Music of the United States

In the 20th century, the United States became a big player in the global entertainment scene, exporting movies, films, and music. While genres like pop, rock, hip hop, country, and jazz are well-known exports, other styles in the roots music category, such as blues, salsa, bluegrass, and Celtic music, also have a significant impact on American music and culture.

In this article, we will take a look at the Highest-Certified Music Artists in the United States, Education and Scholarship, Different Genres as well as the roots of Music in the United States.

Let’s get started!

Music of the United States: Top 100 Certified Music Artists (Albums)

Here’s the list of artists with the top 100 highest-certified albums:

Rank	Units (millions)	Name	Nationality	Active Years
1	183	The Beatles	UK	1960s–1970s
2	162	Garth Brooks	US	1980s–2020s
3	146.5	Elvis Presley	US	1950s–1970s†
4	120	Eagles	US	1970s–2020s
5	112.5	Led Zeppelin	UK	1960s–1980s
6	89	Michael Jackson	US	1970s–2000s†
7	86	Billy Joel	US	1970s–2020s
8	80	Elton John	UK	1960s–2020s
9	75	AC/DC	Australia	1970s–2020s
10	75	Mariah Carey	US	1990s–2020s
11	75	Pink Floyd	UK	1960s–2010s
12	71	Bruce Springsteen	US	1970s–2020s
13	69.5	Aerosmith	US	1970s–2020s
14	69.5	George Strait	US	1980s–2020s
15	68.5	Barbra Streisand	US	1960s–2010s
16	66.5	The Rolling Stones	UK	1960s–2020s
17	65.5	Madonna	US	1980s–2020s
18	63	Metallica	US	1980s–2020s
19	61.5	Eminem	US	1990s–2020s
20	61	Whitney Houston	US	1980s–2010s†
21	56.5	Van Halen	US	1970s–2010s
22	55.5	Fleetwood Mac	UK	1960s–2010s
23	53	Celine Dion	Canada	1990s–2020s
24	52.5	Journey	US	1970s–2020s
25	52	U2	Ireland	1970s–2010s
26	51	Taylor Swift	US	2000s–2020s
27	49.5	Neil Diamond	US	1960s–2020s
28	49	Alabama	US	1970s–2020s
29	48	Kenny G	US	1980s–2020s
30	48	Shania Twain	Canada	1990s–2020s
31	47.5	Drake	Canada	2000s–2020s
32	47.5	Kenny Rogers	US	1950s–2000s†
33	44.5	Alan Jackson	US	1980s–2020s
34	44.5	Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band	US	1960s–2020s
35	44.5	Guns N’ Roses	US	1980s–2020s
36	43.5	Santana	US	1960s–2020s
37	43	Queen	UK	1970s–2020s
38	41	Reba McEntire	US	1970s–2020s
39	40	Eric Clapton	UK	1960s–2020s
40	40	Tim McGraw	US	1990s–2020s
41	39	Chicago	US	1960s–2020s
42	38.5	Britney Spears	US	1990s–2020s
43	38.5	Simon & Garfunkel	US	1960s–2010s
44	38	Foreigner	US	1970s–2020s
45	38	Rod Stewart	UK	1960s–2020s
46	37	Backstreet Boys	US	1990s–2020s
47	36.5	Tupac Shakur	US	1990s†
48	36	Bob Dylan	US	1960s–2020s
49	35.5	Def Leppard	UK	1970s–2020s
50	35	Kenny Chesney	US	1990s–2020s
51	34.5	Bon Jovi	US	1980s–2020s
52	34.5	Dave Matthews Band	US	1990s–2020s
53	34	The Doors	US	1960s–1970s
54	33.5	Jay-Z	US	1990s–2010s
55	33.5	John Denver	US	1960s–1990s†
56	33.5	Phil Collins	UK	1970s–2020s
57	33	James Taylor	US	1960s–2020s
58	33	The Chicks	US	1980s–2020s
59	33	Usher	US	1990s–2020s
60	32	R. Kelly	US	1990s–2010s
61	31.5	Pearl Jam	US	1990s–2020s
62	31.5	Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers	US	1970s–2010s†
63	31.5	Willie Nelson	US	1950s–2020s
64	31	Boston	US	1970s–2010s
65	30.5	Beyoncé	US	2000s–2020s
66	30.5	Linkin Park	US	1990s–2010s
67	30	Creedence Clearwater Revival	US	1960s–1970s
68	30	Linda Ronstadt	US	1960s–2010s
69	29.75	Ozzy Osbourne	UK	1960s–2020s
70	29.5	Kanye West	US	2000s–2020s
71	28.5	Lynyrd Skynyrd	US	1960s–2020s
72	28	Adele	UK	2000s–2020s
73	28	Bee Gees	UK/Australia	1960s–2010s
74	28	Mannheim Steamroller	US	1970s–2010s
75	28	Michael Bolton	US	1980s–2020s
76	28	NSYNC	US	1990s–2020s
77	28	Nirvana	US	1980s–1990s†
78	27.5	Barry Manilow	US	1970s–2020s
79	27.5	Brooks & Dunn	US	1990s–2010s
80	27.5	John Mellencamp	US	1970s–2020s
81	27.5	Red Hot Chili Peppers	US	1980s–2020s
82	27	Boyz II Men	US	1990s–2020s
83	27	Frank Sinatra	US	1930s–1990s†
84	27	Luther Vandross	US	1960s–2000s†
85	26.5	Enya	Ireland	1980s–2010s
86	26.5	Steve Miller Band	US	1960s–2010s
87	26	Janet Jackson	US	1980s–2010s
88	26	Outkast	US	1990s–2010s
89	26	Rihanna	Barbados	2000s–2020s
90	26	Rush	Canada	1970s–2010s†
91	25.5	Faith Hill	US	1990s–2010s
92	25	Creed	US	1990s–2010s
93	25	Hootie & the Blowfish	US	1980s–2020s
94	25	Lil Wayne	US	1990s–2020s
95	25	Mötley Crüe	US	1980s–2010s
96	25	Toby Keith	US	1990s–2020s†
97	25	ZZ Top	US	1970s–2020s
98	24.5	REO Speedwagon	US	1970s–2010s
99	24.5	The Carpenters	US	1960s–1980s†
100	24	Green Day	US	1980s–2020s
101	24	Justin Bieber	Canada	2000s–2020s
102	24	Nickelback	Canada	1990s–2020s
103	24	Vince Gill	US	1970s–2010s

