List of best-selling Latin albums

Home Page | List of best-selling Latin albums

Latin music has an ambiguous meaning in the music industry due to differing definitions of the term "Latin". For example, the Latin music market in the United States defines Latin music as any release that is mostly sung in Spanish, regardless of genre or artist nationality, by industry organizations including the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Billboard. International organizations and trade groups such as the Latin Recording Academy include Portuguese-language music in the Latin category.

Music journalists and musicologists define Latin music as musical styles from Spanish-speaking areas of Latin America and from Spain. Music from Brazil is usually included in the genre and music from Portugal is occasionally included.

As a result of the conflicting views of defining Latin music, the list includes Latin albums defined either by language for vocal albums or genre for instrumental albums. Therefore, for an album to appear on the list, the figure must have been published by a reliable source, the album must have sold at least 2 million copies with at least 600,000 certified units (the equivalent of a Latin diamond certification by the RIAA) and must either a) have at least 51% of its content in Spanish or Portuguese or b) is a Latin instrumental album (or any of its subgenres). This information cannot be listed officially, as there is no organization that has recorded global Latin music sales. This list can contain any types of album, including studio albums, extended plays, greatest hits, compilations, various artists, soundtracks and remixes. The figures given do not take into account the resale of used albums. For albums recorded in multiple languages, only the Spanish/Portuguese version(s) will be counted towards the certified sales.

Certified copies are sourced either from available online databases of local music industry associations or a country with an established certifying authority (see List of music recording certifications). Online certifications in Latin America are not extensive and only date back to a certain time period. For example, the Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas (AMPROFON), the certifying authority in Mexico, only has certifications dating back to 1999 on its online database. Certifications from countries without online databases may be used if it has a certifying authority. In the case of sales of Latin albums in the US, primarily those released before the 1990s, certifications were awarded by the artists own record label rather than the RIAA with a lower threshold, a practice that was widely criticized by Latin label executives due to sales not being audited by an outside party. In a 1989 article for Billboard, Carlos Agudelo cited the insularity of the Latin music market in the US for the lack of reliable sales numbers reported to the RIAA. Therefore, only certifications listed on the RIAA database may be used for US certifications.

With estimated sales of 12 million copies worldwide, Spanish singer Julio Iglesias's Momentos (1982) is highest-selling Latin album on the list. Mexican singer Luis Miguel currently has the highest number of albums on the list with 14, while Colombian songstress Shakira has the most by a female artist with four.


