Determining the "best-selling" female soloist depends on the criteria used. Different sources use various metrics to rank artists, such as album sales, digital downloads, streaming numbers, and combined sales across platforms.
Here are some contenders for the title, based on different metrics:
By Album Sales:
- Barbra Streisand: With over 140 million albums sold worldwide, Barbra Streisand is widely considered the best-selling female artist of all time based solely on physical album sales.
- Madonna: Madonna is another strong contender, with estimated sales exceeding 300 million records across all formats.
By Combined Sales and Streaming:
- Mariah Carey: Mariah Carey holds the record for the most number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is considered one of the best-selling music artists of all time, including digital downloads and streaming.
- Whitney Houston: Whitney Houston's impact on the music industry is undeniable. Her combined sales and streaming numbers are impressive, making her another strong contender for the title.
By Digital Downloads and Streaming:
- Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift is a global phenomenon with massive streaming numbers and digital downloads, making her a strong contender for the best-selling female soloist in the digital era.
- Rihanna: Rihanna's dominance in the digital music market is undeniable, with her streaming numbers and digital downloads placing her among the top-selling female artists.
Ultimately, the answer to the question "Who is the best-selling female soloist?" depends on the specific criteria used for ranking. Each of the artists mentioned above has achieved significant success and holds a prominent position in the music industry.
