with Mimi and after one season of dating they married in a ceremony in Drew's backyard, with Drew officiating along with an online minister from an Internet website. In later seasons the concept of Steve being a cross-dresser is abandoned entirely with little explanation (though it is hinted that he gave it up to make Mimi happy). He left, along with Kate and Wick, early in the eighth season.
Kellie Newmark (Cynthia Watros) - Drew's childhood friend. She has had a crush on Drew since high school but never told him. She was married but her husband cheated on her with her sister. Her mother is an alcoholic and leaves her father, eventually hooking up with Lewis. After Kate leaves, Drew realizes that he loves Kellie. Drew is afraid to tell Kellie because it may ruin their friendship like it did with Kate. After Lily leaves Drew, they confess their feelings for each other. When Kellie comes out while Drew is talking to his dad and asks Drew what they are going to do about their feelings for each other, Drew's dad falls off the roof and dies. Eventually during the beginning stage of their relationship Kellie finds out she is pregnant with Drew Jr. but won't marry Drew because she doesn't think he is ready for marriage. During the finale she decides Drew is ready. But her water breaks and she and Drew get married right when the baby is born.

tag: ul

text: Drew's marriages[edit]

text: Much of the show's humor revolved around Drew's single life (in real life, Drew was engaged for the first time in 2007, shortly after becoming a game show host). However, Drew was married a number of times during the show's run. His spouses during the series were:

tag: p

text:
Diane (Nicole Sullivan) - A cocktail waitress Drew met on a business trip to Las Vegas. She tricked Drew into marrying her because she believed having a husband would give her an edge in winning custody of her children. Drew agreed to help her with the social workers, and they divorced a week later.
Nicki Fifer (Kate Walsh) - A real estate agent whom Drew dated and became engaged to; she dumped him after gaining a large amount of weight while they were dating (and, in her own words, "couldn't be with a man who loved to eat"). She lost the weight, got married and came back to Drew after her divorce (when Drew had just left a mental institution). Drew asked her to marry him on an impulse, and she agreed. Unfortunately, Drew also got married to Kate soon after (thus becoming a bigamist) and she left him. Nicki returned later, having regained all her previous weight, and attempted to kill Drew because she blamed him for all the recent problems in her life. Drew let Nicki stay at his house until she could get back on her feet, after which she was never seen or heard from again.
Kate - The love of Drew's life and his best friend since childhood, Drew and Kate first broke off their engagement after a disagreement about having kids. After Drew's stint in the mental hospital, Kate realized that she still loved Drew and asked him to marry her. Drew agreed (despite having recently married Nicki and still being married to Mr. Wick) and kept both his marriages a secret for a time. Both wives discovered the situation, and Kate, furious, dumped Drew and told the newspapers about the situation; Drew became known as "The Impotent Bisexual Bigamist."
Lily (Tammy Lauren) - A Southern belle who met Drew after Oswald and Lewis started a campaign to find him a wife. Drew brought Lily to Cleveland and attempted to establish a relationship with her, but found it difficult to deal with Lily's night terrors. Drew ended up proposing to Lily on three different occasions: once in his house, another in a movie theater, and finally, back at his home again. After Drew tore up all of his pre-determined wedding plan receipts, Lily agreed to marry him. Lily left Drew after the wedding, driving off without him after giving Drew his ring back. At the reception, Drew and Kellie expressed their hidden love for each other and began their relationship, which would also lead to Drew's final marriage.
Kellie Newmark (Cynthia Watros) - Drew's childhood friend who was introduced in the eighth season. Drew went to a strip club and discovered that Kellie was working as a stripper to support herself after her divorce from her husband. Drew takes her into his house and their friendship blossoms. They were both reluctant to confess their feelings for another, but they became a couple after Drew & Lily's wedding. Kellie soon becomes pregnant, but refuses to marry Drew for another eight months. On their wedding day and the series finale, Kellie gave birth to Drew Jr.

