In the 2000s, rap god Eminem was unstoppable.
His raw, explosive lyrics and personal struggles resonated deeply with millions.
The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show both shattered sales records.
From 2000-2009, Eminem was the highest selling musical artist on the planet.
But can you guess who came in at #2 during that same decade?
Here’s a hint: this band broke up over four decades before the 2000s.
Still stumped?
Buckle up, because the answer will blow your mind.
The Unexpected #2
The second highest selling artist of the 2000s…was none other than The Beatles.
Yes, you read that right.
The legendary rock group that called it quits in 1970 amazingly sold more albums than anyone else in the 2000s except Eminem.
How is that even possible?
The answer lies in the music industry’s brilliant repackaging of The Beatles’ catalog.
A Brilliant Repackaging Strategy
In the 2000s, The Beatles’ music was revamped and re-released in boxes sets, newly remastered versions, and collections galore.
Music fans hungered for the group’s iconic sound in fresh packaging.
The gamble paid off in spectacular fashion for the record label.
Newly remastered albums like The Beatles 1 sold over 30 million copies alone.
The growth of music streaming in the late 2000s also led to a resurgence in Beatlemania as new generations discovered the Fab Four’s revolutionary tunes.
The Legacy Continues
While new artists topped the charts in the 2000s, The Beatles’ staying power proved unstoppable.
Their music transcended generations, geography, and changing music formats.
Young and old alike grooved to beloved classics like “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” and “Come Together.”
The Beatle’s mind-blowing success a full 30+ years after they disbanded is a testament to their lasting cultural impact and imperishable musical genius.
In fact, their catalog likely would have topped Eminem’s in the 2000s if not for a little thing called…illegally downloading music.
File sharing and music piracy took a big bite out of potential sales at the time for The Beatles and all major artists.
A New Chart Topper This Decade?
As we approach the halfway point of the 2020s, could a new unexpected artist emerge as the decade’s biggest album seller?
Only time will tell.
But one thing is certain – if any group has the enduring, multi-generational appeal to pull off such a feat…it’s probably The Beatles.
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Let your friends, family, and followers in on this wild musical trivia.
See how many people you can stump with the question: “Who was the #2 top-selling artist of the 2000s?”
Then relish in revealing the jaw-dropping answer about The Beatles’ unexpected chart dominance.
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