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Special Reports

Revealed: Fastest Selling Albums in America’s Music history

Adele

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) was formed in 1971 to represent the music recording sector in the United States. This trade organization certifies studio albums and music singles into gold, platinum, multi-platinum, or diamond. In this latest article, CEOWorld Magazine discusses the fastest-selling studio albums in America’s music history. The publication’s researchers reviewed information on the RIAA’s certified studio album sales and certifications.

They ranked the records according to the number of days between the song compilations’ release dates and the time they obtained a five-time multi-platinum status. The studio albums the RIAA certifies as multi-platinum are smash hit song compilations that have achieved the remarkable feat of selling 2 million copies and above in merely a matter of weeks. Meanwhile, those that have sold more than 1 million copies reach the platinum status.

Records may take years to reach the multi-platinum milestone. However, there are artists whose studio albums are so well-received by fans that their song compilations sell 5 million units or more in less than two months. Studio albums that sell 10 million units or more receive the RIAA’s diamond certification status. CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers considered studio albums and movie soundtracks in this list. Live albums, anthologies, and greatest hits are excluded. The supplemental information on a musician’s performance on the Billboard 200 records chart is the latest through August 12, 2023.

Here are America’s 50 fastest-selling studio albums:

  1. Adele, 25 (2015)
    Adele’s 25 is her third studio album and is the fastest-selling record in music history. After all, it only took 21 days for this 2015 record by the British singer-songwriter to have five million copies sold in the United States. Furthermore, during its initial release week, more than 3 million units of 25 were sold. For ten weeks, 25 dominated the Billboard 200 music list, which is a record chart ranking the week’s most popular studio albums. Adele’s studio album spent a total of 221 weeks on this chart. At the time of writing this article, 11 million units of 25 have been sold in the United States.
  2. Backstreet Boys, Black and Blue (2000)
    The Backstreet Boys made it to the second spot of CEOWorld Magazine’s list of “America’s 50 Fastest-Selling Studio Albums.” After all, five million copies of this world-renowned American boyband’s fourth studio album, Black and Blue, were impressively sold in the United States in just 27 days. This five-time multi-platinum record’s lead single is “Shape of My Heart.” Moreover, the Backstreet Boys’ Black and Blue was in the number one position on the Billboard 200 for two straight weeks. This studio album released in 2000 spent a total of 42 weeks on the record chart. As of 2023, 8 million copies of the Backstreet Boys’ Black and Blue have been sold in the United States.
  3. NSync, No Strings Attached (2000)
    NSync is another boyband making it to CEOWorld Magazine’s “America’s 50 Fastest-Selling Studio Albums” list. Similar to the Backstreet Boys, this American boyband also achieved multi-platinum status, with 5 million units of its 2000 studio album No Strings Attached sold in the United States in merely 29 days. NSync’s studio album spent 82 weeks on the Billboard 200. It was the chart’s number-one record for eight weeks. In America, 11 million units of No Strings Attached have been sold to date.
  4. NSync, Celebrity (2001)
    Celebrity is NSync’s fourth studio album released in 2001. It has “Pop” as its first single. Celebrity is among NSync’s successful song compilations because, in just 29 days, 5 million units of it were sold, making it cross the multi-platinum threshold. The American boyband’s studio album spent a week on the Billboard 200 chart’s top spot and a total of 43 weeks on this rankings list of the week’s most popular studio albums. At the time of writing this article, 5 million units of the Celebrity studio album have been sold in the United States.
  5. Backstreet Boys, Millennium (1999)
    Before the new millennium in 1999, the Backstreet Boys released their third studio album, “Millennium.” The RIAA certified this smash song compilation five times multi-platinum because 5 million units of it were sold in America in just 34 days. Millennium was very popular and well-received among the Backstreet Boys’ fans that it spent 10 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart’s top spot. This studio album, which has “I Want It That Way” as the lead single, spent a total of 93 weeks on the record chart. As of 2023, 13 million copies of the Backstreet Boy’s Millennium studio album have been sold in the United States, making it an RIAA diamond-certified record.
