Rihanna Becomes First Woman to Surpass 200 Million RIAA Singles Certifications

Rihanna has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the music industry by becoming the first woman to exceed 200 million RIAA singles certifications, totaling 200.5 million units. This remarkable accomplishment comes despite her not releasing a full studio album in a decade, with her last album, ANTI, dropping back in 2016. The 38-year-old singer, known for hits like ‘Diamond,’ now ranks third on the all-time RIAA singles certifications list, trailing only Drake with 277.5 million and Morgan Wallen with 215 million. Rihanna’s enduring popularity is evident in the continued streaming and sales of her extensive catalog, which includes recent contributions like ‘Lift Me Up’ from the 2022 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack and ‘Friends of Mine’ from the 2025 Smurfs movie. This certification reflects the modern RIAA criteria that now incorporate streaming data alongside traditional sales, highlighting how her classic tracks such as ‘We Found Love’ and others keep accumulating numbers years later. Even as she has focused on business ventures like Fenty Beauty and family life with partner A$AP Rocky and their three children—RZA, Riot Rose, and Rocki—Rihanna’s music remains a dominant force. Fans have eagerly awaited news of her ninth studio album, with teases in recent years suggesting she’s ‘starting over’ in the studio, promising something unexpected and non-commercial. This RIAA record underscores her lasting influence, proving that a hiatus from new releases hasn’t dimmed her legacy but rather amplified it through evergreen hits.