Music of the United States: List of Highest-Certified Music Artists in the United States

As of February 10, 2024, the list of the highest-certified music artists in the United States, based on certifications of albums and digital singles by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), is as follows:

• The Beatles have the highest number of total certified albums.
• Drake has the highest number of total certified digital singles.

Among the top 30 artists on these lists, Michael Jackson, Eminem, Taylor Swift, and Mariah Carey are the only acts to appear on both. It’s important to note that RIAA certifications are based on wholesale shipments, and awards are only presented upon application by the record company, so the total certified units for each artist may not be fully up-to-date or complete. Additionally, these certifications include on-demand audio/video streams and track sales equivalents since 2016.

Music of the United States: Roots

The United States is a melting pot of people from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, shaping its rich musical heritage.

• Native Americans: They use voice, drums, percussion, and flutes in their music. Powwows are popular, featuring singing and dancing, along with modern genres like rock and hip-hop.
• Hawaii: Influenced by Polynesian and European cultures, Hawaiian music features instruments like the guitar and ukulele. Hawaiian slack key guitar is a popular style.
• African Americans: Originating from the South, they brought forth genres like gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, soul, funk, and Zydeco, influencing rock and roll.
• Appalachian Music: Influenced by English, Celtic, and African-American music, Appalachian music includes old-time, bluegrass, gospel, and country. Instruments like the fiddle, banjo, and guitar are common.
• Texan Influences: Polish, German, Slovak, Czech, and Hungarian immigrants brought polkas and waltzes, blending with existing music. The accordion introduced new musical forms, heard in Tex-Mex conjunto and western swing.
• Cajun Music: Developed by Acadians in Louisiana.
• Eastern European Immigrants: Brought polkas and other dances to the industrial North.
• Recent Immigrants: From Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, they’ve introduced new beats and instruments like Indian classical, bhangra, and klezmer.
• Hispanic Influence: Hispanics from the Southwest and Texas developed tejano music, norteño, and corridos. Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Dominicans created New York salsa, blending various Caribbean styles.

