RIAA: The Weeknd Becomes the First Black Male Singer to Sell Over 100 Million Digital Singles in the U.S.

Being one of the best-selling artists in digital music history certainly comes with its fair share of record-breaking stats; just ask The Weeknd. The same day the GRAMMY winner (born Abel Tesfaye) learned his 2015 chart-topper ‘Can’t Feel My Face‘ felt its way to Diamond status at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of 10 million in the United States, » Read more about: RIAA: The Weeknd Becomes the First Black Male Singer to Sell Over 100 Million Digital Singles in the U.S. » The post RIAA: The Weeknd Becomes the First Black Male Singer to Sell Over 100 Million Digital Singles in the U.S. appeared first on ..::That Grape Juice.net::.. - Thirsty?.

Dec 10, 2022 - 14:00

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RIAA: The Weeknd Becomes the First Black Male Singer to Sell Over 100 Million Digital Singles in the U.S.

Being one of the best-selling artists in digital music history certainly comes with its fair share of record-breaking stats; just ask The Weeknd.

The same day the GRAMMY winner (born Abel Tesfaye) learned his 2015 chart-topper ‘Can’t Feel My Face‘ felt its way to Diamond status at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of 10 million in the United States, he was also informed a slew of his other hits had their certifications upgraded as well.

The fourth time he’s seen a single reach the sales threshold, the crowning – which follows similar treatment previously given to ‘Blinding Lights,’ ‘Starboy,’ and ‘The Hills‘ (as we reported here) – makes ‘Face’ only the 94th song in history (among all artists) to be certified as high. It’s also worth noting the win makes him the first Black artist to own four Diamond plaques.

See the full list of recent updates to his catalog.

10x Platinum [Diamond]

‘Can’t Feel My Face’ (Single)

6x Platinum

‘Beauty Behind the Madness’ (Album)

5x Platinum

‘Die For You’ (Single)

4x Platinum

‘Acquainted’ (Single)

3x Platinum

‘After Hours’ (Album)

1x Platinum

‘I Was Never There’ (Single)
‘Shameless’ (Single)
‘Hurt You’ (Single)
‘In the Night’ (Single)
‘Prisoner’ (Single)
‘My Dear Melancholy’ (Album)
‘Try Me’ (Single)

Note: The term ‘Platinum’ denotes sales of 1 million in the United States.

Thanks to the collective updates, Tesfaye’s cumulative Stateside single sales have been hoisted to 108 million – thereby entering him into an exclusive club of hitmakers who have sold over 100 million digital records in the country.

The first and (at present) only Black male singer in the group, Abel joins fellow Canadian Justin Bieber as the only two male singers who made the cut.

Among all acts, the list includes Katy Perry (109.5 million), Bieber (111 million), Beyonce (114.5 million), Post Malone (121 million), Taylor Swift (137.5 million), Kanye West (139 million), Rihanna (155.5 million), Eminem (166 million), and Drake (184 million).