diamond albums Archives - New Hip Hop News

Drake’s “Take Care” Not Certified Diamond RIAA Says Contrary To Original Reports

February 21, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Drake is one of the most successful rappers in hip-hop’s nearly 51 years in existence. The Toronto, Canada icon has racked up hits, numerous great albums, tremendous features, and many sold out tours. One of his magnum opus moments in his storied career has to be the release of his 2011 album Take Care. Even after its 12 years of shelf life, it still sits really high on the Billboard Hot 200 chart. It is currently at the number 30 spot, and it has been on the chart for 572 consecutive weeks. Just last week his third project was at number 23. However, even after all this time, Drake’s Take Care is still not diamond.

According to XXL they had a direct conversation with the RIAA about incorrect reports saying Take Care reaching this coveted milestone. For those who do not know that stands for the Recording Industry Association of America. They handle and track all of the record certifications. Several music accounts on social media originally shared that Drake’s record sold the 10 million copies, the amount needed for diamond status.

Drake Still Has A Ways To Go Before Take Care Reaches Diamond Status

.@Drake‘s ‘Take Care’ has now sold over 10 million units in the US (album). pic.twitter.com/gLCt6HLart

— chart data (@chartdata) February 20, 2024

Unfortunately, the RIAA confirmed and corrected the original reports, saying it is sitting at eight million copies sold and is yet to pass that mark. While it may be a tiny bit disappointing, Drake is most likely doing just fine. Eight of his records are still on the charts and his It’s All A Blur – Big As The What? Tour is bringing in big crowds. It might take a couple more years, but Take Care holds a special place in a lot of rap fans’ hearts regardless of its certification status.

What are your thoughts on Drake’s Take Care reconfirmed to be not diamond yet? How much longer do you think it will be before it reaches that mark? Is this album still in your rotation? If so which songs and why? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Drake and the RIAA. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.

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What Is Outkast’s Best-Selling Album?

December 21, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Outkast, composed of André 3000 and Big Boi, etched their indelible with their groundbreaking album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. Undoubtedly a project that blurred the lines between pop’s mainstream output and the Southern’s rich musical history, this album stands as Outkast’s best-selling release. It achieved the coveted Diamond certification from the RIAA for surpassing 10 million units sold in the United States alone.

Read More: Outkast: Where Are They Now?

Success Of Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, a double album, was released in 2003 under the Arista Records label. This masterpiece showcased the distinct talents of both André 3000 and Big Boi, highlighting their unique styles and musical prowess. The innovative fusion of hip-hop, funk, soul, and pop resonated profoundly with audiences worldwide.

The album’s incredible success was primarily fueled by its diverse and chart-topping singles, such as “Hey Ya!” and “The Way You Move.” “Hey Ya!” particularly skyrocketed in popularity, becoming an anthem that transcended genres and captivated listeners across the globe. Its infectious rhythm and catchy lyrics propelled it to the top of the music charts. Although they already developed a strong catalog, this album solidified Outkast as sonic trailblazers.

Global Sales & Impact

Beyond its monumental success in the United States, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below made a resounding impact on the international music scene. Recent figures indicate robust worldwide sales, with estimates placing the album’s global consumption well beyond its U.S. Diamond certification. The album’s cross-genre appeal and innovative sound contributed significantly to its sustained popularity, continuing to garner admiration from music enthusiasts worldwide.

Moreover, the distinct tracks from this album continue to resonate with new generations of music lovers, cementing Outkast’s legacy in the annals of music history. Its influence persists, inspiring subsequent artists and serving as a testament to the duo’s unparalleled creativity and artistry.

Singles’ Influence & Enduring Legacy

The singles spawned from Speakerboxxx/The Love Below remains emblematic of Outkast’s musical genius. “Hey Ya!” and “The Way You Move” dominated the airwaves upon release. However, these singles continue to gain recognition as timeless classics, regularly featured in playlists and cultural references. Their enduring popularity attests to the album’s lasting impact and Outkast’s ability to create music that transcends temporal boundaries.

In conclusion, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below stands tall as Outkast’s best-selling album, achieving Diamond status in the United States and leaving an indelible mark on global music culture. Its innovative sound, diverse tracks, and chart-topping singles solidify its place not just in Outkast’s repertoire but as a hallmark of musical excellence that continues to captivate audiences worldwide, ensuring its evergreen relevance in the realm of iconic albums.

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What Is Lil Wayne’s Best-Selling Album?

October 31, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Lil Wayne is undoubtedly one of hip-hop’s most important figures. The self-proclaimed “best rapper alive” has clearly left his mark on the next generation of rappers. His work ethic speaks for itself in his extensive catalog of 13 studio albums, countless mixtapes, and collaborations. The New Orleans native is clearly not slowing down his consistent output anytime soon with the recent release of Welcome 2 ColleGrove, his upcoming second collaborative with 2 Chainz. Lil Wayne also announced that Tha Carter VI will arrive soon, releasing Tha Fix Before Tha VI to fuel the buzz. With an endless amount of music and new material on the way, it begs the question of what Lil Wayne’s best-selling album actually is. That award goes to his sixth studio album, Tha Carter III.

