The following is a list of the best-selling female rappers of all time, based on sales of albums and singles. As of 2016, traditional sales have been combined with streaming and digital downloads, making up album-equivalent units.
Best-selling female rappers worldwide
Artist Country of originYear of first recording certificationSingles Studio albums Total certified units (from available markets) Reported sales Nicki Minaj Trinidad & Tobago2009136 5 120 million Lil' Kim United States1996 36 5 45 millionDoja CatUnited States202049534 million Missy Elliott United States199774 6 30 million Lauryn Hill United States199820 1 20 millionCardi BUnited States 2017 45216.925 million
Best-selling albums from female rappers worldwide Album Artist Sales 1998 The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Lauryn Hill 20 millionWorldwide sales figures for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as of 2023.
2018 Invasion of Privacy Cardi B 7.1 millionWorldwide sales figures for Invasion of Privacy as of August, 2025. 1993Very NecessarySalt-N-Pepa7 millionWorldwide sales figures for Very Necessary as of 2020 1999 Da Real World Missy Elliott 6 millionWorldwide sales figures for Under Construction as of 2019. 1996 Hard Core Lil' Kim 6 millionWorldwide sales figures for Hard Core as of 2016. 2000 The Notorious K.I.M. Lil' Kim 5.1 millionWorldwide sales figures for The Notorious K.I.M as of 2016. 1996Ill Na NaFoxy Brown5 million2021Planet HerDoja Cat4.6 millionWorldwide sales figures for Planet Her as of 2022. 2012 Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Nicki Minaj 4 millionWorldwide sales figures for Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded as of 2024. 2010 Pink Friday Nicki Minaj 3.8 millionWorldwide sales figures for Pink Friday as of 2012. 2014The New ClassicIggy Azalea3 million
Best-selling singles from female rappers worldwide Sales based on claimed certifications by the RIAA in the United States.
ArtistSingleReleasedCertified sales(in millions)Source Cardi B "Bodak Yellow" 2017 13 Nicki Minaj "Super Bass" 2011 12 Cardi B featuring J Balvin & Bad Bunny "I Like It" 2018 11 Nicki Minaj "Starships" 2012 10 Jessie J featuring Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj "Bang Bang" 2014 10 Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B "Girls Like You" 2017 10 Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX "Fancy" 2014 9 Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea "Problem" 2014 8 Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion "WAP" 2020 8 G-Eazy feat. A$AP Rocky & Cardi B "No Limit" 2017 7 Lizzo "Truth Hurts" 2017 7 Doja Cat "Say So" 2020 6 Migos feat. Nicki Minaj & Cardi B "Motorsport" 2017 6 Ariana Grande feat. Nicki Minaj "Side to Side" 2016 6 Iggy Azalea featuring Rita Ora "Black Widow" 2014 5 Yo Gotti featuring Nicki Minaj "Rake It Up" 2017 5 Ciara featuring Missy Elliott "1, 2 Step" 2004 5 Big Sean featuring Nicki Minaj "Dance (A$$)" 2011 5 Doja Cat "Streets" 2019 5 Doja Cat featuring SZA "Kiss Me More" 2021 5 Lizzo "Good As Hell" 2016 5
See also List of best-selling girl groups List of best-selling albums by women
References