Legend

Colors
Studio albums
Greatest hits and compilations
Live albums

Best-selling Latin albums

*All sales figures are shown in millions

Artist Album Released Genre Language(s) Total certified copies
(from available markets)* 		Reported sales* Ref(s)
Julio Iglesias Momentos 1982 Latin pop
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • French
  • English
4.83
  • US (Latin): 200,000
  • JPN: 600,000
  • UK: 100,000
  • BRA: 2 million
  • SPA: 600,000
  • MEX: 500,000
  • ARG: 420,000
  • DEN: 80,000
  • FIN: 60,436
  • COL: 60,000
  • CAN: 50,000
  • NLD: 50,000
  • SWE: 50,000
  • AUT: 25,000
  • POR: 20,000
  • CHI: 15,000
 12
Luis Miguel Romance 1991 Bolero Spanish
4.604
  • US: 1 million
  • BRA: 100,000
  • MEX: 2 million
  • SPA: 200,000
  • ARG: 960,000
  • VEN: 100,000
  • COL: 60,000
  • CHI: 100,000
  • PER: 60,000
  • URU: 24,000
 8
Buena Vista Social Club Buena Vista Social Club 1997 Cuban Spanish
3.22
  • US: 1 million
  • JPN: 100,000
  • UK: 300,000
  • GER: 750,000
  • FRA: 100,000
  • CAN: 100,000
  • AUS: 70,000
  • BRA: 100,000
  • NLD: 200,000
  • SWE 40,000
  • BEL: 150,000
  • ARG: 60,000
  • SWI: 150,000
  • AUT: 100,000
 8
Alejandro Sanz Más 1997 Flamenco pop Spanish
4.312
  • US (Latin): 600,000
  • BRA: 100,000
  • CHI: 80,000
  • COL: 120,000
  • ECU: 30,000
  • PAR: 30,000
  • PER: 30,000
  • SPA: 2.2 million
  • MEX: 750,000
  • ARG: 300,000
  • URU: 12,000
  • VEN: 60,000
 6
Ricky Martin Vuelve 1998
  • Latin dance
  • Pop ballads
 Spanish
2.721
  • US: 1 million
  • FRA: 100,000
  • CAN: 200,000
  • AUS: 140,000
  • MEX: 200,000
  • SWE: 80,000
  • SPA: 600,000
  • ARG: 180,000
  • NOR: 25,000
  • POL: 50,000
  • SWI: 50,000
  • FIN: 10,000
  • URU: 6,000
 6
Gloria Estefan Mi Tierra 1993 Cuban Spanish
3.595
  • US (Latin): 1.6 million
  • NLD: 100,000
  • SPA: 1 million
  • MEX: 750,000
  • ARG: 120,000
  • SWI: 25,000
 5.2
Selena Dreaming of You 1995
  • American pop
  • Latin music
 Spanish  • English
3.69
  • US (Latin): 3.54 million
  • CAN: 50,000
  • MEX: 100,000
 5
Maná ¿Dónde Jugarán los Niños? 1992 Latin pop/rock Spanish
3.42
  • US (Latin): 1.2 million
  • SPA: 100,000
  • MEX: 2 million
  • ARG: 120,000
 5
Shakira Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 2005 Latin pop Spanish
2.665
  • US (Latin): 1.1 million
  • GER: 300,000
  • FRA: 100,000
  • SPA: 300,000
  • MEX: 300,000
  • ARG: 120,000
  • BEL: 25,000
  • SWI: 40,000
  • AUT: 30,000
  • GRE: 10,000
  • HUN: 10,000
  • POR: 10,000
  • RUS: 20,000
 5
Juan Luis Guerra Bachata Rosa 1990
  • Bachata
  • Merengue
  • Salsa
 Spanish
1.55
  • US (Latin): 100,000
  • SPA: 700,000
  • MEX: 600,000
  • BRA: 100,000
  • NLD: 50,000
 5
Luis Miguel Romances 1997 Bolero Spanish
4.465
  • US: 1 million
  • BRA: 100,000
  • MEX: 1.2 million
  • SPA: 900,000
  • ARG: 660,000
  • COL: 120,000
  • VEN: 120,000
  • CHI: 200,000
  • CEN: 100,000
  • PAR: 20,000
  • BOL: 20,000
  • ECU: 15,000
  • PER: 10,000
 4.5
Luis Miguel Segundo Romance 1994 Bolero Spanish
3.753
  • US: 1 million
