The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has announced 73.5 million new Gold & Platinum Program certifications for Eminem. The Shady/Aftermath/Interscope artist is now the number one awarded musician for singles in the program’s history and one of only seven artists in any genre or era with three or more Diamond Album Awards.
Eminem’s combined six RIAA Diamond awards – three albums and three singles – vault him into music’s stratosphere and cement his place as one of the most accomplished artists in history. With today’s 73.5 million new award units, Eminem’s RIAA Award career total is now 227.5 million – 166 million single certifications and 61.5 million album certifications.
RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier says, “These awards recognize Eminem’s unflinching commitment to his craft and the enduring connection he has forged with fans over the last twenty years. With today’s announcement, Eminem becomes the top certified singles artist in our program’s history and adds a rare third Diamond Album to his many creative accomplishments. Congratulations to Eminem and his entire label team who have set the bar higher than ever!”
“Interscope joins Aftermath in congratulating Marshall, Paul, and the entire Shady team on this remarkable achievement. It has been an honor to be part of one of the greatest journeys in the history of recorded music. The most beautiful part of this is it feels like the journey has just begun,” said Steve Berman, Vice Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M.
Last month, Curtain Call: Greatest Hits, became the first hip-hop album to spend 500 weeks (and counting) on the UK charts. Originally released in December 2005 (debuting at No.1), the record hasn’t left the album charts in the seventeen years since. Even more notably, it has primarily remained in the Top 50 of the charts each week.
At the time, Eminem’s single, “When I’m Gone,” peaked at No.4 in the UK, which helped the compilation’s popularity upon its release. From there, the rapper has gone on to have ten No.1 albums across the pond. He joins the ranks of classic albums, including Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors and Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, that have achieved the 500-week feat.