Nicki Minaj has achieved another major milestone in her illustrious career, earning her third Diamond plaque from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The honor comes as her 2012 pop-rap hit, Starships, officially surpassed 10 million sales in the United States on Monday, November 18.
This latest accolade places Minaj among a select group of artists with multiple Diamond certifications. Her journey to this achievement began with her 2010 smash hit Super Bass, her first Diamond record in 2021.
Earlier this year, her feature on Jessie J’s ‘Bang Bang,’ alongside Ariana Grande, also hit the 10-million sales mark, solidifying her legacy in the music industry.
While Starships was a commercial triumph, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and dominating charts worldwide, it has been a source of conflict for Minaj.
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The song’s release in 2012 sparked a notable feud with Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg, who criticized it as a departure from traditional hip-hop and called it a sellout move. This criticism led Minaj to cancel her scheduled performance at Summer Jam that year.
Over the years, Minaj has been vocal about her disdain for the track, expressing regret about recording it. Earlier this year, during a New Year’s Eve performance in Miami, she made headlines by abruptly cutting off the song after starting to perform it, signaling her continued discomfort with the hit.
Despite her personal feelings, ‘Starships’ remains a fan favorite and a defining moment in her career. It blends vibrant pop beats with her signature rap style. The song’s enduring appeal among fans has cemented its place in music history.
