Rihanna Breaks RIAA Singles Record

Even though it’s been a decade since Rihanna dropped her last album, she’s proving that her music still reigns supreme! The global superstar has once again made history, this time by shattering the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) singles certification record.

A New Milestone: Over 200 Million Certifications

Rihanna is now officially the first female artist ever to achieve over 200 million RIAA singles certifications. To be exact, she’s hit a staggering 200.5 million units! This incredible achievement places the 38-year-old singer and entrepreneur as the third-ranking musical artist on the RIAA’s all-time digital singles units list.

She’s trailing only behind Drake, who boasts 277.5 million units, and Morgan Wallen with 215 million. For context, the RIAA defines one unit as either a permanent digital download or 150 on-demand audio and/or video streams. It’s a testament to the enduring popularity of her music.

More Than Just Music: A Business Mogul

This isn’t the only recent milestone for the Bajan artist. Last December, Billboard recognized her eighth studio album, “ANTI,” for spending an incredible 500 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart – another first for a Black woman. Rihanna, ever humble, celebrated by saying, “God ain’t forget bout me.”

Since the release of “ANTI” in 2016, which gave us timeless hits like “Needed Me,” “Work,” and “Love On The Brain,” Rihanna has become a billionaire. She’s conquered the business world with her wildly successful Fenty Beauty cosmetics and Savage X Fenty lingerie brands, and has welcomed three children with her partner, A$AP Rocky.

What’s Next for ‘R9’?

While fans eagerly await her ninth album, affectionately nicknamed “R9,” which she’s been teasing for years and has hinted will be unexpected, this latest record proves her music catalog remains incredibly strong. Her fans are clearly still deeply connected to the tracks that have defined soundtracks for the past two decades.