The iconic rapper breaks barriers, becoming the inaugural Black male artist to achieve 10 multi-platinum solo albums.
JAY-Z has found yet another reason to rejoice. As reported by VIBE, the rap icon has etched his name in history by becoming the first Black male recording artist to achieve at least 10 double-platinum solo studio albums.
The news surfaced after the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) updated its certifications recently, catapulting Jay’s 2009 album, The Blueprint 3, to double-platinum status with an impressive 2 million album-equivalent sales. Additionally, his 2003 record, The Black Album, reached quadruple-platinum status, contributing to the remarkable milestone of over 33.5 million album sales for the Brooklyn rapper.
While JAY-Z stands as the first Black man to accomplish this remarkable feat, he shares this distinction with only one other Black artist. Mariah Carey, celebrated as the most commercially successful Black female solo artist of all time, boasts over 11 albums that have sold more than 2 million copies domestically, making her the first Black artist overall to achieve double-digit multi-platinum album status in her career.
Among the Black female artists, Beyoncé and Whitney Houston have come closest to achieving this milestone, with six and seven multi-platinum albums, respectively.
In addition to the impressive 10 multi-platinum solo records on his discography, JAY-Z’s collaborative albums also boast significant success. Both 2004’s “Collision Course” with Linkin Park and 2011’s “Watch the Throne” with Kanye West have each sold at least two million copies.
Adding to his list of accolades, the Brooklyn Public Library recently unveiled the “Book of HOV” exhibition, which showcases a collection of archived and previously unseen items and masters from throughout the hip-hop icon’s illustrious career.
In a press release, the exhibit was described as “a tribute to Carter’s global impact as a musician, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and disruptor,” recognizing his influence and accomplishments in various domains.
The exhibition was carefully designed to be a delightful surprise for Carter (JAY-Z) and serves as a joyous celebration, not only for his beloved hometown of Brooklyn but also for the vast hip-hop community worldwide, as stated in the release.
The immersive experience will feature a wide array of items, including iconic artifacts, awards, rare photos, legendary magazine covers, and more, spanning 27 years since Carter’s momentous debut album, “Reasonable Doubt,” was released in 1996. The primary objective of this display is to offer an enlightening and educational glimpse into Carter’s remarkable journey, from his roots in the Marcy Projects in Brooklyn, N.Y., to his unprecedented rise as an international phenomenon.
Beyond his music career, the exhibition will also showcase his various business ventures, such as his co-ownership of the Brooklyn Nets, his successful transformation of TIDAL into a prominent streaming platform, and his role in building Armand de Brignac champagne and D’USSE Cognac into multi-billion-dollar premium brands.
Although the library has yet to disclose the specific closing date for this free exhibition, the press release indicated that it will only be open to the public for a limited period, making it a must-see event for fans and enthusiasts.