  • BRA: 100,000
  • MEX: 1.25 million
  • SPA: 200,000
  • ARG: 660,000
  • COL: 120,000
  • VEN: 200,000
  • CHI: 165,000
  • PER: 40,000
  • URU: 18,000
 4.5
Santana Abraxas 1970 Latin rock
  • Instrumental
  • English
  • Spanish
5.7
  • US: 5 million
  • UK: 100,000
  • FRA: 300,000
  • CAN: 300,000
 4
Enrique Iglesias Enrique Iglesias 1995
  • Pop
  • Power ballads
 Spanish
2.6
  • US: 1 million
  • SPA: 400,000
  • MEX: 1 million
  • ARG: 60,000
  • BRA: 100,000
  • POR: 40,000
 4
Julio Iglesias Tango 1996 Tango Spanish
2.185
  • US (Latin): 600,000
  • UK: 60,000
  • FRA: 300,000
  • CAN: 50,000
  • AUS: 70,000
  • NLD: 100,000
  • ITA: 100,000
  • SPA: 600,000
  • SWE: 40,000
  • SWI: 25,000
  • ARG: 240,000
 4
Shakira Sale el Sol 2010
  • Latin pop
  • merengue
  • rock
  • world
  • Spanish
  • English
2.13
  • US (Latin): 600,000
  • GER: 200,000
  • FRA: 500,000
  • BRA: 160,000
  • ITA: 120,000
  • SPA: 120,000
  • SWE: 60,000
  • SWI: 60,000
  • MEX: 210,000
  • BEL: 30,000
  • AUT: 20,000
  • POL: 40,000
  • RUS: 10,000
 4
Shakira Pies Descalzos 1995
  • Pop rock
  • Latin rock
 Spanish
2.09
  • US: 1 million
  • BRA: 250,000
  • SPA: 100,000
  • MEX: 500,000
  • ARG: 240,000
 4
Juanes Mi Sangre 2004 Latin rock Spanish
2.076
  • US (Latin): 1.2 million
  • GER: 300,000
  • NLD: 40,000
  • SWE 30,000
  • SWI: 40,000
  • MEX: 200,000
  • ARG: 80,000
  • BEL: 100,000
  • AUT: 15,000
  • FIN: 51,811
  • GRE: 10,000
  • HUN: 10,000
 4
Shakira Dónde Están los Ladrones? 1998
  • Pop
  • Rock en Español
 Spanish
1.852
  • US: 1 million
  • SPA: 100,000
  • MEX: 500,000
  • ARG: 240,000
  • URU: 12,000
 4
Charlie Zaa Sentimientos 1996 Bolero Spanish
1.85
  • US: 1 million
  • MEX: 850,000
 4
Kaoma Worldbeat 1989 Lambada
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
  • English
1.375
  • US: 500,000
  • JPN: 200,000
  • FRA: 200,000
  • CAN: 50,000
  • BRA: 250,000
  • NLD: 50,000
  • SPA: 100,000
  • SWI: 25,000
 4
Julio Iglesias Hey! 1980 Latin ballad Spanish
1.05
  • US : 500,000
  • NLD: 50,000
  • SPA: 500,000
4
Carlos Vives Clásicos de la Provincia 1993 Vallenato Spanish
0.62
  • US (Latin): 30,000
  • MEX: 200,000
  • SPA: 300,000
  • CHI: 50,000
  • COL: 40,000
 4
Luis Miguel Amarte es un Placer 1999 Pop Spanish
2.35
  • US: 500,000
  • SPA: 700,000
  • MEX: 750,000
  • ARG: 300,000
  • CHI: 100,000
 3.5
Maná Sueños Liquidos 1997 Latin pop/rock Spanish
2.32
  • US: 1 million
  • MEX: 1.2 million
  • ARG: 120,000
 3.5
Xuxa Xou da Xuxa 3 1988
  • Pop, Children's music
 Portuguese
3
  • BRA: 3 million
 3.2
Marcelo Rossi Músicas para Louvar ao Senhor 1997 Christian Portuguese
3
  • BRA: 3 million
 3.3
Maná MTV Unplugged 1999 Pop rock Spanish
2.22
  • US: 500,000
  • SPA: 400,000
  • MEX: 900,000
  • ARG: 420,000
 3
Paulina Rubio Paulina 2000
  • Latin pop
  • Dance-club
  • Ballads
 Spanish
1.842
  • US (Latin): 800,000
  • ARG: 30,000
  • CHI: 20,000
  • ECU: 7,500
  • PER: 5,000
  • SPA: 300,000
  • MEX: 600,000
  • VEN: 50,000
 3
Ricky Martin A Medio Vivir 1995 Latin Spanish