  6. Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
    The Marshall Mathers LP by rap superstar Eminem is a commercial success. This 2000 studio album achieved the RIAA’s multi-platinum certification, selling 5 million copies in the United States in merely 35 days. Moreover, The Marshall Mathers LP dominated the Billboard 200, staying on the number-one spot for eight weeks. This record spent a total of 173 weeks on the record chart. At the time of writing this list, 11 million units of Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP record have been sold in America. Therefore, it is an RIAA diamond-certified studio album.
  7. Garth Brooks, Sevens (1997)
    Garth Brooks’s Sevens is an RIAA diamond-certified studio album released in 1997. Ten million copies of this outstanding record by the American country singer and songwriter have been sold in the United States as of 2023. Hence, Sevens is considered a diamond-certified song compilation. It took 44 days for Garth Brooks’s seventh studio album to reach the multi-platinum status of five million units sold. In the Billboard 200, Sevens dominated this chart for five consecutive weeks and was there for 58 weeks in total.
  8. Britney Spears, Oops!… I Did It Again (2000)
    Oops!… I Did It Again is Britney Spears’ second studio album that hit the record stores in 2000. This Billboard 200-topping song compilation, which spent a week on this rankings list’s top position and a total of 84 weeks in it, is an RIAA diamond-certified studio album as of 2023. After all, 10 million units of the Princess of Pop’s studio album have been sold in America. In 50 days, 5 million copies of Oops!… I Did It Again was sold In the United States, which makes this studio album among the fastest-selling.
  9. Creed, Weathered (2001)
    Weathered is the third studio album by Creed. It was released in 2001 with “My Sacrifice” as the lead single. In just 52 days, 5 million copies of Weathered were sold in America. Additionally, in the United States, 6 million copies of this record by the rock band have been sold to date. Hence, Creed’s Weathered is a certified multi-platinum song compilation. This studio album was well-received by fans, resulting in its spending of eight weeks on the Billboard 200’s number-one position. Weathered spent 74 weeks in total on the record chart.
  10. Michael Jackson, HIStory: Past, Present and Future Book 1 (1995)
    Michael Jackson released a double album in 1995, which is HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1. This record includes the late King of Pop’s first greatest hits studio album and his ninth studio album. CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers included Jackson’s song compilation in this list because, in just a matter of two months or 61 days, his 1995 studio album achieved the multi-platinum feat, with 5 million units sold in the United States. Additionally, 8 million copies of History: Past, Present and Future, Book 1 have been sold in America to date. In terms of the Billboard 200 performance of Jackson’s studio album, it was number one for two consecutive weeks and spent a total of 36 weeks on this record rankings list.
  11. Whitney Houston, The Bodyguard (Soundtrack) (1992)
    The soundtrack of the 1992 movie “The Bodyguard” features Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You,” which is considered an all-time, best-selling single by a female singer. The Bodyguard soundtrack is in CEOWorld Magazine’s “America’s 50 Fastest-Selling Studio Albums” list because it merely took 62 days for it to have five million copies sold in America. As of 2023, 18 million copies of The Bodyguard soundtrack have been sold in the United States. Moreover, this record spent 20 weeks on the Billboard 200’s top spot. For 155 weeks, The Bodyguard soundtrack remained on this chart ranking the week’s most popular studio albums.
  12. Garth Brooks, The Chase (1992)
    Besides Sevens, Garth Brooks’s The Chase released in 1992 is also among America’s fast-selling song compilations which reached the multi-platinum status in just 66 days. In the United States, 10 million units of this studio album have been sold to date, making it an RIAA diamond-certified record. Brooks’s The Chase dominated the Billboard 200 for seven straight weeks and spent 64 weeks on this chart.
  13. Eagles, Long Road Out of Eden (2007)
    Long Road Out of Eden is a studio album by The Eagles. As of 2023, 7 million units of this record by the American rock band have been sold. As among America’s fastest-selling studio albums, Long Road Out of Eden is a multi-platinum record. In merely 69 days, 5 million copies of it were sold in the United States. The Eagles’s seventh studio album spent a total of 75 weeks on the Billboard 200 where it was also number one for a week.
