Top 11 Best-Selling Albums of the 21st Century

The music industry has seen countless iconic albums over the years, but only a select few have reached the pinnacle of global commercial success. These best-selling albums of the 21st century have broken records, defined generations, and left a lasting impact on popular culture. Below, we explore the top 11 best-selling albums of the 21st century, based on IFPI certifications and Nielsen SoundScan sales tracking.

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1. Adele – 21 : A Best-Selling Album of the 21st Century

Sales : 31 million copies
Release Year : 2011
Standout Tracks : “Rolling in the Deep”, “Someone Like You”

Adele’s 21 remains one of the most commercially successful albums of all time, blending soul, blues, and pop with deeply personal lyrics. The album’s lead single, Rolling in the Deep , became an international sensation, while Someone Like You cemented her status as a powerhouse vocalist. Learn more about Adele’s journey in our article on iconic female artists .


2. Norah Jones – Come Away With Me : A Timeless Best-Seller

Sales : 27 million copies
Release Year : 2002
Standout Tracks : “Don’t Know Why”, “Come Away With Me”

Norah Jones’ debut album took the world by storm, blending jazz, folk, and soft rock into a timeless sound. The Grammy-winning Don’t Know Why was a breakout hit, showcasing her effortless vocal style and smooth piano-driven melodies. For more on jazz-inspired albums, check out this guide to jazz legends .


3. Eminem – The Eminem Show : Defining Hip-Hop in the 21st Century

Sales : 27 million copies
Release Year : 2002
Standout Tracks : “Without Me”, “Sing for the Moment”

Eminem solidified his status as one of the greatest rappers with The Eminem Show . Featuring introspective lyrics, sharp storytelling, and hard-hitting beats, the album became a defining moment in hip-hop. Explore more about Eminem’s influence in our article on the evolution of rap music .


4. Adele – 25 : Another Best-Selling Album of the 21st Century

Sales : 23 million copies
Release Year : 2015
Standout Tracks : “Hello”, “When We Were Young”

With 25 , Adele once again dominated the charts, producing hits like Hello , which became one of the most streamed songs upon its release. The album showcased her vocal prowess and songwriting depth. To learn more about Adele’s impact, read our piece on modern pop icons .


5. Lady Gaga – The Fame : Revolutionizing Pop Music

Sales : 18 million copies
Release Year : 2008
Standout Tracks : “Poker Face”, “Just Dance”

Lady Gaga revolutionized pop music with The Fame , bringing a new level of theatricality and innovation. Songs like Poker Face and Just Dance became instant club anthems. Dive deeper into Lady Gaga’s artistry in this Billboard feature .


6. Evanescence – Fallen : A Gothic Rock Best-Seller

Sales : 17 million copies
Release Year : 2003
Standout Tracks : “Bring Me to Life”, “My Immortal”

Blending gothic rock with powerful vocals, Fallen introduced Evanescence to the world. Bring Me to Life became an anthem, featuring a haunting melody and emotional intensity. For more on gothic influences in music, check out our article on rock subgenres .


7. Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head : Emotional Hits from the 21st Century

Sales : 17 million copies
Release Year : 2002
Standout Tracks : “Clocks”, “The Scientist”

Coldplay’s second album cemented their place in music history with emotional ballads like The Scientist and the uplifting Clocks , both of which became global hits. Learn more about Coldplay’s legacy in our piece on timeless rock bands .


8. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black : A Soulful Best-Seller

Sales : 16 million copies
Release Year : 2006
Standout Tracks : “Rehab”, “Back to Black”

Amy Winehouse’s soulful voice and tragic story made Back to Black a defining album. Songs like Rehab and Back to Black captured raw emotion and storytelling at its best. For more on soul music, visit this SoulTracks article .


9. Linkin Park – Meteora : Nu-Metal’s Best-Selling Album

Sales : 16 million copies
Release Year : 2003
Standout Tracks : “Numb”, “Somewhere I Belong”

Meteora saw Linkin Park refine their nu-metal sound, with hits like Numb capturing the angst and emotion of a generation. Explore more about Linkin Park’s influence in our article on nu-metal pioneers .


10. Avril Lavigne – Let Go : Pop-Punk’s Breakthrough Best-Seller

Sales : 16 million copies
Release Year : 2002
Standout Tracks : “Complicated”, “Sk8er Boi”

Avril Lavigne’s debut album brought pop-punk to the mainstream, with Complicated and Sk8er Boi defining the early 2000s sound. For more on pop-punk, check out this Rolling Stone feature .


11. Enya – A Day Without Rain : Ethereal Sounds of the 21st Century

Sales : 16 million copies
Release Year : 2001
Standout Tracks : “Only Time”, “Wild Child”

Enya’s ethereal sound made A Day Without Rain a calming and successful album, with Only Time becoming a global hit. Learn more about Enya’s unique style in our article on ambient music legends .


Why These Best-Selling Albums of the 21st Century Matter

These best-selling albums of the 21st century not only achieved massive commercial success but also shaped the cultural landscape of their respective eras. From Adele’s soulful ballads to Lady Gaga’s pop revolution, each album brought something unique to the table.

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