There is no clear answer to this question. There are several artists who have sold millions of records as solo artists, and it is difficult to say definitively who is the “greatest” solo artist of all time.
Some people might argue that Elvis Presley is the greatest solo artist, while others might say that someone like Michael Jackson or Madonna is more deserving of the title.
There are many different factors that can be considered when trying to determine who is the greatest solo artist, including record sales, chart success, and overall influence on popular music. Therefore, it is difficult to say with certainty who holds this title.
Best-Selling Solo Artists Of All Time
If we decide to measure success by record sales, the greatest solo artist of all time is probably Elvis Presley. Presley has sold an estimated 600 million records worldwide, more than any other solo artist in history. Some suspect that Elvis’ gross sales could even exceed one billion, as many of his recordings were released before the modern era of accurate sales tracking.
Considering how short his career was (he only recorded for about 20 years before his untimely death in 1977), this is an incredibly impressive achievement.
To better understand why this is so impressive, we need to look at number two on this list: Michael Jackson.
The undisputed King of Pop had an illustrious career that spanned four decades, during which he released 10 solo studio albums that sold nearly 500 million records worldwide. That’s more than any other solo artist in history, but it’s still 100 million behind Presley despite having a career twice as long.
However, these are all reported sales and are best described as educated guesses.
If we’re just looking at certified sales, according to Wikipedia, both Elvis and MJ lose their top spot to Rihanna by a very, very large margin.
So is RiRi the best-selling solo artist of all time? Well, judging by official data alone, then yes, she is, by a wide margin.
Who Has The Most Number-One Hits?
We can all agree that Elvis Presley is one of the most successful solo artists of all time. But is he the only artist with the most number-one hits?
The answer, oddly enough, is no.
That honor actually belongs to Mariah Carey, who has had a total of 19 number-one singles throughout her career, second only to the most overrated group in music history, The Beatles.
Following the legendary singer we have none other than Elvis himself with 18 number ones, followed by Rihanna with 14 and Michael Jackson with 13.
So, based on chart success, Mariah Carey is the most popular solo artist of all time.
However, we are sure that it would be impossible to conclusively prove that Mariah Carey is the greatest solo artist of all time when all possible factors are taken into account, including the fact that her plays and streams skyrocketed on Christmas Eve across all music platforms, including Mp3 juice.
Who Is The Most Influential?
If you look at the artists who have had the biggest influence on popular music, there are a few clear candidates.
One name that certainly stands out is Bob Dylan. He wrote so many great songs and his influence on popular music is undeniable. He is often called the “voice of a generation” and is considered one of the most influential musicians of all time.
Many, many artists have taken a page from Dylan’s book, including Bruce Springsteen, often referred to as “America’s Dylan.”
The Boss has had a huge impact on popular music and is one of the best-selling artists of all time, with millions of records sold worldwide. He also won 20 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
But on the other hand, Michael Jackson redefined what it meant to be a pop star. In fact, he is the one who sets the standard for what a pop star should be. He was an incredible singer, dancer, and entertainer, and he changed the face of popular music.
Many artists have cited Jackson as an influence, including Justin Timberlake, Usher, Chris Brown, and many others.
So, who is the most influential solo artist of all time?
It’s hard to say for sure, but all things considered, we have to give the edge to Michael Jackson. His influence on popular music is undeniable, and he has inspired countless artists over the years.
So, Who’s The Best To Ever Do It?
All in all, in our opinion there is only one answer to this question: Justin Bieber.
Just kidding. This is Michael Jackson.
He was and still is the King of Pop and is the greatest solo artist of all time. He changed the face of popular music and influenced countless artists. His career spanned four decades and he released 10 solo studio albums that sold an estimated 750 million records worldwide.
But it’s not just about performance, awards, and commercial success. MJ was an incredible artist and is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. He was a master of showmanship and his live performances were legendary.
But that’s not even the reason he’s the greatest solo artist of all time.
The reason MJ is the GOAT is because he could connect with people on an emotional level, something few other artists could do. His music touched the hearts of millions of people around the world and his influence on popular culture is still felt today.
He overcame oh-so-many obstacles in his life, and he did it all with a smile on his face. He was an absolute legend, and there will never be another like him
