At writing, only 81 acts in the history of recorded music can boast having earned 20 or more Gold records over their careers. The certification threshold denotes sales equivalence of 500,000 in the United States.
And while some assume the feat is easy to accomplish given the inclusion of streaming in the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) certification tabulations, it’s still one that’s eluded Black female performers as they represent less than 10% of aforementioned tally of hitmakers.
This week, thanks to the ongoing success of Jhené Aiko‘s 2020 tune ‘A&B,’ the score increased for the ladies.
Taking to press Monday (January 23), the RIAA announced ‘Above & Beyond’ (also known as ‘A&B’) crossed its qualification line for Gold certification.
The tune, found aboard the deluxe edition of Aiko’s chart-topping third studio album ‘Chilombo,’ marks the 20th time of her career she’s seen a single reach such status.
In doing so, the GRAMMY nominee not only marks a career milestone but also joins an exclusive club of Black female hitmakers who can say they’ve accumulated at least 20 Gold-certified singles in the U.S. As of time reported the list includes Nicki Minaj (21), Janet Jackson (22), Doja Cat (23), Whitney Houston (23), Halsey (28), Mariah Carey (34), Rihanna (55), and Beyonce (61).
Undoubtedly, the ongoing success of Jhené’s previous cuts serves as indication her loyal fans are ready for new music. However, if the recent announcement of ‘Sleep Soul’ (a 20-track album of R&B-flavored lullabies for babies) is any sign, Aiko lovers still have a while to wait any news about official music drops.
Wow! Can’t name any of her singles lol.
It’s so strange seeing her among true legends/icons.
Can’t name a song or recite a lyric other than that Virgina troll song
^^^OLD PEOPLE ALERT🚨
huh! I can’t name one song.
One day, amapiano will be in that mix
Slaying SZA
And Hep B 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Jhene has NEVER topped any chart. She doesn’t even have a top 20 single. No #1 albums, and certainly not one that topped the charts for 2 months. Her sleepy lullaby music couldn’t compare to SZA’s trick. Where Cardi album at since you talking so much s***??
“It’s coming,” will it’s reply.
It’s BEEN coming for HALF A DECADE 💀
Jhene “sleepy lullaby music” was nominated for AOTY at the Grammys lol. At the end of the day all those numbers don’t mean s***. Jhene been consistent. 12 years since her debut single and she’s still able to maintain relevance, sell records and get awards. Chilombo was the highest selling female R&B album of 2020. So why u mad at a black woman doing great huh?
Flop 💅🏾
Her FANBASE do not f*ck around.
She has ZERO Top 10’s on the Hip-Hop/R&B Charts.
Her music isn’t big in any market.
SHE is a hitmaker? LOL really? No titles come to mind. I just know she likes to sing about her pu**y.
I noticed this article was written on January 23rd. Whitney actually has 27.
Here are the singles that went gold:
You Give Good Love
Saving All My Love for You
How Will I Know
Greatest Love of All
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Didn’t We Almost Have It All
So Emotional
Where Do Broken Hearts Go
One Moment in Time
I’m Your Baby Tonight
All the Man That I Need
Star Spangled Banner
I Will Always Love You
I’m Every Woman
I Have Nothing
Run to You
Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
Count on Me
I Believe in You and Me
Step by Step
When You Believe
Heartbreak Hotel
It’s Not Right But It’s Okay
My Love Is Your Love
I Look to You
Higher Love
Do You Hear What I Hear