text: Other characters[edit]

text:
Larry Almada (Ian Gomez) – One of Drew's co-workers, Larry is a bumbling and somewhat unprofessional employee who is often willing to resort to less than savory methods to gain the upper hand. During a competition to determine the new employee representative on the Winfred-Louder board of directors, he managed to obtain the position by having sex with Mrs. Louder, a practice that he repeats several times after being dumped by his wife. He loses his job on the board shortly after receiving the promotion, but continues his secret relationship with Mrs. Louder. He also ends up in jail for selling drugs, but is released and continues his job at the department store. After leaving Winfred-Louder, he set up a reasonably successful dating service which later expanded into a television chat show.
Gerald Hawthorne Bell (Kevin Pollak) – Drew's boss for the show's first season. Mr. Bell only appeared in person for his last appearance. He gets caught having relations with a woman in his office and he and Mrs. Louder have to talk it out, but when he appears, he is wearing a Santa costume. We only heard his voice on Drew's speakerphone, despite the fact that Drew had his desk very close to Mr. Bell's office. Little was known about him, but he did not come across as a nice person. He seemed sexist and self-centered and had an office romance with a staff member (unlike Drew's romance with Lisa, Bell was only after the sex). In the last episode of the first season, Mr. Bell finally appeared on camera as he was seen leaving his office after getting fired from the store. The running joke of his never being officially seen until this moment is referenced in dialogue when he says; "What's the matter, Carey? You act like you've never seen me before!"
Fran Louder (Nan Martin) – Mrs. Louder is one of the executives' "cougars" and partial namesake of the Winfred-Louder corporation who originally inherited the store from her dead husband. She is the CEO of the company that owns the department store, and retains her position even after the corporation is bought out by a larger company located in Amsterdam. As the head of the store, she thinks very little of Drew, and openly expresses surprise at the assertion that he still has dreams of becoming more successful, although on occasion she doesn't hesitate to refer to Drew as a good employee. Mrs. Louder occasionally gives him minor promotions throughout the series, but his personality clashes with her ruthless and businesslike nature. She is last seen accompanying Mimi and Steve on their honeymoon, but is removed from power shortly after when a member of the board improvises a speech slurring every major ethnic group. The insulted employees begin to riot, gaining the attention of the bosses in Amsterdam, who fire and replace her along with the entire board of directors except for Mr. Wick.
Robert Soulard (Mark Curry) – One of Drew's bosses at Winfred-Louder, Mr. Soulard was appointed by the Dutch as Mrs. Louder's replacement after the latter was fired along with the original board of directors. Slightly more open-minded than his predecessor, Mr. Soulard agrees to listen to the employees after he is made the new boss, and quickly appoints Drew to be the new Store Manager when Mr. Wick's incompetence gets him sent to Toledo for retraining.
Beulah Carey (Marion Ross) – Drew's and Steve's mother, married to George Carey (Stanley Anderson).
Kim Harvey (Adrienne Barbeau) - Oswald's mother.
King Augustus Antonio Carey –(Dakota and Ryan Williams) - Gus is Steve and Mimi's son as well as Drew's nephew, who saved Mimi from being fired by Drew in the episode "Drew Pops Something On Kate". Just as Drew is about to fire Mimi, he kicks while in the womb for the first time, causing him to feel compassion for Mimi and preventing him from firing her. Gus was born while Drew was in a coma, and his spirit (voiced by Jon Polito) met Drew up in Heaven before being born. After hearing Drew make jokes about how horrible Mimi was, Gus was afraid to be born. Drew convinced him that Mimi would be a good mother by going back down to Earth and spending time in the baby's body. Drew told this story to the others after coming out of his coma, but nobody believed him. Gus was an infant for most of his time on the show, but received an age boost (putting him somewhere between 5 and 6 years old) for the final season. He burns down his house, initially thought to be with a wood-burning kit that Drew gives him as a gift. Since Mimi and Gus had nowhere to live, Drew offers his home to them, and they stay there almost until the end of the show. It was later discovered that Gus was a pyromaniac and intentionally started a fire in the house.
Lisa Robbins (Katy Selverstone) – Drew's girlfriend from season one, she is prevented from dating him as the rules at Winfred-Louder do not allow management to participate in romantic relationships with their employees. Although this initially forces them to hide their relationship in public, they eventually find a way to overcome this obstacle. She vies for a job as the head of the personal shopper department to become a member of the store's management, prompting a competition with fellow applicants Kate and Mimi. Lisa begins dating Drew after she gets the job, but after a failed attempt to live together they agree to break up. She leaves her dog, Speedy, behind to stay with him and departs for good after her marriage in the second season.
Lord Mercer (Jim Piddock) – An extremely wealthy Englishman, who bought Winfred-Louder and became the new owner after the Dutch divested themselves of the company/store(s). He also brings back Mr. Wick, saying only Englishmen know how to run a business.
Christine Watson (Wanda Sykes) – Hired to replace Nigel Wick as manager, falls in love with Drew.
Jay Clemens (Robert Torti) – Kate's boyfriend from season one.
Evan (Kyle Howard) – Co-owner of Never Ending Store with his brother, Scott (of the two bosses, he is regarded as the 'nice' one). He is a Zen-seeking Buddhist who promotes peace and support, although he himself has a life coach, sees a family therapist with his brother, and takes anti-anxiety pills. He has a tenuous relationship with Scott because they spend so much time together.
Scott (Jonathan Mangum) – Co-owner of Never Ending Store with his brother, Evan. He is more business-minded than Evan, and can get very irritated by Evan's peace-seeking way of life. He teaches computer classes during the summer.
Mrs. Wick (Richard Chamberlain) – Nigel Wick's "Mum" Maggie.
Chuck (Kelly Perine) - Security Guard / Head of Security at Winfred-Louder. Chuck is a fellow employee at Winfred-Louder who seems to have a friendly relationship with Drew, as he, in his first appearance in the episode "No Two Things Are Exactly Alike" in Season 1, he tips Drew to the person who complained about a fellow employee who became offended at a sexually offensive cartoon which he put on a memo in the hopes of boosting company morale. In Chuck's final appearance in the Season 5 episode "Drew and the Racial Tension Play", Chuck is among the many minority employees who become offended at the socially insensitive comments of senior company board member Arthur Crawford (Hansford Rowe) who try to solicit Drew to get Crawford to apologize for his comments or resign.

