Rihanna’s last studio album, 2016’s ANTI, has produced seven new single sales awards from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Her Drake-assisted single “Work” is now certified 9x multi-platinum with over nine million equivalent units sold. It is just one million units away from achieving diamond status, marking her first a lone artist.
With the new certification, Rihanna’s chart-topping Drake collaboration, co-produced by Boi 1da and Kuk Harrell, is the best-selling song from ANTI.
“Needed Me,” which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, is now certified 8x multi-platinum for exceeding eight million equivalent sales units. The Grammy-nominated song is the second most certified song from ANTI.
“Love On The Brain,” the album’s fourth and final single, is now certified 6x multi-platinum. Meanwhile, “Kiss It Better,” which was Grammy-nominated for Best R&B Song in 2017, is now certified 3x multi-platinum.
Rihanna’s other platinum awards include “Desperado” (2x multi-platinum), “Same Ol’ Mistakes” (platinum), and “Higher” (platinum).
Last year, Rihanna gained seven RIAA certifications, including “Love The Way You Lie” and “The Monster.” Rap icon Eminem led both tracks. The former track appears on his 2010 album Recovery, and the latter is lifted from his 2013 album The Marshall Mathers LP 2.
Rihanna’s new certifications come on the heels of ANTI‘s seventh Tidal anniversary (Jan. 28, 2016). The LP was released across digital and stream platforms as a deluxe version featuring three new tracks. A physical CD came a week later.
More recently, Rihanna earned a Best Original Song nomination for “Lift Me Up” at the 95th Academy Awards. It marks her first time landing an Oscar nod. Rihanna co-wrote “Lift Me Up” with Tems, Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler. Göransson also produced the track.
“Lift Me Up” was penned for the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, which honored the life and legacy of Chadwick Boseman, who played King T’Challa/Black Panther in the 2018 film. Boseman died in 2020.
Upon its release, “Lift Me Up” stormed Billboard, debuting at No. 1 on several charts, including Hot R&B Songs. It also entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 2.
In late 2022, “Lift Me Up” topped Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, giving Rihanna her first No. 1 on that list.
On Feb. 12, Rihanna will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show at Super Bowl LVII.
“Rihanna is a generational talent, a woman of humble beginnings who has surpassed expectations at every turn,” said JAY-Z, founder of Roc Nation. “A person born on the small island of Barbados who became one of the most prominent artists ever. Self-made in business and entertainment.”
Before Rihanna takes the stage, legendary singer Babyface will sing “America the Beautiful,” while actress and singer Sherly Lee Ralph will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
