Stream queen Rihanna is shining bright like…Platinum. Double Platinum.
The RIAA has gifted the Bajan sensation with another plaque, this time for latest single ‘Needed Me.’
Full story after the jump…
Per the newest list of honors, the ‘ANTI’ cut has been recognised for amassing combined US sales and streams to the tune of 2 million.
Interestingly (in a situation much like that of its parent album), the pure sales of the track were much less. As at writing, that tally currently sits at just over 600,000.
Taking to social media to celebrate, the 28-year-old gushed…
Thank you Navy! #NeededMe is certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA Gold & Platinum Awards Program.
This will no doubt reignite discussion surrounding the weight of digital streams in the today’s music market. With Rihanna, the undeniable digital dominator, being the centre of arguments both for and against.
As reported, many were irked when the RIAA confirmed this February (the week ‘ANTI’ dropped) that it would include streams in its Gold & Platinum Awards for albums…with immediate effect. That decision controversially saw the star’s eighth LP certified Platinum after one day following a universally side-eyed deal with Samsung; a deal which permitted the one million copies purchased by the tech giant to be given away for free. Despite the plaque, Nielsen Soundscan didn’t budge and only counted the units purchased by the public, the total of which was markedly meagre by comparison (166k).
On the singles front, streams have been included since 2013. The official calculation there sees every 150 streams count as 1 equivalent “download.”
Viewed this way, it becomes easier to see how ‘Needed Me’ (a Youtube and Spotify smash) reached Double Platinum status.
The question that does remain is whether it’s fair. Especially given that three-quarters of the song’s consumers chose not to buy it.
Moral of the story: is this simply a new way to consume or a smart means of smoke and mirrors clouding the room? Let us know below…
Congratulations Rih!
#HereWeGoAgain
I love this comment!
Let me get my popcorn ?#ThisIsGoingToGetMessy
Lol, exactly. Got my Tim Tam biscuits and blush wine. Ready to go! ?
Dead???
Got my Doritos and pink lemonade?
Hilarious! We ready then! Kii!
#TheTeaIsComingToo
#HotAndFurious. ?
Queen of having songs listened to
Totally talentless smoke and mirrors pop star, created by a bunch of suits to undermine the music business. She can’t genuinely sell worth a sh*t.
She can’t genuinely sing/dance/act worth a sh*t either…
Y’all really need to stop!!! Didn’t y’all praise Ciara for I Bet going platinum when we ALLL KNOW damn well she didn’t sell a million units of the single
Yes they did and it was nowhere near a million copies.
You’re dumb as f*** they stared in the article her streams pales in comparison to sales
Bring up the queens name some more
She resting on 100mil not paying back Samsung
Russell is sitting on $100 million. Also, Rihanna doesn’t have to pay Samsung back. It was a 50/50 deal. They paid/promoted her tour and album and she promoted their Galaxy S7 phone that’s how a deal works. She did her part and they did theirs.
It’s crazy how everyone was more receptive to Needed Me than KIB (which was clearly the better single, and one of the few decent songs she’s ever released). Unfortunately Robyn’s trashy fans are the ones that force her into a box and make her release generic music.
Look Sam if you report all of the Artist same that is fair,but keep dragging and discredit her hard work is wrong and lame evil you’re make her more success and blessing and every day she’s the news of her movies,music,fashion her business keep growing and you keep reporting and shading how sad and pathetic you are!
He’s been extra mad bitter this ANTI era especially since Work came out. He would gleefully post random ass articles when 45S and BBHMM “flopped.” He swore her demise yet she continues to prove her wrong. Sam so bitter he act like he begged Rihanna for money on the street corner and Rihanna said no.
Lies and Smoke and mirrors with this tramp. She has ZERO talent. She has manipulated the public into thinking she is talented. Horrible vocals. Horrible stage presence. No songwriting ability. Those ugly tacky tattoos all over her hands, she’s disgusting.
I don’t think anyone thinks Riri is talented. She just serves as an over-glorified jingle singer for the latest trendy producer or songwriter shopping their material around.
Not a fair assessment. If you manage to stay around for 10 years, and still sell, someone has to think your talented in some way, no?
So much smoke, I can’t breathe. It’s definitely a testament to her ever growing popularity but to be honest, Rihanna is being treated like a cheap h**. Her fans rather steam her music versus buying it. Sad.
How exactly is streaming worst? When it’s permanently in her their catalogue. You guys are just haters. Either way they technically still have to spend money. Nothing is free. It’s funny. She has been smoke and mirrors all her career. Yet she landed 3 major roles this year, has an actually thriving fashion line, still breaking records in the music industry, and still the topic of the hives discussion. She’s doing everything right. While you guys are stuck on numbers, she stuck on branding and maintaining her superstar Dom. Can’t win if b****** don’t hate. Straight like that
and? Still have to subscribe to continue listening. And with anti streamed beyond a billion times means that it’s beyond a 7 day trial that it’s been streamed. So please stop. Stop being foolish I’m sure you are educated.
