In an incredibly tight race, Mariah Carey has edged out 50 Cent to become the highest selling artist of 2005.

Carey’s “The Emancipation of Mimi” racked up another 300,000 copies sold in the last week of the year, bringing her year-end total to 4.86 million copies sold.

50 Cent’s “The Massacre,” which was released in March, a month earlier than Carey’s album, sold 4.83 million copies this year.

2005 will be known as Carey’s comeback year, as her past two albums flopped and her career seemed to be in jeopardy. But several massive singles helped her regain her status above the pop music scene. Her most recent single, “Don’t Forget About Us,” sits at the top of Billboard this week.

Carey is tied with Kanye West and John Legend, who all earned eight Grammy nominations; while 50 Cent has six. The awards will be handed out in February.


Related Stories: