A Diamond Record signifies 10 million units (sales + streams) sold/streamed in the U.S., awarded by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) since 1999 for albums or singles reaching this milestone, with Multi-Diamond awards for every 10 million additional units, representing massive commercial success for artists like Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey, and Drake.
The "Diamond Award" granted by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) recognizes 10 million units sold in the United States for both albums and singles.
Garth Brooks is the artist with nine diamond-certified albums, a record for album sales (10 million+ units each), though Drake now leads in total Diamond certifications (albums and singles combined) with over 10, followed by Post Malone for singles. Brooks' nine diamond albums include classics like Double Live, The Ultimate Hits, and In Pieces, making him the sole artist with this many album awards from the RIAA.
George Strait holds the record for the most platinum albums, with 33 certified by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for selling over one million copies each in the USA, a feat that cements his status as the "King of Country" and leads all artists across genres. He is followed by Elvis Presley and The Beatles in overall platinum awards, but Strait leads the pack specifically for platinum albums.
The RIAA's four official certification requirements are 500,000 units (Gold), 1 million units (Platinum), 2 million units (Multi-Platinum), and 10 million units (Diamond, a level reached by such royalty as Led Zeppelin, Mariah Carey, Outkast, and Garth Brooks).
But why do jewelers not like platinum? The answer lies in its unique properties that make it both a prized and challenging material to work with. Platinum is significantly denser than gold, making it heavier and more difficult to shape. This density also causes tools to wear down faster, increasing costs for jewelers.
Its single "Bad Guy" became the first by an artist born in the 21st century to top the US Billboard Hot 100 and be certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
There's no single "number one" album due to different metrics (sales, critical acclaim, cultural impact), but Michael Jackson's Thriller (1982) is consistently cited as the best-selling album worldwide and a landmark pop record, while The Eagles' Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) often tops US sales charts. Other contenders for "best" often include Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, Fleetwood Mac's Rumours, and recent critical favorites like Adele's 21.
Drake's 'Take Care' Album Has Officially been Certified RIAA Diamond after Selling 10 Million Units... becoming his first ever diamond certified album.
#CardiB's album 'Am I The Drama? ' Is the fastest album in history to be certified platinum‼️🤯
Who is the most successful artist of all time?
Rappers with the most DIAMOND plaques 💎 • Eminem - 6 • Drake - 6 • Jay Z - 3 • Cardi B - 3.
Taylor Swift's "1989" has officially become her second diamond album, joining "Fearless."
The number one selling album worldwide is Michael Jackson's Thriller, released in 1982, with estimated sales exceeding 70 million copies globally, making it the best-selling album of all time. While the Eagles' Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) holds the top spot in the U.S. for album-equivalent units, Thriller remains the undisputed global leader.
The Marshall Mathers LP, The Eminem Show, Curtain Call: The Hits (2005), "Lose Yourself", "Love the Way You Lie", and "Not Afraid" have all been certified Diamond or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Most states will allow finders to keep the property if the owner does not show up to claim it after a certain time. Failure to report a found item can lead to criminal charges. So, unless you're at Crater of Diamonds State Park, you cannot keep a found diamond.
Globally, Elvis has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. His American sales have earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards for 150 different albums and singles.
Some Sexy Songs 4 U (stylized as $ome $exy $ongs 4 U or shortened to $$$4U) is a collaborative studio album by Canadian singer PartyNextDoor and Canadian-American rapper and singer Drake. It was released on February 14, 2025, by OVO Sound, Santa Anna, and Republic Records.
Here are the Rappers with certified Diamond albums in US💎 - #Eminem has most (3) - #Drake becomes the latest entry with 'Take Care' - #LaurynHill is the only female Rapper with Diamond album.
As of late 2025, Taylor Swift is widely considered the number one artist globally, holding titles as the top-selling artist for 2024 by the IFPI, the most-streamed on Spotify and Apple Music in 2024, and topping Billboard's 21st Century Artists list; however, Bad Bunny was Spotify's most-streamed artist for 2025, showing immense popularity, while Ariana Grande recently topped monthly listeners on Spotify, highlighting different metrics for "number one".
Jay-Z is the only solo artist in music history to have eleven consecutive #1 albums on the Billboard 200. From Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life (1998) to Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013), every solo album he dropped went straight to the top.
Big winners included British singer Adele, veteran rockers the Foo Fighters, dubstep producer Skrillex and country superstar Taylor Swift. Adele brought home six GRAMMYs, tying Beyoncé for the most awards won by a female artist in one night.
The only person to refuse a Grammy is Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor, who in 1991 declined the award for Best Alternative Music Performance for her album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, protesting the music industry's "false and destructive materialistic values". She chose to boycott the ceremony and the award itself, viewing the Grammys as prioritizing commercialism over genuine artistry, says Far Out Magazine.
Billie Eilish has been diagnosed with Tourette syndrome (TS), a neurological disorder causing involuntary movements or sounds (tics) like eyebrow raises, jaw clicks, and shoulder shrugs, which she revealed publicly and has spoken about openly, noting that stress can worsen them but deep focus on music or performing helps reduce them. She also experiences synesthesia, seeing colors with sounds, which aids her creative process.