Numbers definitely don’t lie and according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Rihanna’s long-awaited eight full length album ANTI, went platinum only one day after it was released.
However, according to Billboard, they won’t recognize the albums status reportedly because it was available for free download on Tidal.
“Billboard has a well documented policy of not counting free albums towards the charts,” a Billboard spokesperson told Digital Media.
So here’s the break down: Rihanna signed a $25 million deal with Tidal to release ANTI via the app, just as Jay-Z did with Magna Carta Holy Grail. Y’all remember that?! So according to data collecting on Tidal, the album shifted more than 1.4 million copies within its first day. Tidal also confirmed that 1 million of that 1.4 million was prepaid for and given away to Samsung users. This would leave 400k copies that were sold to expectant fans, right? Right.
This would prove that not only did the album go platinum BUT it would also be Rihanna’s highest selling album in her career.
Go, Rih Rih!
Billboard sounds as if they have their minds made up but Rih has little to worry about seeing as how RIAA, which is the organization that hands out plaques following the confirmation of gold, platinum, or diamond rank, is set to certify ANTI with its official platinum status. Furthermore, if sales remain selling at the steady pace it’s already been selling, Rihanna might be saying hello to a second platinum certification soon.
Here’s the thing –RIAA has stated that they can’t count her 1 million Samsung copies as sales, just as Billboard has stated. So the question then becomes why isn’t Billboard recognizing the 400k?!
According to Forbes, “…the rules have changed as to what counts and what doesn’t count when it comes to charting. A full length needs to be sold for at least a certain price ($3.49) within the first month it comes out in order to be included in the weekly ranking.”
Because it can’t be deciphered exactly how much Samsung paid for the 1 million copies, they are disqualified from the official tally.
So long story short, Billboard is playing with the advantage of a technicality. But regardless, ANTI was well worth the wait, and we’d like to congratulate Rihanna again on her platinum status–even if Billboard won’t.
source: Forbes, http://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2016/01/29/tidal-claims-that-rihannas-album-has-already-sold-400000-copies/#6211de762962
TSR intern: Chantel P. @_popchanny on IG!