text: Notable guest stars[edit]

text: Celebrity cameos[edit]

text:
Tim Allen - Himself
David Lander - Himself
Jamie Lee Curtis - Sioux
David Cross - Earl
Tammy Faye - Mimi's Mother
Brian Haley - Drew Look-Alike
Martin Mull - Himself
Michael R. White - Himself
Dan Castellaneta - Stan
Rachel Hunter - Herself
Donald Trump - Himself
Carol Channing - Herself
Rush Limbaugh - Himself
Eugene Levy - Dr. Rider
Joe Alaskey - Daffy Duck
Dick Clark - Himself
Paul Michael Levesque - The Disciplinarian
Bo Derek - Herself
Wayne Brady - Himself
Greg Proops - Himself
Brad Sherwood - Himself
Laura Hall - Herself
Arturo Brachetti - Himself
J.P. Manoux - Malcolm
Cameron Mathison - Kirk

Norm Macdonald - Simon Tate
Heather Locklear - Herself
Dave Mustaine - Himself
Chip Esten - Himself
Kathy Greenwood - Herself
Carmen Electra - Lewis's Boss
Jay Leno - Lewis's Boss
Charles Nelson Reilly - Lewis's Boss
Ben Stein - Heavenly Guide
Gary Coleman - Drew's Double
Jimmie Walker - Lewis's Double
Meshach Taylor - Oswald's Double
Kim Fields - Kate's Double
Thea Vidale - Mimi's Double
Jenny McCarthy - Sketch Player/Marlo Kelly
Amanda Bynes - Sketch Player
Henry Winkler - Mr. Newsome
John Ratzenberger - Himself
Leslie Sykes - Herself
Lacey Chabert - Grace
Roselyn Sanchez - Maria
Kathryn Joosten - Natalie
French Stewart - Buddy
Lorenzo Music - Store Announcer
Jeff Davis - Himself/D'artagnan
Jessica Cauffiel - Milan
Illeana Douglas - Rachel Murray
Tom Poston - Oswald's father
Kathy Griffin
Colin Mochrie - Eugene Anderson
Wayne Knight - Insurance examiner
The Go-Go's

