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Best Selling 90s R&B Albums

by R&B Guru

While the other top 10 categories are based purely on opinion, there is no challenging this list. These numbers are based on information from the RIAA.

  • 1. Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard Soundtrack (Arista, 1992) - 17X platinum

    Yes, strange as it may sound, the number one selling R&B album was a soundtrack. Arranged by Babyface, a great portion of the album is sung by Whitney Houston. The album was released in 1992 in the heart of Whitney Houston and Babyface prime. While it may be a surprise to see a soundtrack at number one, the songs on this album include the megahits "I Will Always Love You," "I Have Nothing," and "Run to You" amongst others.

  • 2. Boyz II Men - II (Motown, 1994) - 12X platinum

    While it can be debated whether or not II was Boyz II Men's best album in quality, it was certainly their biggest commercial success. With the hard hitting track "I'll Make Love to You" that broke the chart records and the similarly successful "On Bended Knees," it comes as no surprise this album topped the charts for so long.

  • 3. TLC - CrazySexyCool (LaFace, 1994) - 11X platinum

    CrazySexyCool marked the maturing of the group TLC as they came out with their sophomore albums gun blazing. The group offered an interesting mix combining their singing with rap that gave the songs a light feel while also offering deeper messages. The album's massive success was helped by the hit single "Waterfalls."

  • 4. Mariah Carey - Music Box (Columbia, 1993) - 10X platinum

    Mariah Carey had the perfect combination of good looks and an amazing voice. Her voice shined through on Music Box with two #1 hits - "Dreamlover" and "Hero." The album was a massive success worldwide, reaching high marks on charts including Canada, the UK, and Korea. The album was solid for its sheer density of strongly woven ballads.

  • 5. Mariah Carey - Daydream (Columbia, 1995) - 10X platinum

    Coming back with more packed ballads that make one's heart "Melt Away," Mariah Carey finds herself in the fourth spot on the list. Packing in three stellar number 1 hits - "Fantasy," "One Sweet Day," and "Always Be My Baby," Mariah Carey stood as queen over the charts. "One Sweet Day" set a new record, sitting at number one on the charts for an astounding 16 weeks.

  • 6. Mariah Carey - Mariah Carey (Columbia, 1990) - 9X platinum

    Yes, here again we have Mariah Carey. Holding three spots in a row in the top ten albums of the 90s are this diva. Last but not least is her debut album that burst on the scenes in 1990. The album had four #1 hits with "Vision of Love," "Love Takes Time," "Someday," and "I Don't Wanna Cry." It kicked off Mariah Carey's career and showed that this diva means business.

  • 7. Boyz II Men - Cooleyhighharmony (Motown, 1991) - 9X platinum

    In much the same way Mariah Carey's self-titled album launched her career, Cooleyhighharmony set up Boyz II Men to be the male R&B group of the 90s. The album offered a nice blend of uptempo tracks like "Motown Philly" with smooth slow jams like the (later added) chart topper "End of the Road." It also contained acapella tracks "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye" and "Please Don't Go" that showed the group had an amazing vocal arsenal at their disposal.

  • 8. Destiny's Child - The Writing's On The Wall (Columbia, 1999) - 8X platinum

    Destiny's Child came out in the late 90s and quickly became one of the definitive girl groups in the genre. Mixing a group of talented voices with a no sass attitude, Writing's On the Wall was a huge success. Tracks like "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Bug-a-Boo" maintains the strong woman attitude while the pleading "Stay" shows the girls can slow it down some.

  • 9. Toni Braxton - Secrets (LaFace, 1996) - 8X platinum

    What better way to follow an incredible debut album than an even better sophomore release? Working with a wide range of writers and producers, Braxton scored hits with "You're Makin Me High," and "Un-Break My Heart." The album scored two Grammy Awards for Braxton and went on to sell an incredible 8 million copies.

  • 10. Toni Braxton - Toni Braxton (LaFace, 1993) - 8X platinum

    Braxton's debut album set the stage for her powerhouse career in 1993, winning three Grammy Awards. The album seemed packed with hit after hit, scoring success with "Another Sad Love Song," "Breathe Again," "You Mean The World To Me," "Seven Whole Days," and "How Many Ways." Packed to the brim with hits, it's hard to believe the album didn't sell more.