No introduction needed when it comes to this gentleman. Rising from the Marcy Housing Projects of Brooklyn, New York to providing running water to homes in Africa. His name is synonymous with success. Once again, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has etched another place in history.
As reported by Vibe, the Hip-Hop alumni and mogul has become the first Black male recording artist of any musical genre to have at least ten solo studio albums achieve double-platinum success.
On July 12th, 2023, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) updated its list of certifications, with Jay-Z’s 2009 album Blueprint 3 becoming his tenth solo release to reach two million album-equivalent sales. In addition to Blueprint 3, his 2003 release, The Black Album, reached the quadruple platinum mark, bringing his cumulative album sales in the United States to a reported 33.5 million and counting. In comparison to Jay’s newly discovered achievement, Eminem has eight multi-platinum solo albums, while Drake currently sits at seven albums with double-platinum certifications or higher.
Hats off to Jay-Z for another milestone in his career and life.
While on the subject, let’s give Mariah Carey her recognition for accomplishing this goal as the first Black artist to ever achieve eleven solo albums with over two million copies sold each.
In respect of Hov’s other notable accomplishments in music, I refer to a report from HipHop DX that highlights some of his achievements:
In total, JAY-Z has 12 multi-platinum albums, including 10 solo projects and two collaborative LPs: Watch the Throne with Kanye West and the Collision Course EP with Linkin Park.
The Roc Nation boss also leads all rappers when it comes to chart dominance having topped the Billboard 200 an impressive 14 times in his decorated career.
Jay also achieved his first ever diamond plaque for “N-ggas In Paris” which went 10X-platinum this past June of 2023 after achieving 9X-platinum status the year prior.
He was also named Billboard‘s No.1 rapper of all time in February. Billboard contended its grounds for this recognition were based on his commercial success, critical acclaim, cultural impact and entrepreneurial greatness, along with his “regal-scented rhymes that speak to the struggle.”
As well as his 24 Grammy Awards, 14 No.1 albums and 140 million record sales, Billboard said his “longevity, the breadth of his accomplishments, and what he’s meant to Hip-Hop from a musical, cultural and financial standpoint for the last three decades” is what put him at the top of the list.
If you look up the word “success", it’s bound to have a picture of Jay-Z under it or a reference to Jay-Z in the example of how to properly use it.
Comments