Lil Wayne Triumphed with Tha Carter III

Tha Carter III arrived during a creative peak for Lil Wayne. Weezy was riding the success of the first two installments of Tha Carter, as well as his full-length collaboration with Birdman. There was also the rise of “mixtape Wayne” as he released a host of classic mixtapes, as well as his iconic feature run of 2007 where he appeared on 100 songs in that year alone. By the end of that year, Wayne’s status in hip-hop was scorching hot. He was constantly churning out some of his best material for his solo material and his collaborations. At that point, nothing was stopping Lil Wayne’s dominance.

The majority of Tha Carter III leaked online before it saw an official release, causing major delays. While the leaks caused setbacks for the album’s campaign, it still managed to sell over 1 million copies in its first week, becoming one of the fastest-selling albums in the U.S. at the time. At the time, he joined Eminem and 50 Cent as the only other two rappers to move a million-plus copies in the first week. The Carter III debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking Lil Wayne’s first album to top the chart. He clearly capitalized on his momentum with Tha Carter III, resulting in his biggest album to date. Upon its release, Lil Wayne was unstoppable.

Numerous Hit Singles And Exciting Collaborations

Tha Carter III is Lil Wayne’s best-selling album by a long shot. It was officially certified 8x platinum in 2022. The only other work in his extensive discography that comes remotely close to reaching its stature is Tha Carter IV, which is 5x platinum. Lil Wayne also has numerous double platinum albums, including Tha Carter II, both in installments of I Am Not A Human Being and Tha Carter V. However, not one of Lil Wayne’s albums has reached the commercial heights of Tha Carter III. The success of his sixth studio album can be attributed to the prolific run that preceded it, as well as its numerous hit singles and exciting collaborations.

“Lollipop” is Lil Wayne’s most successful solo single to date and boasts a diamond certification. The Static Major-assisted track was also his first song to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The 6x platinum “A Milli” also remains one of his biggest singles to date, peaking at No. 6 on the Hot 100 and No. 1 on the rap charts. Songs like the explosive “Got Money” with T-Pain and irresistibly catchy “Mrs. Officer” with Bobby V and Kidd Kidd were also massively successful, contributing to the overall success of Tha Carter III. It also featured the classic “Mr. Carter” with JAY-Z, which made the album even more of a crowning moment for Lil Wayne.

Tha Carter III Is Lil Wayne’s Masterpiece

If Tha Carter II left any doubt in the credibility of Wayne’s claim to being the best rapper alive, then Tha Carter III won over his biggest skeptics. In addition to being his best-selling album, it is also his most critically acclaimed work. Tha Carter III even took over the rap game even with its most underrated tracks, including the Kanye West-produced “Comfortable” and “Let The Beat Build,” the latter of which saw Wayne smoothly ride a constantly progressing instrumental. There was also “Dr. Carter,” which is arguably Lil Wayne’s most creative song ever as he skillfully assumed the role of a doctor that brought hip hop back to life.

Overall, Tha Carter III contained some of Wayne’s most brilliant lyrical moments, iconic tracks, and highest-selling singles. The album, which won Weezy his first three Grammy Awards, stands as the crown jewel of his discography. Tha Carter III marked a moment in time when Lil Wayne ran the rap game, and its status as his biggest release speaks to both Wayne’s commercial peak and his legacy.

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JAY-Z Explains Origin Of “Diamond” Hand Signal

October 30, 2023 by newhiphopnews

JAY-Z recalled the origin of his iconic diamond hand sign during a recent interview with Gayle King on CBS Mornings. Speaking with King while touring his Book Of HOV exhibit at the Brooklyn Public Library, he explained that it has to do with his albums being certified diamond. JAY has flashed the hand sign countless times over the course of his career, including on the cover of his 2000 album The Dynasty: Roc La Familia.

“When we first started, we had a group called Christion,” JAY-Z explained. “When you sell 10 million, you go diamond, right? We believed in them so heavy, we was like, this group is going to sell 10 million records. So, we started putting the diamond up for Christion. That’s how it all came about. And then we started playing with it, and then we started doing it at shows. Then the whole crowd started doing it, and it stuck.”

JAY-Z Attends “Book Of HOV” Exhibit

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 13: Roc Nation CEO, Desiree Perez and Jay-Z attend The Book of HOV: A TRIBUTE EXHIBITION HONORING JAY-Z at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library on July 13, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)

Elsewhere in the interview, JAY discussed his iconic performance at Glastonbury in 2008, when the event was still a rock festival. Chirs Martin from Coldplay convinced him to go through with the set. “At one point, I was like, ‘Why am I going there?’” JAY-Z recalled. “If they don’t want me there, I don’t want to go. And Chris from Coldplay was instrumental on [convincing me to play]. He was like, ‘Jay, they love you. It’s just the old guard, they don’t know. It’s always been a rock festival.’ They didn’t have anything against me personally. It was just like, this is a rock festival, this is what it is. The world was changing.” Check out JAY’s interview with King below.

JAY-Z Speaks With Gayle King

Additionally, JAY-Z also spoke about the viral debate over whether lunch with him or $500,000 is more valuable, as well as what it will take for him to drop new music. Be on the lookout for further updates on JAY-Z on HotNewHipHop.

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