1.804
  • US: 500,000
  • FRA: 300,000
  • SWE: 60,000
  • SWI: 25,000
  • MEX: 500,000
  • ARG: 360,000
  • BEL: 30,000
  • FIN: 29,363
 3
Luis Miguel Aries 1993
  • Dance-pop
  • Ballads
 Spanish
1.678
  • MEX: 1 million
  • SPA: 100,000
  • ARG: 500,000
  • COL: 60,000
  • URU: 18,000
 3
Manu Chao Próxima Estación: Esperanza 2001 Latin
  • Arabic
  • English
  • French
  • Galician
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish
  • various
1.675
  • US (Latin): 100,000
  • UK: 60,000
  • FRA: 900,000
  • CAN: 50,000
  • NLD: 40,000
  • ITA: 100,000
  • SPA: 200,000
  • SWI: 120,000
  • ARG: 40,000
  • BEL: 50,000
  • GRE: 15,000
 3
Luis Miguel Busca una Mujer 1988 Latin pop Spanish
1.34
  • MEX: 1 million
  • ARG: 240,000
  • SPA: 100,000
3
Enrique Iglesias Vivir 1997
  • Latin pop
  • Dance-pop
  • Adult ballads
 Spanish
2.25
  • US: 1 million
  • MEX: 1 million
  • BRA: 50,000
  • SPA: 200,000
 3
Luis Miguel Nada Es Igual... 1996
  • Pop
  • R&B
 Spanish
1.245
  • US: 500,000
  • SPA: 200,000
  • ARG: 420,000
  • CHI: 125,000
 3
Julio Iglesias Libra 1985
  • Adult contemporary
  • Latin Pop
  • Spanish
  • English
  • Portuguese
0.7
  • US (Latin): 600,000
  • SPA: 100,000
 3
Julio Iglesias Un hombre solo 1987 Latin pop Spanish
0.64
  • SPA: 400,000
  • ARG: 240,000
 3
Xuxa 4º Xou da Xuxa 1989
  • Pop, Children's music
 Portuguese
2
  • BRA: 2 million
 2.9
Só Pra Contrariar Só Pra Contrariar [pt] 1997
  • Samba
  • MPB
 Portuguese
3
  • BRA: 3 million
 2.9
Sandy & Junior As Quatro Estações [pt] 1999 teen pop Portuguese
2
  • BRA: 2 million
 2.8
Sandy & Junior Quatro Estações: O Show [pt] 2000 teen pop Portuguese
1
  • BRA: 1 million
 2.7
Xuxa Xegundo Xou da Xuxa 1987
  • Pop, Children's music
 Portuguese
2
  • BRA: 2 million
 2.7
Xuxa Xou da Xuxa 1987
  • Pop, Children's music
 Portuguese
2
  • BRA: 2 million
 2.6
Leandro e Leonardo Um Sonhador [pt] 1998 Musica sertaneja Portuguese
1
  • BRA: 1 million
 2.7
Las Ketchup Hijas del Tomate 2002
  • Latin Pop
  • Rumba flamenca
 Spanish
0.955
  • US (Latin): 400,000
  • FRA: 100,000
  • SPA: 100,000
  • SWE: 30,000
  • SWI: 20,000
  • MEX: 150,000
  • FIN: 60,000
  • POR: 80,000
  • GRE: 15,000
 2.6
Selena Amor Prohibido 1994 Tejano cumbia Spanish
2.76
  • US (Latin): 2.46 million
  • MEX: 300,000
 2.5
Linda Ronstadt Canciones de Mi Padre 1987 Mariachi Spanish
2
  • US: 2 million
 2.5
Chayanne Atado a Tu Amor 1998
  • Soft rock
  • Dance
 Spanish
1.874
  • US: 500,000
  • CHI: 80,000
  • SPA: 700,000
  • MEX: 250,000
  • ARG: 300,000
  • URU: 24,000
 2.5
Luis Miguel Mis Romances 2001 Bolero Spanish
1.43
  • US (Latin): 400,000
  • BRA: 50,000
  • SPA: 300,000
  • MEX: 600,000
  • ARG: 80,000
 2.5
Alejandro Sanz 3 1995 Latin pop Spanish
1.08
  • SPA: 800,000
  • MEX: 100,000
  • ARG: 180,000
 2.5
Enrique Iglesias Quizás 2002 Latin pop Spanish
0.62
  • SPA: 100,000
  • US: 500,0000
  • ARG: 20,000
 2.5
Mamonas Assassinas Mamonas Assassinas 1995 Comedy rock Portuguese
1
  • BRA: 1 million
 2.46
Terra Samba [pt] Terra Samba ao Vivo e a Cores [pt] 1998