Music of the United States: Top 50 Certified Music Artists (Digital Singles)

Here’s the list of artists with the top 50 highest-certified digital singles as of March 8, 2024:

Rank	Units (millions)	Name	Nat.	Active
1	244	Drake	Canada	2000s–2020s[25]
2	167	Eminem	US	1990s–2020s[16]
3	166.5	Rihanna	Barbados	2000s–2020s[59]
4	160.5	Kanye West	US	2000s–2020s[51]
5	137.5	Taylor Swift	US	2000s–2020s[14]
6	134	Post Malone	US	2010s–2020s[68]
7	122.5	Justin Bieber	Canada	2000s–2020s[64]
8	114.5	Beyoncé	US	2000s–2020s[69]
9	113	The Weeknd	Canada	2010s–2020s[70]
10	112	Katy Perry	US	2000s–2020s[71]
11	103.5	Imagine Dragons	US	2000s–2020s[72]
12	103.5	Morgan Wallen	US	2010s–2020s[73]
13	95	Ed Sheeran	UK	2000s–2020s[74]
14	95	Future	US	2000s–2020s[75]
15	94.5	Chris Brown	US	2000s–2020s[76]
16	92	Lil Wayne	US	1990s–2020s[23]
17	91.5	Bruno Mars	US	2000s–2020s[77]
18	90.5	Luke Combs	US	2010s–2020s[78]
19	87.5	Maroon 5	US	2000s–2020s[79]
20	84	Juice Wrld	US	2010s†[80]
21	82.5	Lady Gaga	US	2000s–2020s[14]
22	82.5	Usher	US	1990s–2020s
23	82	YoungBoy Never Broke Again	US	2010s–2020s[81]
24	81.5	Luke Bryan	US	2000s–2020s[23]
25	77.5	Ariana Grande	US	2010s–2020s[82]
26	77	J. Cole	US	2000s–2020s[83]
27	76	Lil Baby	US	2010s–2020s[84]
28	75.5	XXXTentacion	US	2010s†[85]
29	65.5	Michael Jackson	US	1970s–2000s†[86]
30	63	Mariah Carey	US	1990s–2020s[87]
31	62	SZA	US	2010s–2020s[88]
32	60	Miley Cyrus	US	2000s–2020s[23]
33	58	Britney Spears	US	1990s–2020s[34]
34	58	Cardi B	US	2010s–2020s[89]
35	57	Fall Out Boy	US	2000s–2020s[11]
36	54.5	Florida Georgia Line	US	2010s–2020s[90]
37	54.5	Panic! at the Disco	US	2000s–2020sd[91]
38	54	Khalid	US	2010s–2020s[92]
39	53	Chris Stapleton	US	2000s–2020s[93]
40	53	Twenty One Pilots	US	2010s–2020s[94]
41	52.5	Flo Rida	US	2000s–2020s[95]
42	52	A Boogie wit da Hoodie	US	2010s–2020s[96]
43	52	Blake Shelton	US	2000s–2020s[97]
44	52	Harry Styles	UK	2010s–2020s[98]
45	51	Sam Smith	UK	2000s–2020s[14]
46	50	Pitbull	US	2000s–2020s[99]
47	49.5	DJ Khaled	US	2000s–2020s[11]
48	49	Carrie Underwood	US	2000s–2020s[23]
49	49	Polo G	US	2010s–2020s[100]
50	48.5	Journey	US	1970s–2020s

