<b>Michael Jackson:</b>
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Truly the King of Pop. What singer or artist for that matter, wouldn't want the accolades and the accomplishments of Michael Joseph Jackson? MJ sold over 8.2 million albums in the United States in the 12 months that followed his death. His presence is still being felt even after death. To date, he has sold 70.5 million albums.
<b>Mariah Carey: </b>
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Isn't it fitting that the woman at the top of this list, early in her career, was being compared to the woman she has surpassed? Very few recording artists have the range that Whitney was known to have and Mariah, despite, at one time, dropping off, has sustained a career that most have to envy! Who is a better judge of talent than the woman who has sold 63.5 million albums?
<b>Whitney Houston: </b>
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What can be said about, arguably, the greatest vocalist of our lifetime? At the peak of her career, her voice could silence the savagest of beasts yet still be able to console babies to sleep. Outside of the obvious bumps witnessed by the world, her influence is felt and her vocal range and style has been duplicated (or attempted at least) often by singers wanting to emulate her.
Constantly on top of any and every music chart imaginable, she was able to sell more than 57 million albums, which proves that people couldn't get enough of her voice.
<b>Prince:</b>
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No one can ever deny that the career of Prince Rogers Nelson has been interesting to say the least. From being too risque for some to being the first major artist to be 'emancipated' from a major label contract, he definitely has a legion of fans who enjoy his exploits. The influence of his music and voice is obvious from the likes of D'Angelo to the current Miguel.
It's no wonder that Prince has, so far, sold 39.5 million and I am certain more will be added to that total.
<b>2 Pac:</b>
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We can only wonder how many more albums he would have sold if his life wasn't cut short. Probably the most controversial Hip-Hop artist ever, torn between uplifting his community and proclaiming his 'thug life' persona, there is no doubt, Tupac Shakur was loved for his music.
It's almost amazing that an artist whose life was taken over 16 years ago owns the highest spot amongst rappers. His total sales right now is 38.5 million.
http://www.facebook.com/kingjames1914 James Jackson
This is great. MJ is always the best.
Nadia
Whitney Houston is just…her talent was beyond words at her peak. No one but God himself could provide that type of voice. That type of talent. Timing. Arrangement. The only reason she isn’t #2 is because she stopped. She got married, baby, and laid low. But as much as I love Mariah, and as truly talented as she is, my God, Whitney was something above words. It’s just so hard to describe Whitney’s voice and vocal abilities, in mere words.
Nadia
PRINCE – This man has created music from “Lady Cab Driver”, to “International Lover” to the forever classic and adorned “Adore” to “I Would Die For You” to “Kiss” to so many others. And that doesn’t even include the vast list of songs he produced and created for other artists, “You Got The Look” Sheena Easton, “Glamorous Life” Sheila E, and as he actually created yes created all of The Time’s music and only hired Morris Day and the band to play live, he created the music for “777-9311″ , “Gigalo’s Get Lonely To”, “The Walk”, “Cool”, “Jungle Love”, all classics yes all music Prince created! And the #1 hit “No One Compares To You” Seane O’Connor, the #1 hit “Manic Monday” The Bangles, “I Feel For You” Chaka Khan, and the #1 “Screams of Passion” The Family was responsible for finding Alexander O’Neal who created many RnB classics, “If You Were Here Tonight”, “Sunshine”, “Criticize”, “Saturday Love” amongst others, and Prince also founded Jimmy Jam and Terry Louis who he placed in the original band The Time, and later created the monumental career and music for Janet Jackson’s career. Most of her music was from Jimmy Jam and T Louis. And many others. They are truly legends. And of course that doesn’t touch Prince’s 1999, DMSR, Controversy, the legendary “I Wanna Be Your Lover”, “Temptation”, “Scandalous”, “Batman” and the all time album favorite, “Purple Rain” whichi is highly regarded as one of if not the best album ever made. Of all time. Prince is one of few artists that can be labled as being the music industry. He’s influenced and affected so many. His music in Purple Rain alone made a masterpiece of epic proportions from one album. This man was a child prodigy before his teens playing almost 20 instruments. His accomplishments are far beyond, many, great, iconic, vastly influential, legendary and truly, gifted.
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