tag: table

text: Musical artist cameos[edit]

text:
Little Richard
Joe Walsh (initially as himself, then as Ed, lead guitarist of Drew's band The Horn Dogs)
Dionne Warwick
Roy Clark
Dusty Hill
Jonny Lang
Lisa Loeb
Dave Mustaine
Rick Nielsen
Joey Ramone
Slash
Michael Stanley
Henry Rollins
Matthew Sweet
"Weird Al" Yankovic
Eddie Money
Charlotte Caffey

Belinda Carlisle
Gina Schock
Kathy Valentine
Jane Wiedlin
SHeDAISY
Smash Mouth
John Regan
Peter Frampton
Bob Mayo
Uncle Kracker
Sugar Ray
Motörhead
Blue Man Group
Dee Snider
Goo Goo Dolls
The Reverend Horton Heat

text: Sports personality cameos[edit]

text:
Rosey Brown
Dave Winfield
Bernie Kosar
Bob Costas
Kenny Mayne
Lynn Swann
Chris Palmer
Bobby Bonds
Jeff Gordon
Triple H


document_title: How much wood would a woodchuck chuck

question_text: where did how much wood could a woodchuck chuck come from

text: How much wood would a woodchuck chuck

text: Answers[edit]

text: A traditional, if nonsensical, "response" to the question is: "A woodchuck would chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood".[5]  Other—similarly unhelpful—responses include "So much wood would a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood!" and "He would chuck, he would, as much as he could, and chuck as much wood as a woodchuck would if a woodchuck could chuck wood."[6]

text: A 1957 Associated Press piece refers to the question as "a riddle which beats the Sphinx, since it's still unanswered".[7] A more concrete answer was published by the Associated Press in 1988, which reported that a New York fish and wildlife technician named Richard Thomas had calculated the volume of dirt in a typical 25–30-foot (7.6–9.1 m) long woodchuck burrow and had determined that if the woodchuck had moved an equivalent volume of wood, it could move "about 700 pounds (320 kg) on a good day, with the wind at his back".[8][9]  Another study, which considered "chuck" to be the opposite of upchucking, determined that a woodchuck could ingest 361.9237001 cm3 (22.08593926 cu in)[10] of wood per day.[11]

text:
Another proposed response comes from the parody-filled video game Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, where the protagonist asks a carpenter the question and gets the response:
"A woodchuck would chuck no amount of wood since a woodchuck can't chuck wood."[12]

text: Origin[edit]

text: The origin of the phrase is from a 1902 song "The Woodchuck Song", written by Robert Hobart Davis for Fay Templeton in the musical The Runaways.[13][14] The lyrics became better known in a 1904 version of the song written by Theodore Morse, with a chorus of "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?",[15] which was recorded by Ragtime Roberts, in 1904.[16]

text: The tongue-twister is documented as "folklore" in 1972 at Farmington, Michigan.[17] It is used in the title of Werner Herzog's 1976 film How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck, a documentation of the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in New Holland, Pennsylvania.

text: Popular culture[edit]

text:
Google features this tongue twister as an Easter egg in its Google search and Google Now.[18][19][20][21]
A slight variation was featured in the video game "Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge".[22]
Wolfram|Alpha features an easter egg when asked the query "How much wood could a woodchuck chuck?"[23]
Ludacris incorporates this tongue twister in the Chamillionaire single "Creepin' (Solo)".[24]
A British YouTube personality, KSI used a version of the phrase in his song titled "Earthquake" which achieved over 30 million views.[25] The line in question asks another YouTuber, Behzinga, 'how much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck looked like you?'