Mimi, which spawned a nomination for Album of the Year along with seven other Grammy nods, was released in April. Assuming she holds the lead through the end of the year, Carey would become the first female solo artist to top the year-end sales figures since Alanis Morissette did it in 1996 with Jagged Little Pill. Former “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson was on pace to finish in third place for 2005 with Breakaway, which sold 3.4 million copies.

In addition to the hit “We Belong Together,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for 14 weeks, The Emancipation of Mimi also spawned Carey’s 17th #1 single, “Don’t Forget About Us,” which helped push the singer into second place behind the Beatles’ all-time record of 20 #1 hits.