Top 10 Rappers of All Time Based on Units Sold & Streams
Written by Jazzy T on July 30, 2021
Who’s your top 5? That’s a question we often discuss at social gathers amongst hip hop fans. On Wednesday a new list was revealed that measures Emcees strictly by the numbers.
Because as Lil Wayne says, “Women lie, men lie, number don’t lie”. As a rap fan for over 20 years, I’m happy to say that this years Top 10 Selling Rappers looks amazing! With the exception of Flo Rida, I have personally purchased at least one CD from each of these artists.
I’m especially proud of my girl Nicki Minaj representing as the only female on the list. (As she should be). Not surprising that Young Money / Cash Money has a total of three entries.
My only concern is that 2 Pac has not sold more units in his lifetime. But then again, he has been gone for 25 years 🙁
Okay let’s get to the list.
1. Eminem – 227 million units sold.
2. Drake – 152 million units sold.
3. Kanye West – 140 million units sold.
4. Jay Z – 125 million units sold.
5. Lil Wayne – 110 million units sold.
6. Nicki Minaj – 106 million units sold.
7. Flo Rida – 102 million units sold.
8. Tupac Shakur – 75 million units sold.
9. Snoop Dogg – 40 million units sold.
10. DMX – 34 million units sold.
Admittedly, it has been at least 10 years since I’ve purchased a physical album, so let’s see who is the king of Spotify streams….
1. Drake – 54.8 billion streams.
2. Eminem – 27.2 billion streams.
3. Travis Scott – 24.3 billion streams.
4. Kanye West – 22.4 billion streams.
5. Nicki Minaj – 21.8 billion streams.
6. Kendrick Lamar – 20.5 billion streams.
7. Future – 19.6 billion streams.
8. XXXtentacion – 19.4 billion streams.
9. Juice WRLD – 19.2 billion streams.
10. Lil Wayne – 17.8 billion streams.
Hmmmm….. still no mention of Cardi B (shrugs)
