Rapper's album "4:44" has already been certified platinum, less than a week after its release

jonathan

July 6, 2017 3:21 AM

Jay-Z's critically acclaimed new album "4:44" has already been certified platinum, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Less than a week after its release, Jay-Z's critically acclaimed new album "4:44" has already been certified platinum, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The rapper released his new album – his first since 2013's Magna Carta Holy Grail – exclusively to his streaming service, Tidal, June 30, 2017.

RIAA tweeted the news with a picture of Jay and the company's chairman and CEO Cary Sherman standing beside the platinum plaque for the album.

"Props to JAY, he’s done it again!" Sherman said in a statement. "Another Platinum album adds to an already iconic career."

"4:44" is now Jay-Z's 13th platinum solo studio album — the most of any hip-hop artist in history, according to RIAA.

It's unclear how the album reached platinum certification so quickly despite it being a Tidal exclusive.

Complex has speculated that Sprint, Tidal's partner in the release of "4:44," may have purchased a bulk number of copies in the same way that Samsung purchased a million copies of Jay's 2013 album "Magna Carta Holy Grail."

"4:44" was solely produced by No I.D, and contains 10 tracks. Jay-Z's mom Gloria Carter, Frank Ocean, Damian Marley. Beyoncé, The-Dream and Blue Ivy Carter all appear on the album.

Jay-Z will tour this summer in support of 4:44, including stops at festivals like his Made in America, Austin City Limits and Meadows.

jonathan