Music of the United States: Genres

1. Alt-Country: Short for Alternative Country, blends elements of country music with various American roots genres like bluegrass, Americana, rock, rockabilly, and honky-tonk.
2. American Folk Music: Typically performed by singer-songwriters, incorporates elements of country, blues, bluegrass, pop, and rock into their music.
3. Americana: Americana is a broad term encompassing American roots music, sometimes referred to as “alternative country.” It includes bluegrass, folk, traditional country, blues, rock, and jazz. It emerged as a distinct genre in the 1990s, offering audiences a rawer sound compared to mainstream country music.
4. Bluegrass: Bluegrass is an acoustic genre characterized by fast-paced music blending old-time, blues, and jazz. Instruments like fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and upright bass are common. The International Bluegrass Music Association hosts an annual conference and awards ceremony, and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky, preserves the history of bluegrass music.
5. Bluegrass Books: Books like “Bill Monroe: The Life and Music of the Blue Grass Man” and “Foggy Mountain Troubadour” delve into the roots of bluegrass music, characterized by fast-paced acoustic music.
6. Blues: Originating in the Southern United States, blues music expresses feelings of melancholy and pain, with subgenres like Delta blues, Piedmont blues, and Chicago blues.
7. Boogaloo/Bugalú: Latin Soul genre originating in New York City’s Spanish Harlem in the 1960s, blending mambo and Latin jazz with African American R&B, soul, and doo-wop.
8. Chicken Scratch/Waila Music: Developed by the Tohono O’odham people in southwest Arizona, blending Southwestern, Mexican, and European influences with accordion-driven polkas and waltzes.
9. Country Music: Rooted in rural southern Appalachia, country music’s influences include old-time, bluegrass, gospel, folk, and Celtic music. It evolved into pop-influenced Nashville productions in the 1970s and 1980s.
10. Jazz: Developed by African Americans in the US, characterized by rhythm, blue notes, and improvisation. Jazz has evolved into various forms like bebop, cool jazz, fusion, Latin jazz, and smooth jazz, with influential musicians like Miles Davis and Duke Ellington.
11. Zydeco: Popular accordion-based music from southern Louisiana performed by Creoles of Color, blending traditional sounds with rhythm and blues elements.

Music of the United States: Education and Scholarship

• The academic study of music in the United States explores its connection to social class, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and sexuality, as well as delving into music history and musicology. This scholarly pursuit has roots dating back to the late 19th century, with researchers like Alice Fletcher and Francis La Flesche studying Omaha peoples’ music for institutions like the Bureau of American Ethnology and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.
• In the early 20th century, American music was often viewed through the lens of European classical traditions, with folk and traditional music considered low-class. However, scholars like Arthur Farwell questioned this approach, pondering the unique musical traditions emerging from American culture. John Tasker Howard’s “Our American Music” (1930) became a standard text, focusing on concert music composed in the United States.
• From the mid-20th century onwards, scholars like Charles Seeger emphasized the relationship between American music history and perceptions of race and ancestry. Gilbert Chase’s “America’s Music, from the Pilgrims to the Present” (1955) recognized folk traditions as culturally significant, shaping the dominant view among academics. However, until the 1960s and 1970s, most scholars focused on European music, with limited attention to American styles beyond classical and jazz.
• In recent decades, modern musicologists and ethnomusicologists have broadened their focus, studying national musical identity and the specific styles of different communities throughout American history. Notable studies include Charles Hamm’s “Music in the New World” (1983) and Richard Crawford’s “America’s Musical Life” (2001).

FAQs on Music of the United States

What is music like in the United States?

Some of the best-known genres of American music are rhythm and blues, jazz, rock and roll, rock, soul, hip hop, pop, and country. The history began with the Native Americans, the first people to populate North America.

What is USA country music?

Country music is an American musical style that incorporates elements of folk, bluegrass, blues, and rural dance music. Music historians trace its origins to the southern Appalachian Mountains in the late 1920s, particularly in eastern Tennessee and southwest Virginia.

What is original American music?

Country music is America’s oldest musical genre and is arguably its most diverse. Its roots lie in such disparate elements as English folk balladry, Mississippi Delta blues, Irish fiddle tunes, French/Cajun music, Vaudeville, Southern gospel, Mexican conjunto, German polkas and Victorian pop songs.

Why is American music so popular?

Some music experts contend that this popularity is related to the consistent development of new sounds and genres in the United States. A more popular reason is the wealth of America and capitalism.

What is America’s favorite music?

What is America’s favorite music? Chart: America’s Favorite Music Genres | Statista The most popular genre in the U.S. is rock and indie music, with 45 percent of respondents who listen to the radio or digital music content saying that they listen to it. Country music and pop music also score highly, listened to by 42 percent and 40 percent of respondents, respectively.