Rihanna has surpassed more than 100 million in single sales, becoming the first artist to achieve this milestone. The pop singer is now the Number 1 artist on Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) list of artists with the most digital sales. “Gold and Platinum is the industry’s premier way to celebrate achievement in the marketplace. We have given awards to artists for nearly 60 years,” CEO of RIAA, Cary Sherman, stated. Sherman continued,”It’s rare that we have the opportunity to recognize a milestone like the one Rihanna has reached. She has not only surpassed RIAA’s 100 million mark, but [she] is also the first artist to do so. It is an historic feat and a testament to an extraordinary career.”
Rihanna has released 58 singles during her career, and 37 of the singles have reached either Platinum or Gold certification. Some of her platinum singles include “Umbrella,” “Unfaithful,” “Shut Up and Drive,” “Disturbia,” “Hard,” “Only Girl (in the World),” and “Diamonds.” The singer’s most recent Platinum singles include “FourFiveSeconds” (with Kanye West and Paul McCartney) and “Bitch Better Have My Money.”
Rihanna has dropped seven studio albums including Music of the Sun, A Girl Like Me, Good Girl Gone Bad, Rated R, Loud, Talk That Talk, and Unapologetic. Her Rated R project produced six hit singles- “Russian Roulette,” “Hard,” “Wait Your Turn,” “Rude Boy,” “Rockstar 101,” and “Te Amo.” The album reached Number 1 on the albums chart in the US, Switzerland, and Norway. It also impacted the charts in New Zealand, Japan, the UK, Russia, Canada, and Australia. To date, Rihanna has sold over 30 million albums worldwide. She is dropping a new album entitled R8, which will be her eighth studio effort. A release date for the album has not been revealed.
Besides her contribution to music, Rihanna has also become the new face of Christian Dior. She is the first black woman to be the face of the fashion house. Rihanna has built an impressive fashion resume, which was solidified when she signed a partnership with Puma. The company named Rihanna the Creative Director (and chief consultant) for their womenswear line. The singer will giver her input on Puma’s fitness and training apparel and shoes.