Jay-Z made it clear that he was rewriting the rules and that's exactly what he did. The RIAA presented the Hip Hop mogul with a platinum plaque for selling 1 million copies of his 13th studio album, Magna Carta Holy Grail.
As previously reported, Samsung purchased 1 million albums for their mobile users. In addition, these 1 million users received the album a week early.
With these sales numbers and because it was all digital, the RIAA was forced to change their certification policy, previously set at 30 days after a project was released.
In addition to the Samsung sales, Jay is expected to move just under half a million units in the first official week of release.
The music industry has a new set of rules, and the biggest star in hip-hop is at the center. Jay-Z recently received his first platinum plaque since 2017, signaling a monumental moment in his career – and for rap fans everywhere! This achievement comes as part of an overhaul to how streaming services are counted when awarding plaques, and now it’s clearer than ever that Jay-Z truly is one of the most successful artists in history. Here’s what you need to know about these new rules and why they matter so much for Jay-Z and other stars alike.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) recently announced sweeping changes to their certification program, which awards gold and platinum plaques based on sales figures from streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Under the old system, 1,500 streams were equivalent to one album sale; under the new system, 3,750 streams must be reached before an album can be certified “platinum”— making it harder for artists to achieve this coveted status.
But despite these tougher standards, Jay-Z managed to snag his first platinum plaque since 2017 with his recent release 4:44 — proving just how iconic he really is. Not only did this feat earn him recognition from other rappers like Drake and Chance The Rapper but also helped solidify his legacy within the industry as well as show younger generations that hard work pays off no matter what obstacles come your way.
Background Of Accomplishment
Jay-z recently became the first hip hop artist to earn a certified platinum plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His album, 4:44, released in 2017 was his thirteenth studio album and received this coveted honor. This accomplishment is significant because it marks an important moment for Jay-Z’s career; he has now officially become one of the most successful recording artists in music history.
The RIAA began certifying albums as gold or platinum nearly 60 years ago, but no rap artist had ever achieved such status until now. To receive a platinum certification, an album must sell over 1 million copies within its first year of release. With 4:44 having sold more than 2 million copies since its debut, Jay-z easily beat that milestone.
This success speaks to the power of hard work and dedication—qualities which have been central to Jay-Z’s career from day one. He started out as a hustler on the streets and worked his way up to becoming a world-renowned rapper with 13 Grammy awards under his belt. Now, by earning this new distinction, he continues to raise the bar for what it takes to be a legendary musician in today’s industry.
Significance Of Award
Jay-Z’s achievement with 4:44 is truly remarkable and should be celebrated. Not only does it speak to his own hard work and dedication, but also serves as an inspiration for future rappers who strive to reach the same level of success. This accomplishment sets a new standard in hip hop and reinforces what many have known for years—that rap music can stand shoulder to shoulder with any other genre when it comes to producing quality albums.
To receive such recognition from the RIAA indicates that Jay-Z has reached a point where he is respected by all aspects of the industry, not just those within hip hop culture. It shows that even after two decades in the business, he still continues to push boundaries and set higher standards for himself while inspiring others along the way. Ultimately, this platinum plaque will serve as a reminder of how far he has come since his humble beginnings on the streets of Brooklyn, New York.
This momentous event stands as proof that anything is possible through hard work and determination; no matter what one’s starting point may be or who they are up against. It takes more than talent alone to make it big in this world, but if there’s anyone who embodies this notion it would certainly be Jay-z –– now officially recognized as having achieved platinum status thanks to 4:44.
Conclusion
The world has been watching Jay-Z’s career trajectory with awe and admiration, and now he can add one more accomplishment to his list of many: a platinum plaque. This award is given out by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for albums that have sold over 1 million units in the United States, making it an incredibly significant achievement.
This honour speaks volumes about Jay-Z’s talent and influence as an artist. His ability to transcend genres while staying true to himself has earned him respect from both fans and critics alike. He continues to break boundaries within the music industry and this latest accolade is further proof of his lasting impact on popular culture.
It comes as no surprise then that Jay-Z was chosen for such a prestigious distinction, considering how much he has achieved throughout his illustrious career. Congratulations are definitely in order! Despite all his success, there is still so much left for Jay-Z yet to accomplish – we look forward to seeing what else he will do in the future.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.
