1. Record Sales: Mariah Carey's music has consistently sold more copies than Britney Spears's throughout their respective careers. As of 2023, Mariah Carey has sold over 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In contrast, Britney Spears has sold over 100 million records worldwide, which is still an impressive figure but lower than Carey's sales.
2. Chart Performance: Mariah Carey's songs have achieved greater chart success compared to Britney Spears's. She holds the record for the most number-one singles (19) on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. Additionally, Carey has had five albums reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Britney Spears, on the other hand, has had six number-one singles and four number-one albums in the United States.
3. Awards and Accolades: Mariah Carey has won numerous prestigious awards throughout her career, including five Grammy Awards, 19 World Music Awards, and 10 American Music Awards. She was also named Billboard's "Artist of the Decade" in the 1990s. In comparison, Britney Spears has won one Grammy Award, seven Billboard Music Awards, and eight MTV Video Music Awards.
4. Longevity and Impact: Mariah Carey's career has spanned over three decades, and she continues to release new music and perform live. Her influence on popular culture and the music industry is undeniable, and she remains an icon in the entertainment world. Britney Spears's career has also been successful, but it has been marked by personal challenges and fluctuations.
5. Social Media Presence: While both Mariah Carey and Britney Spears have significant social media followings, Carey has a larger fan base on most platforms. On Instagram, Carey has over 10 million followers, while Spears has around 40 million. On Twitter, Carey has over 23 million followers compared to Spears's 56 million.
6. Cultural Impact: Mariah Carey's music has had a profound impact on popular culture. She is known for her powerful voice, her signature whistle notes, and her ability to blend contemporary pop, R&B, and holiday music. Her songs have become anthems and have been embraced by diverse audiences. Britney Spears's music has also been influential, particularly in the dance-pop genre, but she has faced more scrutiny and controversy throughout her career.
While popularity can be subjective and dependent on various factors, these metrics suggest that Mariah Carey has achieved a higher level of commercial success, chart dominance, critical acclaim, and overall impact compared to Britney Spears.