  14. Mariah Carey, Daydream (1995)
    Mariah Carey released her fifth studio album, Daydream, in 1995. This song compilation features “Fantasy” as the lead single. Daydream achieved the multi-platinum milestone in 70 days, with 5 million units of it sold in America within that period. Additionally, this commercially successful record spent six weeks on the Billboard 200’s number-one spot and remained on this chart for 81 weeks. In the United States, 11 million copies of Mariah Carey’s Daydream have been sold to date. Hence, it is an RIAA diamond-certified studio album.
  15. 2Pac, All Eyez on Me (1996)
    All Eyez on Me is the fourth record by late American rapper 2Pac. It debuted in the music scene in 1996. In just 72 days, 5 million copies of 2Pac’s All Eyez on Me were sold in America. This song compilation is an RIAA diamond-certified studio album since 10 million copies of it have been sold to date. Furthermore, All Eyez on Me was number one for two straight weeks on the Billboard 200 and was present on that record chart for 122 weeks.
  16. OutKast, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)
    OutKast is an American hip-hop duo. In 2003, they released Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, which is their fifth studio album. This song compilation is RIAA diamond-certified, with 11 million copies sold in the United States to date. Additionally, 5 million units of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below were sold in America in 78 days, making this record among the country’s fastest-selling. For seven consecutive weeks, OutKast’s studio album dominated the Billboard 200 chart where it also spent 56 weeks in total.
  17. Vanilla Ice, To the Extreme (1990)
    To the Extreme is a very successful studio album by Vanilla Ice. The American rapper’s record spent 16 weeks on the Billboard 200’s top position and was on this chart for 67 weeks. To the Extreme was released in 1990. It contained Vanilla Ice’s debut single “Ice Ice Baby.” Additionally, To the Extreme is a multi-platinum record, with 5 million copies sold in America in 84 days. As of 2023, 7 million units of Vanilla Ice’s studio album have been sold.
  18. Various Artists, Titanic (Soundtrack) (1997)
    The “Titanic” is a famous romantic disaster movie shown in cinemas worldwide in 1997. This Academy Award Best Picture awardee is equally successful as its soundtrack. 11 million copies of the Titanic soundtrack have been sold to date, making it an RIAA diamond-certified studio album. In 90 days, this song compilation, which features the “My Heart Will Go On” track by celebrated Canadian singer Celine Dion, achieved multi-platinum status, with 5 million copies sold in the United States. Furthermore, the Titanic soundtrack was so well-received that it spent 16 consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200’s top spot. In total, this studio album was on the record chart for 73 weeks.
  19. Eminem, The Eminem Show (2002)
    The Eminem Show is a studio album by Eminem released in 2002. The American rapper’s fourth song compilation featured the commercially successful song “Without Me.” The Eminem Show achieved the multi-platinum status in 92 days. As an RIAA diamond-certified record, 12 million copies of Eminem’s studio album have been sold in the United States as of 2023. In the Billboard 200, The Eminem Show performed quite well, making it to this chart’s number-one spot and staying there for six weeks. Eminem’s studio album was on the records ranking list for a total of 441 weeks.
  20. Celine Dion, Let’s Talk About Love (1997)
    In 1997, Celine Dion released Let’s Talk About Love. This song compilation features several singles in which the five-time Grammy Award-winning singer collaborated with famous musicians. One of the songs is “Tell Him,” in which Dion partnered with veteran singer Barbra Streisand and the other is “Immortality,” which is the Canadian singer’s collaboration with the Bee Gees. Let’s Talk About Love is an RIAA diamond-certified studio album, with 11 million units sold in America to date. Moreover, it is considered one of America’s fastest-selling records with 5 million units sold in 92 days. Dion’s Let’s Talk About Love topped the Billboard 200, spending a week on its first position and a total of 84 weeks on this record chart.
  21. Ricky Martin, Ricky Martin (1999)
    Ricky Martin thrilled his fans with his first English studio album which is his namesake and was released in 1999. The Ricky Martin song compilation is the former Menudo member’s fifth studio album, with “Livin’ la Vida Loca” as the lead single. In 92 days, this record achieved the multi-platinum milestone. At the time of writing this article, 7 million copies of the Ricky Martin song compilation have been sold in America, making it a certified RIAA multi-platinum studio album. Ricky Martin’s record was popular in America and worldwide. In the Billboard 200, it was the number-one studio album for a week. Furthermore, on this chart, the Ricky Martin studio album spent 67 weeks in total.
  22. Pearl Jam, Vs. (1993)
    Vs. is pronounced as “Versus” and is Pearl Jam’s second studio album. This song compilation by the American rock band was released in 1993 and reached the multi-platinum milestone in 93 days. As of 2023, 7 million units of Vs. have been sold in the United States. This multi-platinum record also performed well on the Billboard 200 chart, where it was the number-one studio album for five straight weeks. Pearl Jam’s Vs. spent a total of 67 weeks on the record chart.
  23. Usher, Confessions (2004)
    Usher’s Confessions studio album was released in 2004. It carried famous singles such as “Yeah!” “Burn,” “Confessions, Part 2,” and “Caught Up.” In 97 days, 5 million copies of Confessions were sold in the United States. Furthermore, Usher’s fourth studio album is an RIAA diamond-certified record with 10 million units sold in America to date. The American R&B singer-songwriter’s song compilation was on the Billboard 200 chart’s first position for nine consecutive weeks and was there for a total of 178 weeks.
  24. Boyz II Men, II (1994)
    Fans received Boyz II Men’s second studio album, II, quite well, which was released in 1994. It carried the American R&B group’s Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping singles “On Bended Knee” and “I’ll Make Love to You.” II is an RIAA diamond-certified studio album, with a total of 12 million copies sold in the United States as of 2023. It took 100 days for Boyz II Men’s record to reach the multi-platinum status of 5 million units sold. In terms of II’s Billboard 200 performance, Boyz II Men’s song compilation spent 99 weeks on this record chart. For five straight weeks, II was the number-one studio album on the record rankings list.
  25. The Smashing Pumpkins, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995)
    The Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is an RIAA diamond-certified record, with 10 million units sold in the United States to date. The American alternative rock band’s 1995 studio album, which has the band’s highest-charting single on Billboard, “1979,” spent 100 days or a little more than three months to have 5 million copies sold in the United States. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness spent a total of 93 weeks on the Billboard 200. In this record chart, The Smashing Pumpkins’ third studio album was number one for a week.
  26. Garth Brooks, Ropin’ the Wind (1991)
    Ropin’ the Wind is Garth Brooks’s third studio album released in 1991. The American country music artist’s song compilation is another of his RIAA diamond-certified studio albums, with 14 million copies sold as of 2023. Ropin’ the Wind is included in CEOWorld Magazine’s list of “America’s 50 Fastest-Selling Studio Albums” because it merely took 108 days, which is almost four months, for 5 million copies of it to be sold. As for Ropin’ the Wind’s Billboard 200 performance, this studio album occupied the first position for 18 consecutive weeks. Brooks’s song compilation was on the record chart for a total of 132 weeks. Ropin’ the Wind is the first-ever country studio album to debut on the Billboard 200’s number-one spot, per music review portal Allmusic.
  27. Various Artists, The Lion King (Soundtrack) (1994)
    “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” is an award-winning song by British singer Elton John and is included in The Lion King soundtrack. The latter is an RIAA diamond-certified record, with 10 million units sold in the United States to date. The Lion King soundtrack is the song compilation of the 1994 animated movie “The Lion King” released by The Walt Disney Company. It is among America’s fastest-selling records. Additionally, The Lion King soundtrack achieved multi-platinum status, with 5 million copies sold in 112 days. In the Billboard 200, this record spent 89 weeks in total. For 10 consecutive weeks, The Lion King soundtrack dominated this record chart.
  28. 50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003)
    50 Cent released his debut studio album in 2003 titled Get Rich or Die Tryin’. As among America’s fastest-selling song compilations, 5 million units of this record by the American rapper were sold in the United States in 126 days or a period of over four months. At the time of writing this article, 9 million copies of Get Rich or Die Tryin’ have been sold. Fans tremendously appreciated 50 Cent’s first studio album, which included the globally successful track “In Da Club.” For six straight weeks, Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was the number-one record on the Billboard 200 where it also spent 184 weeks in total.
