Ranked: The 10 Genres with the most No.1 Albums in the US

The Billboard 200 has long been the gold standard for album success in the United States. Since 1963, it’s been tracking which albums top the charts, and over the decades, every major music genre has had its moment in the spotlight despite it being known as the “Pop LPs chart“.

In this article, we’re breaking down which genres have scored the most No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200. From jazz and rock ‘n’ roll to hip hop, some results might surprise you.

Top 10 Genres According to Chart-Toppers

Note: Subgenres are counted under their broader umbrella – so “rock” includes alt-rock, punk rock, surf rock, etc. Some overlap naturally occurs due to fusion genres like pop rock, rap rock, and jazz pop.

Also, this list only includes data from August 1963 to December 2024.

10. Jazz – 39 No.1 Albums

Kicking off our list is Jazz, one of the oldest and most influential styles in modern music – the sophisticated grandparent.

Though it hasn’t dominated the charts like some other genres, Jazz made a significant mark during the early years of the Billboard 200, especially thanks to legends like Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, and Wynton Marsalis.

While its chart presence has dwindled in recent years, its cultural impact remains enormous. And if the merger of stereo and mono charts into one unified Billboard 200 had happened before August 17, 1963, Jazz would surely have ranked higher on this list with far more than ‘just’ 39 No.1 albums.

9. Folk – 61 No.1 Albums

Folk music thrives on storytelling, authenticity, and evolution. Over time, it’s found ways to blend with other genres, leading to chart-topping hybrids like Folk Rock, Folk Pop, and even Folktronica.

Artists like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Peter, Paul and Mary, Joan Baez, and more recently, Mumford & Sons have brought Folk to the forefront.

And with 61 chart-toppers, folk proves that storytelling and quiet acoustic-driven music never goes out of style.

8. Metal – 65 No.1 Albums

Metal might live on the fringes of the mainstream, but it’s got a fiercely loyal following and the numbers prove it. And the fascinating thing about it is the diversity of subgenres that have contributed to its chart tally.

With 65 No. 1 albums in the US, the genre’s thunderous sound has often broken through thanks to heavyweights like Metallica, Iron Maiden, and Slipknot who owe their success to metal pioneers like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple for paving the way in the 1970s.

Despite being less radio-friendly than Pop or R&B, Metal consistently delivers high album sales, especially during first-week releases.

Watch: Metallica perform in front of 1 million people in Moscow

7. Soundtrack – 69 No.1 Albums

Though not a genre in the traditional sense, Soundtracks deserve their own category. These albums blend genres but serve a unified purpose: to enhance film or television.

Some of the most iconic chart-toppers in this category include “The Bodyguard”, “Frozen”, “Purple Rain”, “The Lion King”, and “A Star is Born”. With 69 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, soundtracks prove that when music and storytelling collide, magic (and chart success) happens.

6. Soul – 70 No.1 Albums

Soul music, with its emotive vocals and rich instrumentation, has a long-standing history on the Billboard 200. Icons like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, and Stevie Wonder brought Soul to the top throughout the ’60s and ’70s.

The genre continued evolving in the next decades by blending with other styles and in recent years, a neo-soul revival led by artists like Leon Bridges, Anderson .Paak, and H.E.R. has kept the genre fresh and relevant.

With 70 No. 1 albums, Soul continues to touch hearts and dominate charts.

5. Country – 130+ No.1 Albums

Country music is often overlooked in the mainstream conversation, but its chart stats speak volumes. With over 130 No. 1 albums in the US, Country has quietly built one of the strongest chart histories in Billboard 200 history.

Whether it’s classic stars like Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, and Dolly Parton or modern icons like Morgan Wallen and Taylor Swift, the genre maintains a loyal and growing fanbase that shows up every release week.

4. R&B – 211 No.1 Albums

R&B is a cornerstone of American music, and its chart success backs that up—211 No. 1 albums, to be exact. From the smooth vocals of Luther Vandross and Toni Braxton to modern legends like Beyoncé, Usher, and The Weeknd, R&B has continuously evolved while staying true to its emotional core.

It’s a genre that traces its origins to the 1960s Motown Era and continues to adapt, innovates, and dominate the charts to this day.

3. Hip Hop – 300+ No.1 Albums

It may have arrived late to the party, but Hip Hop wasted no time taking over. The genre had its first No.1 hit in 1987 with Beastie Boys’ “Licensed to Ill”, and it’s been on an unstoppable run ever since.

With over 300 number one albums in the United States, artists like 2pac, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Eminem, 50 Cent, Drake, Kanye West, and Kendrick Lamar have turned Hip Hop into one of the most commercially successful genres of the 21st century.

The genre’s ability to reinvent itself every few years ensures it stays a cultural and chart-dominating force.

2. Pop – 455 No.1 Albums

You’d expect Pop to lead the Billboard 200 since it’s often referred to as the “Pop Albums” chart, but that’s not the case, although Pop certainly holds its own with 455 No. 1 albums.

From Madonna and Michael Jackson to Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Olivia Rodrigo, pop music dominates radio and digital platforms alike for over half a century.

P.S. – We counted K-pop separately (19 No.1s), but if you group it under the Pop umbrella, the total jumps to 474, just five more than Rock.

1. Rock – 469 No.1 Albums

The King of the Charts is Rock, with a staggering 469 No. 1 albums in the US. And while its mainstream dominance may have faded in recent years, Rock’s legacy on the Billboard 200 is unmatched.

From the “King of Rock and Roll” – Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd, to 1990s Grunge giants like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, to modern pop rock bands like Coldplay and Foo Fighters, rock music has consistently delivered era-defining albums while filling stadiums worldwide.

Given that Rock ‘n’ Roll helped launch modern popular music, it’s fitting that it still leads the pack.

Final Thoughts

Genres may rise and fall in popularity, but one thing is clear—the US Billboard 200 chart reflects both cultural shifts and long-standing fan dedication. While Rock, Pop, and Hip Hop dominate the top of the list, every genre, including those not featured here, has carved out a unique space in American music history.

Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or a metalhead, the charts prove that great music finds its audience no matter the genre.

If you want to know when your favorite album hit No.1 – visit our On This Day page to find out!