Just a day after International Women’s Day, New York City rapper Cardi B has made history by being the first female rapper EVER to go certified Diamond—10 million copies of her 2017 breakout single, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves).” The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced the news earlier today.
March 8 is globally recognized as International Women’s Day, and in the United States the month of March is recognized as Women’s History Month (in Canada, it’s celebrated in October). This accomplishment couldn’t come at a better time.
Digital media outlet Genius reported on Cardi’s accomplishment earlier today:
“Cardi B’s 2017 breakout hit, ‘Bodak Yellow,’ is now certified Diamond, making her the first female rapper in history to sell 10 million copies of a single in the US. The RIAA revealed the news, sharing a video of her being presented with the Diamond plaque.”
The Laquan Green and J. White Did It-produced record—which interpolates the 2014 breakout single “No Flockin” by Florida rapper Kodak Black—reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her just the fifth female rapper to do so (following Nicki Minaj, Eve, Foxy Brown, and Lauryn Hill).
“Bodak Yellow” has already earned Cardi a ton of huge accolades and recognition. The song received nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 60th Grammy Awards in 2018, and won Single of the Year at the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards, among others.
In terms of Canadian success, “Bodak Yellow” peaked at Number 6 on the Canadian Hot 100 between 2017 and 2018, and the song is currently certified 4x Platinum (over 320k units/sales).
Back in 2017, prior to a performance at the 2017 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball inside Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, Cardi was surprised when Warner Music Canada presented her with her first Canadian plaque to commemorate “Bodak Yellow” going Double Platinum. The video for the trap anthem was directed by Picture Perfect, and has brought in over 968 million views since its release on June 24, 2017.
