The Ultimate List: An In-depth Look at the Best Selling Hip Hop Albums

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Introductory Remarks on the Hip Hop Goldmine

Hip Hop: It’s more than music, it’s a cultural movement that has not only shaped a generation, but an entire global society. More importantly, it’s a genre that has provided us with some of the best selling albums in music history. Let’s delve into our comprehensive perspective on chart-topping Hip Hop albums that have had a profound impact on this extraordinary music genre.

The Era of 90’s Hip Hop Music: A Golden Epoch

The 1990s, fondly remembered as the "golden age" of hip hop, birthed iconic albums that still resound in the corridors of the music industry. One such masterpiece is ‘The Chronic’ by Dr. Dre. Launched to critical acclaim in 1992, it sold millions of copies worldwide and is one of the best selling hip hop albums of all time.

More Phenomenons of the Golden Age Hip Hop

No discussion about best selling hip hop albums would be complete without mentioning ‘Life After Death’ from the Notorious B.I.G. Heavy with East Coast honesty, yet balanced by a pop sensibility, it’s a testament to Biggie’s indelible legacy. Released posthumously, it secured a monumental position in hip hop history, selling approximately 10 million copies worldwide.

Another titan from this epoch is "All Eyez on Me" by Tupac Shakur. Known for poignant lyricism that boasts both vulnerability and defiance, this was the first double full-length hip-hop solo studio album released for mass consumption globally which sold over 5 million copies in the USA alone.

21st Century’s Outstanding Hip Hop Achievements

The 21st century continued the hip hop tradition with a slew of game-changing albums achieving commercial success. ‘Get Rich or Die Tryin’ by 50 Cent ascended him to superstardom, with well over 8 million units sold in the US. His debut album offered themes of survival, ambition, and redemption, holding listeners captive across the globe.

Meanwhile, ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ by Eminem confirmed his unrivaled talent and commercial viability. As the fastest selling studio album by any solo artist in American music history with approximately 11 million copies sold in the US alone, it not only pushed boundaries but frequently shattered them, creating a construct for hip hop to thrive in.

The Evolution of New Age Hip Hop Prodigies

Today’s hip hop landscape is rife with talented artists pushing the genre’s boundaries. Kendrick Lamar’s ‘DAMN.’ is an album that symbolized the modern era’s potency, selling over a million copies in its first week. Audacious in its intimacy, it rallied fans and critics alike, cementing Lamar’s status as one of hip hop’s most profound lyricists.

Debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, ‘Astroworld’ by Travis Scott transports listeners to his surreal amusement park with an eclectic blend of hip hop, trap, and psychedelic music. It’s a zenith of Scott’s creative force that propelled him to the echelons of hip hop royalty.

The Business of Contemporary Hip Hop

The digital age has not only revolutionised how hip hop is created, but also consumed and commercialised. Albums like ‘Scorpion’ by Drake are examples of how streaming platforms can bolster album sales and their respective chart positions. Drake’s 5th studio album broke several streaming records, and its expansive, 25-track journey confirmed his position as one of the great generational voices for the 2010s.

Conclusion: The Everlasting Influence of Hip Hop

The Hip hop genre’s evolution paints a vivid picture, capable of sparking emotions and stimulating the consciousness of its listener base. These best selling hip hop albums are not only a testament to their artists’ talent, but they are also significant cultural artefacts. As the genre continues to reinvent itself, one thing remains clear: hip hop is today’s poetry, the voice of a generation, and it’s here to stay.