T.I. is one step closer to scoring his first-ever diamond plaque as a solo artist after adding a string of new gold and platinum certifications to his collection.
On Wednesday (September 18), the Atlanta rap legend was awarded 16 new plaques from the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), led by “Whatever You Like” which is now eight-times platinum — making it his highest-selling solo single to date.
The certification commemorates at least eight million sales in the U.S., meaning the 2008 hit is now just two million units away from becoming diamond.
Elsewhere, Tip’s “Live Your Life” collaboration with Rihanna soared to seven-times platinum and the Justin Timberlake-assisted “Dead and Gone” was certified five-times platinum, while classics like “What You Know” and “Bring ‘Em Out” were officially recognized as double platinum.
The Grand Hustle general’s albums also racked up new plaques, with Paper Trail being certified four-times platinum, King and Urban Legend going double platinum and No Mercy joining the platinum club.
T.I. technically already has a diamond plaque to his name thanks to Robin Thicke‘s 2013 smash hit “Blurred Lines,” which he appeared on alongside Pharrell.
But if he achieves the feat with one of his own releases — the most likely being “Whatever You Like” — then he’ll join rare company.
To date, the rappers with at least one diamond plaque include Eminem, Drake, 50 Cent, Kanye West, JAY-Z, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Future, Lil Wayne, Travis Scott, OutKast and Lauryn Hill, among others.
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Em leads all artists in Hip Hop with six diamond certifications (The Marshall Mathers LP, The Eminem Show, Curtain Call: The Hits, “Lose Yourself,” “Not Afraid” and “Love the Way You Lie”) while the most recent entry from a rapper was Kid Cudi‘s “Day ‘N’ Nite.”
Despite his new accolades, T.I. isn’t finished yet. The 43-year-old has been teasing his 12th and final album for several years now, and recently revealed that it will be a double disc effort.
“It’s time to evolve beyond my career as a rapper,” he said of the project on the We In Miami Podcast. “It’s gonna be a double album so there’s going to be Kill the King and Kiss the King.”