  • Samba
  • Pagode
 Portuguese
2
  • BRA: 2 million
 2.45
Alejandro Sanz El Alma al Aire 2000 Latin pop Spanish
2.055
  • US (Latin): 200,000
  • SPA: 1.3 million
  • MEX: 375,000
  • ARG: 180,000
 2.4
Gloria Estefan Abriendo Puertas 1995
  • Salsa
  • Merengue
  • Bolero
  • Afro-Cuban
 Spanish
1.31
  • US (Latin): 600,000
  • NLD: 50,000
  • SPA: 600,000
  • ARG: 60,000
 2.3
Alejandro Fernández Me Estoy Enamorando 1997
  • Bolero
  • Ranchera
  • pop
 Spanish
1.86
  • US: 1 million
  • MEX: 750,000
  • SPA: 50,000
  • ARG: 60,000
 2.2
Mecano Descanso Dominical 1988 Synth-pop Spanish
1.125
  • SPA: 1.1 million
  • SWI: 25,000
 2.2
Christina Aguilera Mi Reflejo 2000
  • Latin pop
  • world
  • R&B
 Spanish
1.06
  • US (Latin): 600,000
  • SPA: 100,000
  • MEX: 300,000
  • ARG: 60,000
 2.2
Maná Amar es Combatir 2006 Rock en español Spanish
1.145
  • US: 500,000
  • BRA: 30,000
  • SPA: 240,000
  • SWI: 15,000
  • MEX: 200,000
  • ARG: 160,000
 2.1
Marco Antonio Solís Trozos de Mi Alma 1999 Latin pop Spanish
2.06
  • US: 1 million
  • MEX: 1 million
  • ARG: 60,000
 2
Gipsy Kings Gipsy Kings 1987 Pop music-Flamenco Spanish
1.885
  • US: 1 million
  • JPN: 100,000
  • UK: 100,000
  • FRA: 300,000
  • CAN: 200,000
  • AUS: 140,000
  • SWI: 25,000
  • POR: 20,000
 2
David Bisbal Corazón latino 2002
  • Latin pop
  • Romantic ballad
 Spanish
1.7
  • US (Latin): 100,000
  • SPA: 1.3 million
  • MEX: 300,000
 2
Bad Bunny YHLQMDLG 2020 Latin trap • reggaeton • alternative reggaetonpop • hip-hop • R&B Spanish
1.585
  • US (Latin): 1.44 million
  • SPA: 120,000
  • ITA: 25,000
 2
Julio Iglesias La Carretera 1995 Latin pop Spanish
1.51
  • FRA: 100,000
  • BRA: 200,000
  • SPA: 600,000
  • MEX: 100,000
  • ARG: 360,000
  • NLD: 50,000
  • CHI: 50,000
  • COL: 30,000
  • POR: 20,000
 2
Luis Miguel 20 Años 1990 Ballads Spanish
1.5
  • MEX: 1 million
  • SPA: 200,000
  • ARG: 300,000
 2
La Oreja de Van Gogh El viaje de Copperpot 2000 Pop Spanish
1.5
  • US (Latin): 100,000
  • SPA: 1.1 million
  • MEX: 300,000
 2
Ottmar Liebert Nouveau Flamenco 1990 Nouveau flamenco Instrumental
1.5
  • US (Latin): 1.4 million
  • CAN: 100,000
 2
Elvis Crespo Suavemente 1998 Merengue Spanish
1.482
  • US: 1 million
  • MEX: 350,000
  • ARG: 120,000
  • URU: 12,000
 2
Luis Miguel Soy Como Quiero Ser 1987 Latin pop Spanish
1.48
  • MEX: 1.25 million
  • SPA: 50,000
  • ARG: 180,000
 2
Luis Miguel México en la Piel 2004 Mariachi Spanish
1.46
  • US (Latin): 400,000
  • SPA: 100,000
  • MEX: 800,000
  • ARG: 80,000
  • COL: 20,000
  • VEN: 40,000
  • CHI: 20,000
 2
Laura Pausini Laura Pausini 1994 Pop Spanish
1.425
  • SPA: 1.1 million
  • ARG: 240,000
  • COL: 60,000
  • CHI: 25,000
 2
Ricardo Arjona Historias 1994 Ballads Spanish
1.39
  • US: 400,000 (Latin)
  • MEX: 750,000
  • ARG: 240,000
 2
Rosana Arbelo Lunas Rotas 1996
  • Rumba flamenca
  • Bossa nova
 Spanish
1.34
  • SPA: 1.1 million
  • ARG: 240,000
 2
Luis Miguel El Concierto 1995
  • Pop
  • Bolero
  • Ranchera
 Spanish
1.29
  • US: 500,000
