Not even two weeks after delivering her first child, Rihanna – despite not having released a studio album since 2016 – has been delivered news that her reign as Queen of digital downloads has been extended.
Reclaiming the title from Taylor Swift last year (as we reported here), this week Rih furthered the distance between herself and her nearest female competitors thanks to a slew of new certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Hop inside to see the new shiny plaques the diva is welcoming.
On May 31, the RIAA took to press to announce four of Rihanna’s most beloved hits had each seen updates to their certifications statuses. See the list below.
8x Platinum (for sales of 8 million in the U.S.)
- ‘Umbrella’ (Single)
7x Platinum (for sales of 7 million in the U.S.)
- ‘Disturbia’ (Single)
6x Platinum (for sales of 6 million in the U.S.)
- ‘Take a Bow’ (Single)
- ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ (Single)
Thanks to the newly-reported upgrades, ‘Umbrella’ – now at 8x Platinum – ties her chart-topping 2016 hit ‘Work’ as the second highest-certified single of her career. Among her hits, only 2011’s ‘We Found Love’ and 2013’s ‘Stay,’ both at 9x Platinum, have performed better commercially.
Collectively, Rih’s digital catalog now sits at a whopping 155 million in the U.S. alone – more than any other female act. Her closest competitor, Swift, boasts a massive 134 million digital records sold.
Among all artists, only Eminem (166 million) and Drake (164 million) – both of whom have collaborated with Rihanna multiple times – have sold more digital records than her in the same territory.