When it comes to Recording industry Association of America (RIAA) stats, few can hold a candle to the accomplishments of Pop titan Katy Perry.
As if being the first artist to see three singles certified Diamond wasn’t enough (meaning the tunes sold the equivalence of 10 million apiece in the United States), she was the first American-born female act to sell over 100 million digital singles in the country. Those achievements are barely the tip of the iceberg.
Now, despite the nonperformance of her last two studio albums ‘Witness‘ (2017) and ‘Smile‘ (2020), Perry still has reason to smile thanks to the ongoing success of their predecessor (and her undisputed magnum opus): 2010’s ‘Teenage Dream.’
See how inside.
Taking to press on April 12, the RIAA revealed Perry’s former nemesis – Lady Gaga – had danced her way to a third Diamond plaque for the 2008 megahit, ‘Just Dance.’ The upgrade means she tied Katy for most Diamond-certified singles among women at the time.
On Wednesday (June 21), however, the #KatyCat leader clawed to a new 10 million-seller courtesy of the Snoop Dogg-assisted, 2010 hit ‘California Gurls.’ The Dr. Luke-produced bop, which served as the lead single from ‘Teenage Dream,’ was the first in a historic string of Billboard Hot 100 #1s for Katy – leading her to tie the all-time record of hits found aboard King of Pop Michael Jackson‘s 1991 ‘Dangerous‘ LP (as we reported here).
Now, ‘California’ has carved a new historic achievement for the Pop diva as she becomes the first female act to own 4 Diamond-certified singles. Among all acts, only Post Malone (7), Bruno Mars (5), and The Weeknd (5) have more hits of such stature.
The news came the same day her 2017 album ‘Witness’ and 2019 single ‘Harleys in Hawaii‘ drove to Gold status respectively (meaning they sold 500,000 units in the U.S.).
Collectively, the updates push her cumulative single sales to 112 million – making the 38-year-old the fourth best-selling female artist in digital music history following Rihanna (166.5 million), Taylor Swift (137.5 million), and Beyonce (114 million).
Another list, another Beyoncé absence.