Since her debut in 1998 she has sold more than 50 million records, with the releases of her 8 studio albums, 4 compilation albums, 40 singles, and several non-studio albums, being the top selling solo and female artist and the fourth top selling Japanese artist in history. With the release of her 40th single "Blue Bird", Hamasaki's single sales have passed the 20 million mark, making her the first solo and female singer to do so.