The Recording Industry Association of America awards artists various certifications for their singles and albums sold. Overall, the highest of these certifications is Diamond, awarded for sales of 10 million units and above. Many rap songs have achieved this feat, with some artists having multiple Diamond-certified songs and albums. Here are 11 rap songs that have been certified Diamond by the RIAA.
11. Travis Scott ft. Drake – “Sicko Mode” (2018)
Travis Scott may have numerous acclaimed songs in his repertoire, but “Sicko Mode” is arguably his signature single. In 2020, the rap song was certified Diamond for over 10 million units of sales. Because of its success, “Sicko Mode” is often heralded as the highlight of his third album, Astroworld. It was also Scott’s first song to top the Billboard Hot 100.
10. Drake – “God’s Plan” (2018)
Drake is one of the most commercially successful artists in music history, and this feat extends to his certifications. As a lead artist, Drake has three Diamond-certified songs across the genres rap, afrobeats, and R&B. His 2018 single “God’s Plan” was certified 15x Platinum in 2022 and is one of the most successful singles. It also debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100 and broke numerous streaming records. Additionally, the music video was praised for showing the artist’s generosity to fans and institutions in Florida. “God’s Plan” won the Grammy for Best Rap Song. His other singles to also achieve Diamond status are “One Dance” featuring Kyla and Wizkid, and “Hotline Bling.”
9. Lil Wayne ft. Static Major – “Lollipop” (2008)
“Lollipop” was released in 2008 and remains one of Lil Wayne’s most radio-friendly singles. The Diamond-certified rap song featured Static Major and was released two weeks after his death. “Lollipop” was notable for featuring heavy use of auto-tune and its several suggestive lyrics. The single hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and was one of the biggest songs of the 2000s decade. “Lollipop” won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2009. It was certified 10x platinum in 2022.
8. Eminem – “Lose Yourself” (2002)
Eminem is no stranger to achieving Diamond status. He holds the record for the rapper with the most Diamond albums in history. Adding to that, he has three Diamond-certified rap songs to his name. The most iconic of the trio however, is the Oscar winning “Lose Yourself” from the film 8 Mile. “Lose Yourself” was acclaimed upon its release, and the song’s most recent certification in 2022 is a testament to its longevity. “Lose Yourself” is also officially certified 13x Platinum. His other two songs to additionally achieve this feat, are “Not Afraid” and “Love the Way You Lie”, the latter featuring Rihanna. Unsurprisingly, both songs are featured on his impressive seventh studio album, Recovery.
7. Cardi B – “Bodak Yellow” (2017)
Cardi B’s rise to fame remains one for the books. After becoming a Vine star and a growing fan base from her time on Love & Hip Hop: New York, Cardi B struck gold. Her debut album Invasion of Privacy received critical acclaim and housed two Diamond-certified rap songs. Specifically, her official major label debut was “Bodak Yellow,” which turned Cardi B into a household name straightaway. The aggressive single became a significant turning point in Cardi B’s career. As of 2022, the song has been certified 11x Platinum.
6. Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – “See You Again” (2015)
“See You Again” by Wizk Khalifa and Charlie Puth quickly rose to the top of the charts following its release. The rap song was certified Diamond in 2019, four years after its release. “See You Again” was a part of the soundtrack for Furious 7 and was a tribute to Paul Walker. Walker was most known for his role in the Fast & Furious franchise. “See You Again” is also second to Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” for the rap songs that have spent the most weeks at the peak position on the Billboard Hot 100.
5. Post Malone – “Congratulations” (2017)
Post Malone holds the record for the artist with the most Diamond-certified songs in RIAA history. The rapper has a whopping eight singles that have achieved this feat. One of these singles, and one of his most popular, is “Congratulations,” which features Quavo. “Congratulations” was released in 2017 as a single off his debut album Stoney. All in all, Post Malone’s seven other songs to achieve this feat are: “I Fall Apart,” “Better Now,” “Circles,” “Psycho,” “White Iversion,” “Rockstar,” and “Sunflower.”
4. Fetty Wap – “Trap Queen” (2014)
In late 2014, Fetty Wap rose to prominence with his official debut single “Trap Queen.” The song earned the rapper his highest charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at the penultimate spot. Fetty Wap achieved Diamond status in 2019 when it was officially certified 10x Platinum. Moreover, the sleeper hit also secured the rapper with a record deal at 300 Entertainment.
3. Nicki Minaj – “Super Bass” (2011)
Nicki Minaj’s widely popular single “Super Bass” achieved Diamond status in 2021 after being certified 10x platinum. “Super Bass,” like other singles off her debut album Pink Friday, successfully merged Hip Hop and pop rap. The music video also further reiterated Minaj’s Barbie-esque style, featuring numerous pink props. It won the award for Best Hip Hop Video at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.
2. Lil Nas X – “Old Town Road” (2019)
Lil Nas X has achieved numerous record-breaking feats with his debut single, “Old Town Road.” It is also the fastest song in history to be certified Diamond. The country-rap single, which featured Billy Ray Cyrus, also combined two genres that have previously failed to achieve mainstream attention as a unit. In addition to these, “Old Town Road” is also the longest-running song atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart, rap or otherwise. The single remained at the No. 1 spot for 19 consecutive weeks. With 17 million units sold, it is the second-most certified single.
1. “Stronger” (2007)
“Stronger” by Kanye West was certified Diamond in 2021 for 10 million units sold. The single, which was notoriously mixed to perfection over 70 times, blended electronic and rap music. An iconic staple in Kanye West’s incredible discography, “Stronger” featured a sample from Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.” After the song’s commercial success, Daft Punk achieved mainstream fame in the United States. Furthermore, the high-octane song is a techno club favorite and is credited for revitalizing disco-infused music in the 2000s.
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