  29. Various Artists, Waiting to Exhale (Soundtrack) (1995)
    “Waiting to Exhale” is a romance movie released in cinemas in 1995 along with its soundtrack of the same title. The latter is among America’s fastest-selling records for it took 126 days days for it to achieve the multi-platinum milestone of 5 million units sold. As of 2023, the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack has 7 million copies sold in the United States. In the Billboard 200, this record was in the number-one position for five weeks. The Waiting to Exhale soundtrack spent a total of 50 weeks on this record chart.
  30. The Notorious B.I.G., Life After Death (1997)
    Life After Death is the Notorious B.I.G.’s second and last studio album. The American rapper was murdered in 1997 and his final record was released sixteen days following his death. As an RIAA diamond-certified studio album, 11 million copies of Life After Death have been sold in America as of 2023. When this song compilation was released, it took just 129 days for 5 million units of it to be sold. The Notorious B.I.G.’s Life After Death studio album featured the popular songs “Mo Money Mo Problems” and “Hypnotize.” It was the number-one record on the Billboard 200, spending four weeks on this chart’s top spot and 90 weeks in total.
  31. Christina Aguilera, Christina Aguilera (1999)
    The Christina Aguilera studio album is the self-titled debut song compilation of the American singer. Its famous singles reached the US Billboard Hot 100’s top position. They include “Genie in a Bottle”, “Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You),” and “What a Girl Wants.” The Christina Aguilera studio album was released in 1999 and it took just 134 days for 5 million units of it to be sold in America, becoming a multi-platinum-certified record. At the time of writing this article, 8 million copies of Aguilera’s self-titled debut studio album have been sold. As for the Christina Aguilera record’s Billboard 200 performance, it was number one for a week. Overall, this studio album spent 97 weeks on the record chart.
  32. Prince And The Revolution, Purple Rain (Soundtrack) (1984)  
    Among America’s fastest-selling records is the Purple Rain soundtrack released in 1984. Five million units of this song compilation by American band Prince and the Revolution were sold in the United States in 141 days or almost five months. The Purple Rain soundtrack is an RIAA diamond-certified song compilation because 13 million copies of it have been sold in America to date. This record was the number-one studio album for 24 weeks on the Billboard 200, where it also spent 167 weeks in total.
  33. Nelly, Nellyville (2002)
    In 2002, American rapper and singer Nelly released his second studio album, Nellyville. This song compilation, which carries the Grammy Award-winning rap song “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland, is a multi-platinum record with 7 million copies sold in the United States to date. In 142 days, 5 million units of Nellyville were sold in America, making it among the country’s fastest-selling studio albums. It was number one for four weeks on the Billboard 200. Nellyville spent a total of 72 weeks on this record rankings chart.
  34. Eagles, Hell Freezes Over (1994)
    Besides Long Road Out of Eden, The Eagles has Hell Freezes Over as another of its fastest-selling studio albums in America. In 149 days, this song compilation released in 1994 attained multi-platinum status, with 5 million units sold in the United States. Furthermore, 9 million copies of The Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over have been sold at the time of writing this list. This studio album was on the Billboard 200’s first position for two weeks and it spent 115 weeks in total on this record chart.
  35. Mariah Carey, Music Box (1993)
    Mariah Carey released her third studio album titled Music Box in 1993. This record includes worldwide chart-topping songs “Without You,” “Hero,” and “Dreamlover.” Music Box is an RIAA diamond-certified studio album, with 10 million units sold in the United States to date. In 152 days or about five months, Carey’s song compilation achieved the multi-platinum status. In the Billboard 200 chart, Music Box spent eight consecutive weeks on the first spot. Carey’s studio album was present on this record chart for a total of 128 weeks.
