NBA YoungBoy is etching his name alongside legends, officially earning more RIAA certifications than two of the best rappers of our time: North Carolina’s J. Cole and Atlanta trap pioneer Future.
The Baton Rouge native’s new mixtape Colors was a huge moment for 22-year-old this year. Despite being on house arrest in Utah since October, YB is winning regardless of his time hunkered down, obtaining 99 RIAA certifications and selling over 62.5 million certified units in his career — more than both J. Cole (55.5 million) and Future (58 million).
Top has also accumulated more platinum and gold certifications than both icons. For platinum honors, YB has 28 plaques, as Future holds 24 and Cole with 23. As for gold certifications, YB has 71 plaques compared to Future’s 30 and Cole’s 42. However, Future is the only artist of the pack to have a diamond-certified song.
YoungBoy has been in the mainstream spotlight for just over four years now — and in that short period of time — he has developed one of the most impressive resumes in music. Known for his emotionally distinctive sound, extremely loyal fanbase and consistency in dropping music, YB surpassing Cole and Future comes as no surprise considering his output and chart triumphs as of late.
While Cole and Pluto have certainly built Hall of Fame level discographies — consisting of dozens of Billboard-charting hits and countless cultural events — the Louisiana superstar possesses a die-hard following that never ceases to give in. On top of his status as the King of YouTube — holding the title as the top-charting artist on the platform — YB is well on his way to become one of the most influential artists of our generation at this rate.
In the aftermath of Colors, YB uploaded a new track to his ever-so-popular YouTube page Tuesday (Feb. 8). “Mr Grim Reaper” sits at just under three minutes long as YoungBoy decides to slow things down and reflect on many things that have been bothering him — such as friends and family who were taken from him too soon, and how these events have left him feeling heartless.
As NBA YoungBoy continues to break records, change up his style, sound and aesthetic, appreciate his grind as he continues to deliver new music and build a legacy like no other.
Check out “Mr Grim Reaper” below!
