Who is the best-selling New York rapper of all time?
Many people consider New York the mecca of hip-hop, which has produced some of the biggest rappers in the genre. That competitiveness has led to people proclaiming themselves the ‘King of New York‘ over the years, but when it comes to sales, only one rapper can proudly claim that title.
Business Insider wrote a report in September 2024 that revealed the 16 rappers who have sold the most albums of all time. Much of the list was made up of rappers from New York, giving the East Coast the ultimate bragging rights.
At number seven on the list is LL Cool J with 12.5million album sales. The rapper from Long Island was one of the first to achieve mainstream success with his debut album, Radio, released in 1985. He has one number-one album to his name in 2000’s G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time), with 2002’s 10 also peaking at number two. Platinum albums in his catalogue include Bigger and Better, Walking with a Panther, Mama Said Knock You Out, Mr Smith and Phenomenon.
Next up, at number six, is Nas, also with 12.5million album sales. While he might not be the best-selling, many consider him to be one of the greatest rappers of all time, starting with his classic debut album Illmatic in 1994. Despite the critical success of his first album, It Was Written remains Nas’ best-selling album, topping the Billboard 200 chart in 1996. He has plenty of number ones to his name, including I Am…, Hip Hop Is Dead, Untitled and Life Is Good.
Stepping up the numbers a little, DMX is positioned at number five with 14 million album sales. The Yonkers rapper, who died in 2021, boasts a stellar discography, with his first three albums It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood and …And Then There Was X selling a combined 12million copies. Each project topped the Billboard 200, as well as his next two albums, The Great Depression and Grand Champ.
50 Cent takes the fourth spot with 15.5million album sales. The G-Unit boss is best known for his classic 2003 album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, which debuted at number one and is nine times platinum. His second album, The Massacre, also topped the chart and is six times platinum. It continued his success with hits like ‘Candy Shop’ and ‘Just a Lil’ Bit’.
At number three is Biggie Smalls with 21million album sales. The Notorious B.I.G. only released one album during his lifetime, Ready to Die, which is considered one of the best rap albums of all time. His second album, Life After Death, released 16 days after he was killed, sold 690,000 copies in its first week and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
The Beastie Boys are number two on the list with 23million album sales. Their debut album, Licensed to Ill, released in 1986, is one of the best-selling albums of all time and has achieved diamond status. The LP debuted at number one, along with later albums Ill Communication, Hello Nasty and To the 5 Boroughs.
So, who is the best-selling New York rapper of all time?
Jay-Z easily takes the crown for the best-selling rapper in New York history, having sold over 33.5million albums. All 13 of his albums have gone platinum, including his last album, 4:44, which was released in 2017.
He has an incredible run of albums to reach number one on the Billboard 200, with his last 11 albums topping the chart, beginning with Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life in 1998. The likes of Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter, The Blueprint, The Black Album and Magna Carta… Holy Grail are among some of his biggest albums.