  36. Bon Jovi, Slippery When Wet (1986)
    In 1986, Bon Jovi released Slippery When Wet. This third studio album of the American rock band features many of their world-famous tunes such as “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name.” In the Billboard 200, Slippery When Wet was the number-one record for eight straight weeks. In this record rankings list, this song compilation was present for 118 weeks in total. CEOWorld Magazine’s researchers included Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet in its “America’s 50 Fastest-Selling Studio Albums” list because, in just a matter of five months or 155 days, this record achieved multi-platinum status. As of 2023, 12 million units of Slippery When Wet have been sold in the United States, making it an RIAA diamond-certified record.
  37. Nelly, Country Grammar (2000)
    Nelly’s debut studio album Country Grammar was released in 2000. Fans loved the songs “Country Grammar (Hot Sh*t)” and “E.I.”, which helped the American rapper’s first-ever song compilation sell 5 million copies in 157 days. Country Grammar is an RIAA diamond-certified record to date because 10 million copies of it have been sold in America. For five weeks, Nelly’s studio album was number one on the Billboard 200. It spent 104 weeks on this chart.
  38. The Chicks, Home (2002)
    Home is the sixth studio album by The Chicks, the American country music band formerly known as Dixie Chicks. This 2002 song compilation is among America’s fastest-selling records because 5 million units of it were sold in the country in just 160 days, or a little over five months. At the time of writing this list, 6 million copies of Home by The Chicks are in music listeners’ possession. In the Billboard 200, the studio album dominated the chart for four consecutive weeks. Home spent 56 weeks on the record chart in total.
  39. Santana, Supernatural (1999)
    Santana released their eighteenth studio album called Supernatural in 1999. This song compilation by the American rock band comprises the internationally successful track “Smooth,” which features Matchbox Twenty lead singer Rob Thomas. Supernatural is an RIAA diamond-certified studio album because 15 million units of it have been sold in the United States as of 2023. When this studio album was released, it merely took 162 days or more than five months for it to attain the multi-platinum milestone of 5 million units sold. Santana’s Supernatural spent 12 weeks on the Billboard 200’s top spot. It was on this record chart for 103 weeks.
  40. Limp Bizkit, Significant Other (1999)
    Significant Other is Limp Bizkit’s second studio album. In 1999, this song compilation by the American nu metal band was available for fans to listen to and it achieved the multi-platinum status in 171 days. As of 2023, 7 million units of Significant Other have been sold in America, making it a multi-platinum studio album. For four weeks, Limp Bizkit’s record was number one on the Billboard 200, where it spent 103 weeks in total.
  41. Whitney Houston, Whitney (1987)
    Whitney Houston’s second studio album Whitney was released in 1987. It contains the famous tracks “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “You’re Still My Man,” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.” Whitney is an RIAA diamond-certified studio album, which has 10 million units sold in the United States to date. When this record was released, it took 176 days for 5 million copies of it to be sold in America. In the Billboard 200, Whitney was well-received by the American singer’s fans, helping it stay on the chart’s top spot for 11 straight weeks.  Whitney was on the record chart for 88 weeks.
  42. Billy Ray Cyrus, Some Gave All (1992)
    Some Gave All is Billy Ray Cyrus’s debut studio album released in 1992. It is one of America’s fastest-selling records, with 5 million copies sold in the United States within a matter of just 177 days or almost six months. At the time of writing this article, 9 million units of Cyrus’s Some Gave All have been sold in America, making it a multi-platinum record. The American country singer and songwriter’s song compilation also dominated the Billboard 200, reaching the number-one position and staying there for 17 straight weeks. Some Gave All spent 97 weeks in total on the record rankings chart.
  43. Britney Spears, …Baby One More Time (1999)  
    Britney Spears’s debut studio album …Baby One More Time was released in 1999. Similar to the American singer’s second studio album, Oops!… I Did It Again, this first song compilation is an RIAA diamond-certified record, with 14 million copies sold in America to date. Spears’s …Baby One More Time achieved the multi-platinum status, or 5 million units sold, in 183 days. Additionally, this studio album was number one on the Billboard 200 for six weeks. In total, …Baby One More spent 103 weeks on this rankings list.
  44. Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
    As an RIAA diamond-certified record, 10 million copies of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill have been sold in the United States as of 2023. This studio album by the American rapper, singer, and songwriter Lauryn Hill released in 1998 became a multi-platinum record in 198 days, with 5 million units sold. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was the number-one studio album on the Billboard 200 for four consecutive weeks. This song compilation was on the record chart for 91 weeks.
