Despite nearly a decade-long album hiatus focusing on her Fenty empire and motherhood, Rihanna reigns supreme. The singer nabs the record for most diamond-certified singles by a female artist, but fans clamor for her long-awaited return to music.
BeatCurry Team
RIAA recently showered Rihanna with diamonds! Four of her smash hits – “Umbrella,” “Needed Me,” “Work,” and “Stay” – all surpassed the coveted 10 million unit sales mark. “Stay” even went a step further, reaching a staggering 11x platinum status. This impressive feat cements Rihanna’s place in music history as the female artist with the most diamond-certified singles under her belt.
2007 marked a turning point for Rihanna. “Umbrella,” a monster hit from her third album “Good Girl Gone Bad” (featuring the iconic Jay-Z), became a global phenomenon. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot Digital Songs, smashed iTunes records with the biggest US debut in six years, and redefined Rihanna’s image. The video, drenched in rain and showcasing her edgy style and captivating dance moves, took home the prestigious MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.
“Work,” the crown jewel of Rihanna’s dancehall reign, featured the smooth vocals of Drake and blended pop and hip-hop into a chart-topping masterpiece. This track, from her latest solo album “Anti,” propelled Rihanna even further into music royalty. It toppled none other than Michael Jackson on the US Billboard Hot 100, solidifying her place as the artist with the fourth most US number ones.
“Work” wasn’t just a hit, it was a chart-dominating juggernaut. It conquered the US Dance Club Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Rhythmic charts, proving its versatility. Internationally, it topped charts in Belgium (R&B/Hip-Hop), Canada, France, South Africa, and beyond. This global success landed Rihanna nominations at the 59th Grammy Awards for both Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
Rihanna’s genre-bending “Anti” album wasn’t just home to “Work.” It also birthed “Needed Me,” another diamond-certified electro-R&B banger produced by the legendary DJ Mustard. This track dominated the US Dance Club Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop, and Rhythmic charts, only stopping short of the top spot on the coveted Hot 100 where it peaked at number seven.
Rihanna’s 2012 album “Unapologetic” wasn’t just about fierce anthems. It also featured the diamond-certified ballad “Stay,” a collaboration with Mikky Ekko that explored the complexities of love. This song became another personal triumph for Rihanna, marking her 24th top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Notably, “Stay” climbed the charts even higher (peaking at number three) after Billboard began factoring YouTube streams into their calculations.
She took to X to share her reaction, writing, “ain’t no back n forth,” which left fans wanting more. The comment section overflowed with congratulations on her historic win, but also with pleas for a musical return. YouTube Music chimed in, echoing the fans’ desires with a playful message: “Riri come back and drop some more diamond hits!”ROC Nation shared its kudos on X, highlighting her historic accomplishment: “Congratulations @Rihanna For Having The Most @RIAA Diamond Singles And Diamond Certified Titles For A Female Artist!”
Since her last album “Anti” in 2016, she’s carved out a thriving business empire. Her Fenty brand, encompassing the inclusive beauty line Fenty Beauty (a 50% stake worth an estimated $1.4 billion) and the lingerie label Savage x Fenty (a 30% stake valued at $270 million), has taken the world by storm. Motherhood has also brought her joy, with the arrival of two sons with rapper A$AP Rocky: RZA Athelston Mayers (2 years old) and Riot Rose Mayers (10 months old).
Despite hints of music in the studio with The Neptunes in 2020 and even a guest rap verse on N.E.R.D.’s “Lemon” in 2017, Rihanna hasn’t officially hung up her mic. Focusing on building her Fenty empire hasn’t dimmed her musical appeal. Her enduring popularity and industry demand are testaments to her lasting global influence.
All information sourced from various sources purely for factual reporting purpose only.
Image courtesy: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
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