Cardi B becomes first female rapper to have a diamond song
The rapper’s “Bodak Yellow” has sold over 10 million units.
Cardi B’s breakout hit “Bodak Yellow” is still making money moves. The 2017 chart-topper was certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America yesterday (March 8), making Cardi the first female rapper to have a diamond single. On Twitter, the RIAA congratulated the Bronx native on the lofty certification, which is awarded when a body of music sells more than 10 million units.
“Congratulations to [Cardi B]!” RIAA’s account tweeted. “The first female rapper to achieve [an] RIAA single award!”
Cardi reacted to the achievement in a video posted by industry executive Brooklyn Johnny, whom she has worked with for many years. In the clip, the “Up” rapper received her diamond plaque and said in disbelief, “It’s diamond, for real? Certified by the RIAA? For real?!” She also received a plaque for her now five-time platinum hit, “WAP.”
In her own video shared to Twitter, Cardi revealed she had been rehearsing for her upcoming Grammys performance when she was invited to a restaurant by executives from her record label, Atlantic.
“So, I’ve been rehearsing all day today. I’m really stressed out, my body’s aching… they telling me like, ‘Oh, you gotta go meet up with Atlantic [Records] execs. I’m like, ‘Yo, I’m fucking tired. I don’t want to talk about no Grammys; I don’t want to talk about no album.’ And then, I still got drove to a restaurant,” she said.
There, she was surprised with the plaques.
“I’m here and I just got this crazy surprise and I think you guys are gonna find out tomorrow,” she continued. “I just wanna say thank you guys so much because without you guys this wouldn’t happen. This really made my day and really uplifted me for this crazy performance. I know you guys are gonna be really, really happy.”
She later responded to congratulatory messages from fans, tweeting, “I need a moment guys… I’ll talk to you guys tomorrow and I’ll be reposting. I’m too emotional to see all these beautiful tweets.”
“Bodak Yellow” soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of 2017. The historical moment marked the first song by a solo woman rapper to top the chart in 19 years. Prior to that, only Lauryn Hill had achieved the ranking with her 1998 hit, “Doo Wop (That Thing).”
Last month, Hill also became the first female rapper to have a diamond-certified album for her solo debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
See Cardi’s tweets about her new accomplishment below.