List of highest-certified music artists in Germany explained

This list includes music artists with at least five million record sales in Germany, based on certifications by the BVMI (Bundesverband Musikindustrie).[1] Artists are ranked in descending order.

Awards are only presented if and when a record company applies for certification, it is not done automatically. Only records that were declared to and registered by the BVMI receive awards. The BVMI began its certifications in 1975, therefore popular artists from earlier eras are generally not represented on this list. This excludes artists such as Heintje Simons, Peter Alexander, Freddy Quinn, Caterina Valente, or the Rolling Stones, and may explain the lower-than-expected sales figures for pre-1975 artists like The Beatles. Certifications are based on a record's release date.[2]

Video albums have been included since 1991 and streaming since 2016.[3] Until 5 April 2018, a unit was equal to 1000 streams for albums and 100 streams for singles. Those numbers were raised to 2000 streams for albums and 200 streams for singles on 6 April of that year.[4]

Artists by certified units

13 million records or more

Name Certification period Certified units
1984–2018 18,075,000
1979–2018 14,350,000
1981–2011 14,300,000
1983–2023 14,125,000
1989–2012 13,975,000
1989–2018 13,650,000
2012–2022 13,350,000

11 to 12.9 million records

Name Certification period Certified units
1978–2018 12,625,000
1985–2012 12,550,000
2007–2023 12,275,000
1981–2017 12,075,000
2007–2018 11,150,000

9 to 10.9 million records

Name Certification period Certified units
1980–2016 10,600,000
2000–2018
1976–2008 10,550,000
2002–2017 9,600,000
1982–2004 9,550,000
1993–2017 9,525,000

7 to 8.9 million records

Name Certification period Certified units
1987–2012 8,650,000
2000–2024 8,550,000[5]
1996–2003 8,000,000
1988–2012 7,850,000
1983–2014 7,825,000
2010–2018 7,800,000
1999–2023 7,700,000
1993–2007 7,600,000
1977–2015 7,500,000

6 to 6.9 million records

Name Certification period Certified units
1978–2005 6,675,000
2000–2018 6,625,000
2002–2023 6,525,000
1996–2003 6,500,000
1985–2017 6,400,000
1985–2012 6,400,000
1985–2009 6,300,000
1986-2023 6,200,000
1977–2011 6,100,000
1994–2017 6,075,000
1986–2014 6,050,000
1985–2017
1996–1999 6,000,000

5 to 5.9 million records

Name Certification period Certified units
1988–2013 5,950,000
1982–2013 5,900,000
1978–2008 5,875,000
2002–2017
2001–2017 5,850,000
1986–2018
1985–2003 5,700,000
1998–2016 5,625,000
1990–2012
1986–2012 5,600,000
2003–2024 5,510,000
1986–2013 5,350,000
1976–1999 5,250,000
2012–2018 5,200,000
2000–2018
2010–2017
1987–2013 5,150,000

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BVMI data bank. musikindustrie.de. 22 May 2018.
  2. Web site: BVMI limits. musikindustrie.de. 22 May 2018.
  3. Web site: Meilenstein der Chartgeschichte: Streaming wird in offizielle deutsche Album-Charts integriert (English: Chart history milestone: streaming gets integrated in the official German album charts). musikindustrie.de. 22 May 2018. 1 February 2016.
  4. Web site: BVMI rules. musikindustrie.de. 22 May 2018.
  5. Web site: BVMI: Gold-/Platin-Datenbank . April 13, 2024 . Bundesverband Musikindustrie.