Alt-R&B band The Internet has scored their first pair of certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
“Girl,” a nearly seven-minute track that features Kaytranada, who also co-produced it, has been certified platinum for selling over one million equivalent units.
Jameel Bruner, a former Internet bandmate, co-produced the smooth tune, which has over 136 million streams on Spotify, alongside Nick Green (Beyoncé, Col3trane, JoJo).
In 2016, “Girl” climbed to No. 19 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart. It also peaked at No. 28 and No. 44 on Rhythmic Airplay and R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.
“Special Affair,” which has nearly 102 million streams on Spotify, received a gold award for selling over 500,000 equivalent units. Steve Lacy and Matt Martians, both active members of The Internet, produced it.
Both of these songs are featured on The Internet’s third album, Ego Death, released in 2015. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart.
Ego Death, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album, features guest appearances from Janelle Monáe, James Fauntleroy, Tyler, The Creator, and Vic Mensa.
The Internet’s fourth album, Hive Mind, was released in 2018, three years after Ego Death. It also was released on Columbia Records.
On Rated R&B’s 2018 list of 25 Best R&B Albums, Hive Mind ranked No. 9 at year-end.
“We know the gang for taking chances and meshing pulsing experimental sounds with an R&B base, but Hive Mind builds on that while pulling from a groovy ’70s inspiration,” wrote Rated R&B’s Danielle Brissett.
After taking a pause, members of The Internet pursued solo projects and other musical endeavors. Syd, the band’s lead vocalist, released her second album, Broken Hearts Club, in 2022.
In 2022, Steve Lacy, the group’s guitarist, had a remarkable breakthrough year thanks to his second album, Gemini Rights, and its hit single, “Bad Habit.”
Gemini Rights was showered with multiple accolades, including a Grammy award for Best Progressive R&B Album, while the song itself peaked at the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for three weeks.
Matt Martians, the keyboardist and part singer of The Internet, released his second solo project in 2019, titled The Last Party. Recently, he released a standalone single called “Waiting For,” following his 2021 project, Butterfly Don’t Visit Caterpillar.
In 2021, The Internet’s bassist Patrick Page II released If I Fail Are We Still Cool? He also played bass on “PLASTIC OFF THE SOFA,” the Grammy-winning song from Beyoncé’s 2022 album, RENAISSANCE. Syd also had a co-songwriting credit on the latter track.
Listen to The Internet’s “Special Affair” below.