  • MEX: 500,000
  • SPA: 50,000
  • ARG: 240,000
 2
Ricky Martin MTV Unplugged 2006 Pop Spanish
1.27
  • US (Latin): 200,000
  • MEX: 950,000
  • ARG: 80,000
  • SPA: 40,000
 2
Juanes Un Dia Normal 2002 Latin Rock Spanish
1.285
  • US (Latin): 600,000
  • SPA: 200,000
  • MEX: 225,000
  • ARG: 40,000
  • POR: 20,000
 2
Tribalistas Tribalistas 2002 Brazilian Portuguese
1.25
  • BRA: 1 million
  • SPA: 50,000
  • ARG: 40,000
  • POR: 160,000
 2
Alejandro Sanz No Es lo Mismo 2003 Pop ballads Spanish
1.22
  • US (Latin): 100,000
  • SPA: 800,000
  • MEX: 200,000
  • ARG: 120,000
 2
RBD Rebelde 2004 teen pop Spanish
1.2
  • US (Latin): 400,000
  • SPA: 200,000
  • MEX: 550,000
  • BRA: 50,000
 2
Luis Miguel Vivo 2000
  • Pop
  • Bolero
  • Ranchera
 Spanish
1.145
  • US (Latin): 200,000
  • SPA: 300,000
  • MEX: 525,000
  • ARG: 120,000
 2
Daddy Yankee Barrio Fino 2004 Reggaeton Spanish
1.14
  • US: 1 million
  • MEX: 100,000
  • ARG: 40,000
 2
Alejandro Sanz Viviendo Deprisa 1991 Latin pop Spanish
1.13
  • SPA: 900,000
  • MEX: 200,000
  • ARG: 30,000
 2
Marco Antonio Solís Más de Mi Alma 2001
  • Latin folk
  • Pop
 Spanish
1.12
  • US: 500,000
  • SPA: 20,000
  • MEX: 300,000
  • ARG: 300,000
 2
Mónica Naranjo Palabra De Mujer 1997
  • Pop ballads
  • Dance music
 Spanish
1.1
  • US (Latin): 100,000
  • SPA: 1 million
 2
Julio Iglesias Calor 1992
  • Adult Contemporary
  • Latin Pop
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
1.025
  • BRA: 250,000
  • ITA: 50,000
  • SPA: 500,000
  • ARG: 120,000
  • COL: 30,000
  • NLD: 50,000
  • CHI: 25,000
 2
Daniela Mercury O Canto da Cidade 1992 Axé Portuguese
1
  • BRA: 1 million
 2
Thalía Arrasando 2000 Dance music Spanish
0.983
  • US (Latin): 200,000
  • CHI: 15,000
  • COL: 15,000
  • GRE: 15,000
  • PER: 10,000
  • PHI: 40,000
  • SLO: 15,000
  • SPA: 400,000
  • MEX: 150,000
  • ARG: 60,000
  • URU: 3,000
  • VEN: 100,000
 2
Luis Miguel 33 2003 Pop Spanish
0.98
  • US (Latin): 200,000
  • SPA: 200,000
  • MEX: 500,000
  • ARG: 80,000
 2
Miguel Bosé Papito 2007 Latin pop Spanish
0.92
  • US (Latin): 100,000
  • SPA: 400,000
  • MEX: 400,000
  • ARG: 20,000
 2
Enrique Iglesias Cosas del Amor 1998 Power ballads Spanish
0.762
  • US: 500,000
  • MEX: 250,000
  • URU: 12,000
 2
Thalía En éxtasis 1995 Pop music Spanish
0.678
  • US (Latin): 200,000
  • ARG: 120,000
  • BRA: 100,000
  • CHI: 15,000
  • MEX: 200,000
  • PHI: 40,000
  • URU: 3,000
 2
Thalía Amor a la mexicana 1997
  • Latin dance
  • Pop music
 Spanish
0.675
  • US (Latin): 200,000
  • CHI: 15,000
  • PHI: 40,000
  • SPA: 200,000
  • MEX: 100,000
  • ARG: 120,000
 2
Ricky Martin Almas del Silencio 2003
  • Flamenco
  • Vallenato
  • Latin ballad
 Spanish
0.615
  • US (Latin): 400,000
  • SPA: 100,000
  • MEX: 75,000
  • ARG: 40,000
 2

See also

wikipedia, wiki, encyclopedia, book, library, article, read, free download, Information about List of best-selling Latin albums, What is List of best-selling Latin albums? What does List of best-selling Latin albums mean?

Home Page | Go up