Rihanna Becomes First Female Artist to Surpass 200 Million RIAA Singles Certifications
Rihanna has added another milestone to her career, becoming the first female artist in history to surpass 200 million singles certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America.
With 200.5 million certified units, the singer and entrepreneur now ranks as the third highest artist on the RIAA’s all-time digital singles list. She trails only Drake, who holds 277.5 million units, and Morgan Wallen with 215 million.
The RIAA defines one unit as either one permanent digital download or 150 on-demand audio or video streams. The certification system reflects the continued dominance of streaming in shaping modern music consumption.
‘ANTI’ Continues to Drive Long-Term Success
Despite not releasing a full studio album in nearly a decade, Rihanna’s catalog continues to perform at a historic level. Her eighth studio album, “ANTI,” released in 2016, remains a major driver of that success.
The album, which includes hits like “Needed Me,” “Work,” and “Love On The Brain,” achieved sextuple Platinum status and continues to chart years after its release. In December, Billboard confirmed that “ANTI” had spent 500 weeks on the Billboard 200, making Rihanna the first Black woman to reach that mark.
At the time, she acknowledged the achievement publicly, writing, “God ain’t forget bout me.”
Also Read: Rihanna’s ‘Anti’ Album Hits 500 Weeks on Billboard 200
Business Success and Continued Cultural Influence
Outside of music, Rihanna has built a billion dollar business empire. Her brands, Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, have expanded her influence beyond the industry and into global retail and fashion.
She has also welcomed three children with her longtime partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, while maintaining a presence in music through occasional releases and collaborations.
Anticipation Builds for Long Awaited Ninth Album
Fans have continued to wait for her ninth studio album, often referred to as “R9.” Rihanna has indicated that the project will take a different direction, telling Harper’s Bazaar in 2025 that it will not be what listeners expect.
She fueled speculation earlier this year with an Instagram post from the studio, though no official release date has been announced.
While new music remains on the horizon, Rihanna’s latest achievement underscores the lasting impact of her catalog and her continued position as one of the most influential artists of the past two decades.
