In the opening paragraph, I will provide a quick answer to the main question posed in the title. 50 Cent does not have a diamond album certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). For an album to go diamond, it needs to sell 10 million units. 50 Cent’s most successful album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, has sold over 8 million copies but has not yet reached the 10 million threshold.
50 Cent’s Album Sales
While 50 Cent does not have a diamond certified album, he has had tremendous commercial success over the course of his career. His debut studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is his best selling, moving over 8 million units worldwide. It was released in 2003 and featured hit singles like “In Da Club” and “21 Questions.” Get Rich or Die Tryin’ went 6x platinum in the United States. His next most successful album in terms of sales is The Massacre, released in 2005. It sold over 5 million copies worldwide and featured radio smashes like “Disco Inferno” and “Candy Shop.”
Here is a table summarizing 50 Cent’s major studio album sales:
| Album | Year | Global Sales | Notable Singles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Get Rich or Die Tryin’ | 2003 | 8 million | “In Da Club,” “21 Questions” |
| The Massacre | 2005 | 5 million | “Disco Inferno,” “Candy Shop” |
| Curtis | 2007 | 3 million | “Ayo Technology,” “I Get Money” |
| Before I Self Destruct | 2009 | 1.15 million | “Ok, You’re Right,” “Baby by Me” |
As the table illustrates, 50 Cent has two albums that have sold at least 5 million copies worldwide. However, neither has crossed the 10 million threshold to achieve diamond status.
Requirements for a Diamond Album
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is responsible for certifying album sales milestones in the United States. For an album to go diamond, it needs to sell 10 million units. These sales can include traditional album purchases, digital downloads, and streaming equivalents.
Here are some key requirements for an album to go diamond:
- The album must sell at least 10 million copies in the United States.
- The 10 million copies can include physical sales, digital downloads, and streaming equivalent units.
- The RIAA counts 1500 on-demand audio or video streams as equivalent to 1 album unit.
- Only sales after an album’s release date count. Pre-release sales do not count.
- Compilation or greatest hits albums are not eligible for diamond certification.
Very few albums actually reach the diamond level. According to the RIAA, only 46 albums have been certified diamond since the award’s inception. Artists with diamond albums include The Eagles, Michael Jackson, Shania Twain, and Eminem.
Streaming’s Impact
The inclusion of streaming equivalents makes it easier for modern artists to reach diamond status. Hip hop artists like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Post Malone have benefitted from huge streaming numbers that count towards an album’s certification. However, albums need sustained long-term popularity to reach diamond. It can take years or even decades of steady sales for older albums to cross the 10 million threshold through repeated purchases, consistent radio play, and enduring listener loyalty.
50 Cent’s Notable Accomplishments
While 50 Cent does not have a diamond album, he has had an immensely successful career full of accomplishments:
- His debut Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is one of the best selling hip hop albums of all time.
- He’s had 5 albums debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
- He’s had 13 top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including 6 that reached #1.
- His single “In Da Club” held the record for most weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart at 16, until Lil Nas X broke the record in 2020.
- Get Rich or Die Tryin’ was voted as the best album of the 2000s by Complex magazine.
- He’s won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Song and been nominated for 5 more Grammys.
- He’s also found success as an entrepreneur, investing early in Vitaminwater and selling it to Coca-Cola for $4.1 billion in 2007.
Despite no diamond album certifications, 50 Cent has clearly left an indelible mark on hip hop music and culture. Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in particular is considered one of the most impactful rap albums of all time.
Possibility of a Future Diamond Album
Given the tremendous commercial success of Get Rich or Die Tryin’, 50 Cent has a chance of eventually reaching diamond status. As of 2022, the album had sold over 8.4 million copies according to the RIAA. That means it needs to sell an additional 1.6 million units to hit the 10 million threshold.
Reaching the diamond milestone will require one or more of the following:
- A resurgence in physical sales, potentially driven by an anniversary reissue campaign.
- Major increases in streaming numbers on services like Spotify and Apple Music.
- Bundling the album with merchandise, concert tickets, or other offerings to drive sales.
- A viral moment or nostalgia wave that brings renewed interest to Get Rich or Die Tryin’.
It’s challenging for older albums to have the sustained commercial success needed for diamond certification. But Get Rich or Die Tryin’ stands as one of the seminal rap albums that is most likely to eventually join the diamond club.
Conclusion
In summary, 50 Cent does not currently have a diamond certified album from the RIAA. However, his debut studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ has sold over 8 million copies worldwide and stands a chance of potentially reaching diamond status (10 million units sold) in the future. While 50 Cent does not have a diamond album, he has clearly achieved tremendous commercial success and made an enduring impact on hip hop music. If Get Rich or Die Tryin’ gets a nostalgia-driven boost in sales and streaming numbers, 50 Cent could officially join the diamond album club.