RIAA Names YoungBoy Never Broke Again the Most Certified Rapper in History
YoungBoy Never Broke Again has reached a milestone that places him at the very top of rap’s modern record books: the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) confirmed this week that the Baton Rouge rapper now holds more Gold and Platinum certifications than any other rapper in history, surpassing figures such as Kanye West, Drake, and Jay-Z. The distinction reflects the cumulative impact of his prolific output rather than a single blockbuster release, with a career built on consistency, volume, and an unusually devoted audience.
The announcement arrives just days after YoungBoy released Slime Cry, his eighth official studio album, which dropped on Jan. 16. The project follows Deshawn, a mixtape released in August 2025 and hosted by DJ Khaled. Taken together, they extend a catalog that is already among the most expansive in contemporary hip-hop. By conservative counts, YoungBoy has released more than 30 full-length projects between albums and mixtapes, along with over 100 singles, a pace few mainstream artists have even attempted, let alone sustained.
The RIAA’s certification system measures how often music is consumed, with Gold awarded at 500,000 units and Platinum at one million. YoungBoy’s dominance in this metric underscores how frequently his music is streamed and purchased, often immediately upon release. Unlike many peers who space albums years apart, YoungBoy has built his career around constant engagement, maintaining relevance through an almost uninterrupted flow of new material.
Live performances have also played a significant role in reinforcing his stature. YoungBoy wrapped up the Make America Slime Again arena tour in November, a 17-date run that sold more than 230,000 tickets and grossed over $28 million, according to Billboard. While the tour was not without controversy, including show cancellations and a widely reported audience altercation, attendance figures reflected sustained demand. Critics noted the intensity of his connection with fans, particularly younger listeners who see him as a generational voice.
Beyond music, YoungBoy has also made visible efforts to reinvest in the communities most affected by the violence often referenced in his work. Over the past year, he has donated tens of thousands of dollars to anti-violence and youth-focused organizations in cities including Atlanta and Dallas. While these gestures do not erase controversy, they add complexity to an artist often reduced to headlines about output or legal trouble.
Measured across years of releases rather than a single commercial peak, his certification record reflects a sustained presence in contemporary rap. In an era where longevity is increasingly defined by consumption patterns, the RIAA’s acknowledgment places YoungBoy among the most commercially impactful figures of his generation.
