Numerous artists have 7 platinum albums, especially in hip-hop like LL Cool J, Nas, OutKast, Kanye West, and newer stars like NBA YoungBoy, but many others across genres like Beastie Boys, Snoop Dogg, and older acts like Elvis Presley (with many more) also hit this milestone, with the count depending on whether it's RIAA certification or actual sales.
Elvis Presley is the male artist with the most platinum albums.
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.
NBA YoungBoy is now the youngest artist to have 7 platinum albums 🏆
Platinum means in excess of 1,000,000 sales. A single and an album can go platinum if each sells more than 1,000,000 units. If it sells more than 1,000,000 units, then it is a multi platinum release. A 7x multi platinum means it has sold in excess of 7 million records.
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.
Drake's 'Take Care' Album Has Officially been Certified RIAA Diamond after Selling 10 Million Units... becoming his first ever diamond certified 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".
#CardiB's album 'Am I The Drama? ' Is the fastest album in history to be certified platinum‼️🤯
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.
Who is the most successful artist of all time?
Sales: Off the Wall has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2025. Billboard Year-End Awards (1980): Jackson was recognized as Top Black Artist and the album as Top Black Album. Major Awards and Nominations.
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.
Rappers with the most platinum certified albums 🔥🤯 Jay Z leads the way with an incredible 17 platinum records, while Eminem, Future & Drake lead the way from the rest of the pack. Which rapper has the best discography of all time?
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.
A well-known 23-minute song is Pink Floyd's "Echoes," from their 1971 album Meddle, taking up an entire side of the original LP; other long tracks include Genesis' "Supper's Ready" (22:54) and Rush's "2112" (20:34), while modern artists also have long pieces like Black Emperor's "Mladic" or Sufjan Stevens' "Impossible Soul".
Today In Music History February 13, 1981 Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of Moon became the longest-running rock record on the Billboard album chart, concluding its 402nd week.
Progression of most weeks at number one
Songs that tied the current record at a given time are noted below the table. The current record holder is "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey at 22 weeks, and the longest record held is "One Sweet Day" by Carey and Boyz II Men with 8,554 days. Ref.
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.
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.
Few artists have impacted the Billboard Hot 100 like Drake. Since his blog-era breakthrough, the Toronto native has amassed 13 No. 1 hits on the iconic chart. His Billboard reign includes everything from solo singles that dominated airwaves to major collaborations with peers like Rihanna, Future, and J.