On April 8, 2025, the music world witnessed a seismic achievement as Drake, the Canadian rap titan, etched his name even deeper into the annals of history. Today, he became the first artist to surpass 500 million RIAA-certified units across albums, singles, and features—an unprecedented feat that underscores his dominance in the digital age. Alongside this, Drake also set a new record for the most cumulative weeks charting on the Billboard 200, reflecting the enduring appeal of his catalog.
These milestones aren’t just numbers; they’re a testament to a career that has redefined success in hip-hop and popular music. Let’s dive into what these achievements mean, how they stack up against other rappers, and how Drake’s past albums and hits have paved the way for this historic moment.
The 500 Million RIAA Units Milestone: A Digital Dynasty
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certifies units based on sales and streaming equivalents—1 unit equals one album sale, 10 track sales, or 1,500 streams. For Drake to reach 500 million units across his discography as a lead artist and collaborator is a jaw-dropping accomplishment. To put this into perspective, Rihanna, who sits in second place among digital singles artists, has 166.5 million certified units, while Eminem trails closely with 166 million.
Even The Beatles, the gold standard for album sales, have 183 million certified album units. Drake’s 500 million total obliterates these figures, blending the streaming era’s power with traditional sales in a way no one else has.
Comparatively, other rappers like Jay-Z (who has 36 million album units) and Kanye West (whose exact total is harder to pin down but likely hovers below 100 million across all formats) don’t come close. Eminem, a digital singles juggernaut in his own right, has a strong claim with his 166 million, but Drake’s sheer volume—spanning solo work, features, and a relentless release schedule—sets him apart. His closest rap contemporaries, like Kendrick Lamar or Lil Wayne, lack the same breadth of certified output, with Kendrick’s meticulous approach yielding fewer releases and Wayne’s peak predating the streaming boom.
Drake’s journey to 500 million began with his 2009 mixtape So Far Gone, which introduced hits like “Best I Ever Had” (certified 6x platinum) and “Successful” (2x platinum). His debut album, Thank Me Later (2010), went platinum with tracks like “Over” and “Find Your Love,” but it was Take Care (2011) that turbocharged his ascent. Certified 8x platinum, the album’s title track (7x platinum) and “Headlines” (8x platinum) became cultural touchstones.
Fast forward to Scorpion (2018), a double album that’s 5x platinum with smashes like “God’s Plan” (15x platinum) and “In My Feelings” (13x platinum), and you see how Drake mastered the streaming era. His latest, Some Sexy Songs 4 U (2025), with PartyNextDoor, debuted at number one, adding to his tally with hits like “Gimme a Hug” and “Nokia.”
This milestone isn’t just about volume—it’s about consistency. Drake’s ability to churn out multiplatinum singles (“Hotline Bling,” 10x platinum; “One Dance,” 9x platinum) while maintaining album success is unmatched. Other rappers might dominate a single metric—Eminem with singles, Jay-Z with albums—but Drake’s hybrid dominance is a new benchmark.
Most Cumulative Weeks on the Billboard 200: The Longevity King
The second milestone—most cumulative weeks charting on the Billboard 200—speaks to Drake’s staying power. As of April 8, 2025, his albums have collectively spent more weeks on the chart than any other artist’s, surpassing legends like The Beatles (who held the record with over 1,300 weeks) and modern giants like Taylor Swift. Exact figures are still being tallied, but estimates suggest Drake’s total exceeds 1,500 weeks, driven by a catalog that refuses to fade.
Consider his longest-charting projects: Take Care has logged over 578 weeks, Nothing Was the Same hit 505, More Life reached 350, and Scorpion crossed 300—all by early 2024. Add in Views (13 weeks at number one, over 400 total), Certified Lover Boy (still charting since 2021), and For All the Dogs (a 2023 juggernaut), and you see a discography that’s a permanent fixture. Even older releases like Thank Me Later and So Far Gone (the EP version) resurface periodically, buoyed by streaming and nostalgia.