  45. Hammer, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (1990)
    Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em is Hammer’s third studio album. It was released in 1990 and contains the popular tunes “2 Legit 2 Quit” and “U Can’t Touch This.” It took 199 days for Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em to achieve the multi-platinum status of 5 million units sold in America. This studio album is an RIAA diamond-certified record, with 10 million copies sold to date. In the Billboard 200, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em was the dominant song for 21 straight weeks. Hammer’s studio album spent a total of 108 weeks on the chart.
  46. Dr. Dre, 2001 (1999)
    2001 is Dr. Dre’s second studio album which was released in 1999. As among America’s fastest-selling records, it took 205 days for this song compilation to become a multi-platinum record. At the time of writing this list, a total of 6 million units of 2001 have been sold in America. In terms of the performance of Dr. Dre’s studio album on the Billboard 200, it was in the second position for four weeks. 2001 was on this record chart for 233 weeks.
  47. Limp Bizkit, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000)
    Limp Bizkit’s Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water was released in 2000. This third studio album by the American nu metal band crossed the multi-platinum mark 205 days after its release. Today, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water has cemented its multi-platinum status with 6 million copies sold in the United States. Limp Bizkit’s studio album was number one for two weeks on the Billboard 200 where it also spent 72 weeks in total.
  48. Shaggy, Hot Shot (2000)
    Hot Shot is Shaggy’s studio album which features the smash hits “Angel” and  “It Wasn’t Me.” This song compilation by the Jamaican-American reggae rapper is a multi-platinum record with 6 million units sold in the United States to date. It took 205 days for 5 million copies of Hot Shot to be sold in America. Shaggy’s studio album spent six weeks on the Billboard 200’s top spot. On this record chart, Hot Shot spent a total of 84 weeks.
  49. Various Artists, Dirty Dancing (Soundtrack) (1987)
    The soundtrack of the 1987 American romantic drama dance movie “Dirty Dancing” is among CEOWorld Magazine’s entries in this list of “America’s 50 Fastest-Selling Studio Albums.” This record is an RIAA diamond-certified song compilation, with 14 million copies sold in the United States as of 2023. Five million copies of The Dirty Dancing soundtrack were sold in America in 206 days. This record comprises the multi-award-winning song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley sang this tune, which bagged the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. In the Billboard 200, the Dirty Dancing soundtrack was in the top position for 18 straight weeks. This record spent a total of 97 weeks on this chart.
  50. Michael Jackson, Bad (1987)
    Bad is Michael Jackson’s seventh studio album. This record released in 1987 is an RIAA diamond-certified song compilation with 11 million units sold in the United States to date. As among America’s fastest-selling studio albums, 5 million copies of Bad were sold in a matter of 206 days, which is over six months. The late King of Pop’s well-loved record includes many globally successful tracks. They consist of “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Bad,” and “Smooth Criminal.” Bad’s other world-famous tunes include “Man in the Mirror” and “Dirty Diana.” This studio album was number one on the Billboard 200 for six straight weeks. On this record chart, Bad spent a total of 171 weeks.

CEOWorld Magazine’s list of “America’s 50 Fastest-Selling Studio Albums” list includes the world’s best records of all time. These song compilations sold millions of copies in America and worldwide. Moreover, this list comprises the records that include the timeless, chart-topping hits that have been well-received in America and overseas. With these extraordinary achievements, the records in CEOWorld Magazine’s “America’s 50 Fastest-Selling Studio Albums” list earned multi-platinum and diamond certifications from the RIAA for selling copies numbering 5 million to 15 million.


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Sheena Ricarte
News & Features Editor at the CEOWORLD magazine. I'm a veteran digital storyteller with a record of creating best-in-class content and commerce experiences. Specialties: Implementing top-level content strategies. Maintaining high editorial standards in fast-paced environments. Managing external media partnerships and collaborations. Mentoring staff and managing teams of contributors. Promoting diverse and inclusive viewpoints. I am always on the lookout for unique stories that go beyond the grit and grind of everyday headlines.