J. Cole has finally done it! His 2019 hit song, ‘Middle Child’, has reached an incredible milestone, earning him his first-ever diamond plaque.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) bestows a diamond certification on records that sell 10 million certifiable units in the U.S. For J. Cole, ‘Middle Child’ is the track that achieved this feat.
Despite never reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, ‘Middle Child’ debuted at No. 26 and peaked at No. 4. The song has now become one of Cole’s most enduring hits.
Interestingly, two years ago, it was reported that his 2014 track ‘No Role Modelz’ had also passed 10 million units. However, it never received an official diamond certification from the RIAA.
Celebrating this monumental achievement, the RIAA tweeted: “We are not 🎶 counting you out 🎶 @JColeNC. Congratulations on your first RIAA Diamond 💎 certification for #MiddleChild.”
With this certification, J. Cole now joins an elite group of Hip Hop artists who hold diamond plaques. Eminem leads with six diamond certifications, while other multi-diamond holders include Drake, 2Pac, Kanye West, Cardi B, and JAY-Z. JAY-Z recently earned his third for ‘Empire State of Mind’.
Post Malone holds the record for most diamond singles across all genres, with nine. He is followed by Rihanna and The Weeknd, who each have seven.
J. Cole’s entry into the diamond club puts him ahead of ‘Big Three’ rival Kendrick Lamar, despite Cole previously admitting he felt inferior to Kendrick and Drake. In his 2021 track ‘Heaven’s EP,’ he rapped: “Some people say I’m running third / They threw the bronze at me / Behind Drake and Dot / Yeah, them n-ggas is superstars to me.”
The North Carolina rapper also ended his recent rap battle with Kendrick Lamar after dissing him on ‘7 Minute Drill,’ which divided opinions among fans and fellow artists. He even apologized to Kendrick onstage at his Dreamville Festival, expressing gratitude for simply standing beside Kendrick and Drake.
With his first diamond plaque, J. Cole has cemented his status as a heavyweight in the Hip Hop world. ‘Middle Child’ continues to shine brightly, making this a milestone worth celebrating.