But streaming isn’t free dumbass. You have to pay a subscription
Wrong free trials attribute to streaming
And video views
And? All of those streams are not from free trials. Her album has been streamed over a billion times
600,000 pure sales is phenomenal for an R&B cut, especially one who’s mainline of support was only urban radio and streaming sites as it was just sen to Top 40 radio two weeks ago. Majority of the hits currently on Top 40 radio don’t near those numbers WITH streaming! Great Job Rih, Needed Me was the sleeper hit that prevailed.
Yass. I can’t wait until ANTI is 3x platinum for Sam’s reaction ?
Streaming is the new main way that people consume music. Get over it, youll be left behind if not
Rihanna is the queen of it. And Needed Me had a blocked video, no promo. Really she paid it dust and it still sold 600k.
If streaming was so easy everybody would be 2x platinum, 3x platinum but their not are they?All these new albums released in 2016 and who’s the only two to go 2x platinum ?Views and ANTI.
Exactly! Needed Me soared as a true hit! There were no live performances or no corny ass appearances on some television show. She just released it and let it perform.
And thats why they’re mad. Whereas some people need theatrics and a circus to release their music, she releases and keeps it moving and still slayed the hot 100
You right some people gotta put on a fireworks show for Chinese New Year just to drop a song where more than half the time don’t even go nowhere. Just sitting there at the bottom of the charts like a fresh piece of sh*t waiting at the bottom of the bowl.
This blog hates Rihanna and she’s the only black female who keep giving back with her community and doing what she loves SAM if you reading this comments she’s not going no where she will be rising and making her Empire Congratulation her success.
This blog hates Rihanna, yet oddly enough her fans continue showing up like a bunch of masochists.
Lol@ only black female ticket back to her community
Lol@ only black female to give back to her community
@truth
Like her with Chris brown hmmmm
Slay, 2x platinum, proud of all the success in Rihanna’s FLOP era, she is killing it.
Loooool slayanna!! Congrats
I don’t like that untalented goat but no one buys singles anymore. Congrats to her.
Are you Mad becaue heara’s last four flop albums dont add up to 500k are you mad because ciara couldnt sell out a 1k capacity venue on her jaçkôff tour?
lmfaoo .. an RIAA certification >>>> Sam’s broke ass opinion and shade
lmfaoo and Sam you so pressed and bothered by Rihanna that you didn’t even take the time to research the correct numbers because needed me has passed 700k in sales
It’s funny that Sam questions whether or not it’s fair…Every other artist has access to streaming formats too…Streaming is just a format that Rihanna shines at more than others…Even before streaming he always found a way to discredit her achievements so this isn’t even really about streaming lol
150 streams = 1 download
I think it’s more than fair for songs to go platinum taking streaming into account
as a consumer I’m not going to purchase a product I can get for free
Streaming has to matter
Hocus pocus, Congrats Ms. Ferry!!! This thread is going to turn into a complete mess, I will sit this one out!
Bitc better have my money is also 2x platinum as of today. Iconic trap song slay
Rihanna you are so blessed,keep up the good Work Queen???
Unnecessarily stan-baity post. Both album sales and digital sales are dead now. The best-selling single at any given week might barely sell 100K and the #1 album might not even hit 50K. Streaming is the future. Nearly every millenial has a Spotify or Apple Music account. Accept it and move on.
Congrats.
i THINK THIS WILL HELP ARTISTS IN THE FUTURE, THEY DON’T NEED A LABEL TO HELP DISTRIBUTE THEIR MUSIC. SO CUT THE MIDDLE MAN OUT
Congratulations baby. ANTI’s Triple Platinum plaque is also on the way.
Girl I will fall out screaming when anti hits 3xplat the meltdowns will be real.
Good for her
TBH I don’t think Rihanna makes music for sales now. I honestly think she is happy releasing music that makes her happy and that is clear to see with Anti and all of its singles. Im not a Rihanna stan, but its refreshing to see someone that was so singles focused in the past take a completely different path and still be sell. Streaming isnt the “future” of music…. The future is now and more and more people are going stream within the next year because its easier. So many artists are going to have plaques based on streams not sales, its just how the industry is going to go. Better that than illegal downloads
I agree.
The future is now, and more and more people will indeed switch. By next year I think the top selling albums will be down to 30K pure sales week to week. It’s already down to 40-45K in weeks with no big releases.
I also think Rihanna is on the right track and Anti is by far her best album.
Sorry is soon gonna be platinum yay it’s at like 730k, Formation is over 600k and Hold up is Gold also 6 inch is close. But Columbia don’t pay for her s*** to be certified until late af
Roc Nation pay for those certifications fast as f*** they be quick on that s*** Lool.
I don’t get the “Lool”. I don’t get the humor in your comment. You whack you tired and you thirsty.
I don’t care girl keep it moving sht ain’t that deep
Rihanna did a transformation every girl needs in her life she went from STAY to NEEDED ME I love her growth and direction with this album!
