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These are the 25 highest-selling R&B albums of all time

Mariah Carey, Destiny's Child, and Toni Braxton.
Mariah Carey, Future's Little one, and Toni Braxton all have albums which have offered over 6 million copies.

  • These are the 25 highest-selling R&B albums of all time in the USA.
  • Insider's record relies on gross sales figures reported by the Recording Business Affiliation of America (RIAA).
  • Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey all characteristic prominently on the record. 
=25: Numerous Artists – "Ready to Exhale: Unique Soundtrack Album" (1995)

Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album artwork.

Label: Arista

Models offered: 7 million

=25. Usher – "My Method" (1997)

Usher My Way album art.

Label: LaFace

Models offered: 7 million

=25. Mariah Carey – "The Emancipation of Mimi" (2005)

The Emancipation of Mimi Mariah Carey artwork.

Label: Def Jam

Models offered: 7 million

=25. Bobby Brown – "Don't Be Merciless" (1988)

Don't Be Cruel Bobby Brown art.

Label: RCA

Models offered: 7 million

=25. Alicia Keys – "Songs in A Minor" (2001)

Songs in A Minor Alicia Keys artwork.

Label: J Information

Models offered: 7 million

=20: Toni Braxton – "Toni Braxton" (1993)

Toni Braxton Toni Braxton artwork.

Label: LaFace

Models offered: 8 million

=20. Toni Braxton – "Secrets and techniques" (1996)

Toni Braxton Secrets artwork.

Label: LaFace

Models offered: 8 million

=20. R. Kelly – "R." (1998)

R. Kelly "R." artwork.

Label: Jive

Models offered: 8 million

=20. Michael Jackson – "Harmful" (1991)

Michael Jackson Dangerous album art.

Label: Epic

Models offered: 8 million

=20. Future's Little one – "The Writing's on the Wall" (1999)

Destiny's Child The Writing's on the Wall artwork.

Label: Columbia

Models offered: 8 million

=15. Mariah Carey – "Mariah Carey" (1990)

Mariah Carey Mariah Carey artwork.

Label: Columbia

Models offered: 9 million

=15. Boyz II Males – "Cooleyhighharmony" (1991)

Boyz II Men Cooleyhighharmony artwork.

Label: Motown

Models offered: 9 million

=13. Whitney Houston – "Whitney" (1987)

Whitney Houston Whitney artwork.

Label: Arista

Models offered: 10 million

=13. Usher – "Confessions" (2004)

usher confessions

Label: So So Def

Models offered: 10 million

=13. Stevie Surprise – "Songs within the Key of Life" (1976)

Songs in the Key of Life artwork Stevie Wonder.

Label: Motown

Models offered: 10 million

=13. Mariah Carey – "Music Field" (1993)

Mariah Carey Music Box artwork.

Label: Columbia

Models offered: 10 million

=13. Lionel Richie – "Can't Sluggish Down" (1983)

Lionel Richie Can't Slow Down album artwork.

Label: Motown

Models offered: 10 million

=13. Lauryn Hill – "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" (1998)

the miseducation of lauryn hill

Label: Ruffhouse/Columbia

Models offered: 10 million

=7. Michael Jackson – "Unhealthy" (1987)

Michael Jackson Bad artwork.

Label: Epic/Legacy

Models offered: 11 million

=7. Mariah Carey – "Daydream" (1995)

Mariah Carey Daydream artwork.

Label: Columbia

Models offered: 11 million

=5. TLC – "CrazySexyCool" (1994)

TLC CrazySexyCool artwork.

Label: LaFace

Models offered: 12 million

=5. Boyz II Males – "II" (1994)

Boyz II Men "II"

Label: Motown

Models offered: 12 million

3. Whitney Houston – "Whitney Houston" (1985)

Whitney Houston album artwork.

Label: Arista

Models offered: 14 million

2. Whitney Houston – "The Bodyguard: Unique Soundtrack Album" (1992)

whitney houston the bodyguard soundtrack
"The Bodyguard" was launched in 1992.

Label: RCA

Models offered: 18 million

1. Michael Jackson – "Thriller" (1982)

Thriller artwork Michael Jackson.

Label: Epic

Models offered: 34 million

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