Jay Z’s new album “4:44” was released to Sprint and TIDAL customers on June 30, 2017.
On July 5, 2017, it officially went platinum in the United States.
The RIAA formally issued the certification, which confirms 1 million in US units. Album units are equal to 1 album sale, 10 track sales or 1500 track streams.
In this case, the certification is reportedly due exclusively to pure album sales.
Sprint purchased the albums to distribute as free downloads to customers. Whereas the Billboard chart would not consider these “sales” for chart purposes, the RIAA views them as sales when it comes to certifications. The RIAA does not focus on who bought the albums — just the fact that they were purchased.
The award gives Jay Z his 13th solo platinum album; he is the only hip-hop artist with more than 10.
Jay Z and RIAA CEO Cary Sherman took a picture marking the occasion.
