Jay-Z Goes Platinum In Just Five Days

     New album anyone? Jay-Z's new album 4:44 has gone platinum within just five days of its release. The album was released on Tidal, Jay-Z's music streaming website, on June, 30th. Initially, the album was exclusively available to Tidal subscribers and Sprint customers only. You either had to be an existing Tidal subscriber, or a Sprint customer to listen to the release. The RIAA,better known as the Recording Industry Association of America announced the triumph on Wednesday. 
      According to the RIAA 1.5 billion streams of the 4:44 album were streamed in the short span, resulting in Jay-Z going platinum. Partnering with Sprint definitely elevated streaming traffic helping the digital album reach this peak. Sprint customers had the opportunity to create a Tidal account and listen with a free trial. As for non-subscribers, they weren't totally left in the dark. They were given an opportunity to partake in the listening via promo code listed on the Tidal website. Listeners could download the album directly from the website with the code, but it expired on Sunday. 
    Jay-Z was presented with the platinum certificate for selling one million units, according to the RIAA and CEO Cary Sherman. This is Jay-Z's thirteenth solo studio album to reach the platinum level. The 47-year-old rapper released a personal album this time around. It addresses such topics as infidelity with Beyonce-which was addressed in her critically acclaimed album Lemonade, the elevator fight with her sister Solange, and said drama with Kanye West among other things of course. Since this album has been deemed such a hit, make sure you go give the album a listen if you haven't already!

~Ashley Lambert