Jackson's "Thriller" becomes 1st ever 30 times multi-platinum album

PanARMENIAN.Net - Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is still scaring up sales and giving the King of Pop's legacy a new milestone, the Associated Press reports.

The album has sold 30 million copies in the United States, making Jackson the first artist to attain 30-time multiplatinum status, the Recording Industry Association of America and Jackson's estate announced Wednesday, December 16.

The album has proved even more popular overseas, with a total of 100 million copies sold worldwide since its 1982 release. It includes some of Jackson's most recognizable hits, including "Beat It," ''Billie Jean," ''Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and the title track, which inspired one of the most famous music videos of all time.

"'Thriller' continues to be the yardstick against which all other albums are measured," said John Branca, co-executor of Jackson's estate.

Branca noted that Jackson wrote the album to appeal to a broad audience, which helped fuel its popularity abroad.

"He didn't want to sell records to blacks or whites or Americans," Branca said. "He wanted to sell records to everyone, Africa, Asia, everywhere. It's just continued to sell and sell and sell."