How does this compare to other rappers? Jay-Z’s albums, while iconic, don’t match this longevity—The Blueprint and Reasonable Doubt charted impressively but lack the sustained presence of Drake’s work. Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show have racked up hundreds of weeks, but his total falls short of Drake’s sprawl. Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City has lingered for over 500 weeks, a remarkable feat, but his smaller discography can’t compete with Drake’s output. Lil Wayne, a mentor to Drake, saw his Tha Carter series chart well, yet the streaming era shifted the game in Drake’s favor.
Drake’s Billboard 200 record is a story of adaptability. Albums like Honestly, Nevermind (2022) and Her Loss (with 21 Savage) embraced new sounds—house music, trap—keeping him relevant. His knack for dropping surprise projects (If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late, Dark Lane Demo Tapes) ensures constant chart activity. No other rapper has balanced quantity, quality, and cultural resonance to this degree.
Comparing Drake to His Peers: A League of His Own
Drake’s dual milestones invite comparison to hip-hop’s elite. Let’s break it down:
- Eminem: The Detroit legend boasts 13 number-one Hot 100 hits (tied with Drake) and a massive singles haul, but his album certifications (around 50 million) and chart weeks lag behind. Eminem’s peak was pre-streaming; Drake thrives in its wake.
- Jay-Z: With 14 number-one Billboard 200 albums (tied with Drake and Taylor Swift), Jay-Z’s legacy is titanic. Yet his certified units (36 million albums, fewer singles) and chart longevity don’t match Drake’s streaming-driven stats.
- Kanye West: Kanye’s innovation rivals Drake’s, but his certified units (likely under 100 million) and erratic release schedule limit his totals. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and The College Dropout endure, but not at Drake’s scale.
- Kendrick Lamar: Kendrick’s 2024 feud with Drake showcased his lyrical prowess, and GNX hit number one. But with fewer releases, his certified units and chart weeks pale next to Drake’s relentless output.
- Lil Wayne: Wayne’s influence on Drake is undeniable, with hits like “Lollipop” (10x platinum) and Tha Carter III (6x platinum). Still, his pre-streaming prime means his numbers don’t rival Drake’s modern metrics.
Drake’s edge lies in his versatility—rap, R&B, pop—and his embrace of streaming. While peers excel in specific arenas, none match his across-the-board dominance.
The Hits That Built the Empire
Drake’s past hits are the backbone of these milestones. “Best I Ever Had” launched him, but “Take Care” (featuring Rihanna) and “Started from the Bottom” solidified his stardom. “Hotline Bling” became a meme-driven juggernaut, “One Dance” ruled summer 2016, and “God’s Plan” showcased his philanthropy and chart prowess. Scorpion’s “In My Feelings” sparked a viral dance challenge, while Certified Lover Boy’s “Way 2 Sexy” kept him atop the Hot 100. For All the Dogs delivered “First Person Shooter” (tying Michael Jackson’s male solo record), and Some Sexy Songs 4 U added fresh top-10 entries.
These tracks—80 top-10 Hot 100 hits by 2025—dwarf competitors. Taylor Swift has 59, Madonna 38, The Beatles 35. Among rappers, Drake’s 13 number-ones lead Eminem’s 5 and Jay-Z’s 4. His hits don’t just chart; they shape culture.
What’s Next for Drake?
At 38, Drake shows no signs of slowing. His 2025 Wireless Festival headline (selling out in minutes) and Some Sexy Songs 4 U’s success suggest more milestones ahead. Could he hit 600 million RIAA units? Extend his Billboard 200 record to 2,000 weeks? With OVO Sound and a knack for reinvention, the sky’s the limit.
In 2025, Drake isn’t just a rapper—he’s a statistical anomaly, a cultural force, and a blueprint for modern success. His 500 million RIAA units and Billboard 200 record aren’t endpoints; they’re chapters in a saga that’s still unfolding. For now, he stands alone, a king atop hip-hop’s mountain, with numbers that echo louder than words.
- Why Drake’s Selfie Stirred Speculation About His Upcoming Album Iceman, Expected in 2025, Especially After His Recent 10th Diamond Certification - June 29, 2025
- What Commoner, Artist like Singers Can Learn from Madison Prewett’s Transformative Addiction Therapy Experience - June 28, 2025
- Noah Centineo Set to Star as Ken in Legendary’s Street Fighter Reboot: A New Era for the Iconic Franchise - June 26, 2025