All of her albums are always slow sellers I’m just glad that after all these years she finally is seeing credit and money that streaming provides she is the most pirated artist of all time btw but also the first artist to pass 100 million digital sales
Where is the receipt for 600k? Its way more than that. The song has been on Billboard’s Hot Digital songs Top 10 for weeks.
Congratulations Rih!
buzzword spiral? what next?
Rihanna is always win bc she’s always ahead of the market. Popel mad fun of her selling a lot of singles during the rise of the digital age, not look, she passed so many artist and legends. Now buying singles is dead, she’s ahead again with streaming. People don’t want to give this girl her credit, yet cry because their faves are flopping or singles free falling off the charts. Other artist music are one the same streaming sites as Rihanna, yet we see Fergie, Taco Grande, Megan Trainer, Gomaz, Demi, Britney and now Katy fall right off after a week or two. If you can’t get a hit in this age when all you gotta do is click, then the people are just not into you.
Gagging read these hoës!
When will…LOL so proud! slaya ton queen
Wow rih just makes me so proud as a woman. Her music is like a journey throughout the different stages in her life. I’m glad *Needed Me* became a hit. Ladies gotta know their worth.
Everybody streams music, Samantha. Stop with all of the “pure sales” shade. No one buys music anymore, you old fashioned shady queen. Get off her d***!
Y’all tried. Streaming has taken over.
Congrats muva
I’m sorry but I have to ask…first, congratulations on the single achievement (if that’s what we’re calling it) cause I am in love with needed me, on of the few songs off ANTI I can deal with but why is “streaming is the future” when it comes to Rihanna sales yet other artists of her caliber are having great sales? If Tamar Braxton Love And War can do nearly Gold, why is it a problem for Rihanna, who is a much bigger artist with more label and financial support to have pure sales? Streaming is not the future, artist who put actual time and money into their music are taking it off streaming sites or they’re making streaming deals where they’ll get paid twice. Rihanna should follow that trend, it takes a lot to make a Flop album so imagine how much goes into a hit album. And give it away to you catty ass bottoms? HELL NO, streaming will be the down fall of the industry because no one really benefits but the listener and streaming company. Rihanna has lost a lot of the little respect she had because this whole situation has been an artist nightmare no matter how you try to dress it up, it’s been messy. The fact that an artist is selling below 1M but is 2X Platinum is not only a side eye to Rihanna, but the while damn industry. A new artist best bet would be to avoid the industry all together and go indie, putting on amazing concerts, and keep all their damn money. Ppl always want s*** for free, you can’t spare $10.97 for your “Fav”?
if you had a brain, you would know she gave away 1.4 million copies of the album
Streaming aint going anywhere, may as well get used to it and stop pouting.
people consume music in different format as long as money is exchange it should be counted.if they only count physical or intunes then the leave out a lot of sales.
Exactly
Those figures arent even right. Needed Me has sold about 750k, THAT’S FIRST! Secondly, why are u acting like streams aren’t a thing? Doesn’t this Sam person like ciara? I BET was praised for being platinum and hasnt sold anywhere near 750k……….or even 600 LMAO! I Guess this is more resentment for beyonce not having a successful charting or selling single and her album dropping outta the top 10 while rih is still in the top 5 after 6 months
Like I said before, “pure sales” are on the verge of becoming obsolete just like digital sales did to physical sales. Streaming isn’t the future, it’s the present. Congrats to Rih!
Lol Flop. The smokes and mirrors cheat. Girl bye.
Streaming is not the new way. It works for those whom can’t really sale. Stop using that as an excuse. First it was downloads before streaming. Now, the excuse is streaming. Lol. The Samsung deal tampered with her sales as well. You can’t use streaming as an excuse when her contemporaries sale with streaming. They have to add streamed singles/albums as a bundle to make it seem bigger than it is lol..
I’m sorry I don’t agree. Streaming is just something to cling to when your fave cannot sell. We have seen examples of people who can shift pure sales units.There is nothing impressive or ground breaking at all about streaming.
Y’all riding the denial train to obsolete land.
And this is why her record sales are dubious, most of her singles get certified like this one ^ 2k platinum with pure sales of 600k, what is wrong with that, some might say, nothing we are in the streaming era, it’s just that streaming is now certified are pure sales, therefore it’s add to her real pure sales which make her record sales jump from 150 million to 250 million in just 3 months, so is not fair to artists like Celine Dion and Mariah Carey that Rihanna is now celebrated as the second best female artist of all time with fake sales. Soon the list of best selling music acts will look very different thanks to streaming.
But can u seriously say that any artist to debut in the youtube era could using only pure sales really be able to climb up that all times list? And have album sales make up more than 20% of those nNumbersrs?
I would agree with you if on average artists still sold even 80% of what artists did back then.
Huge sales has always been exclusive to certain artists, even in the 90’s, not everyone was selling 20+ million per album, so even back then it was hard to sell, that’s why I don’t see a reason why an artist who hasn’t sold anything even remotely close to that of the greats to be included/or make them surpass those monster artists, it’s simply unfair.
SO she continues to widen her lead as biggest selling black female artist of all time! !