Travis Scott’s collaboration with Kendrick Lamar became the most certified rap song in history
Travis Scott He has just nailed his name in the history of rap with an unprecedented feat. “Goosebumps“rapper’s partnership with Kendrick Lamar Launched in 2016, it received a 17 × platinum certification in the United States, equivalent to 17 million units sold or reproduced in the country. With this, the track became the rap song with the highest certification of all time by Riaa (Recording Industry Association of America), surpassing the previous record of “God’s Plan”mega-hit of Drake that sported 16 × platinum.
Released as part of the album BIRDS IN THE TRAP SING MCKNIGHT (2016), “Goosebumps“ It was the project’s third single and one of the tracks that consolidated the dark, psychedelic and minimalist aesthetics that would become a trademark of Travis Scott. The music combines ethereal beats and dense synthesizers of Thistle and Cubeatz With introspective verses on fame, desire and anxiety. In addition, it marks one of the few collaborations between La Flame and K-dotthe track became a constant presence in shows, playlists and soundtracks, making a life of its own beyond the album, which also revealed successes such as “Pick Up The Phone“ and “beibs in the trap“.
17 × Platinum: What does record certification mean?
The certification system of the Riaa It is a reference of the music industry to measure the commercial success of music and albums in the US. In short, each certificate corresponds to a volume of units sold or consumed, combining physical sales, paid downloads and streaming.
Since 1989, a single has received a gold record by reaching 500,000 units and platinum disc upon 1 million. Above that, each multiple of one million yields additional platins. The coveted diamond disc recognizes 10 million units, a rare brand reached only by the highest hits. In case of “Goosebumps“17 × Platinum means 17 million units, an extraordinary number that goes far beyond the conventional diamond level.
But how does a 2016 song arrived in such a brand in 2025? The answer is in modern consumption habits. THE Riaa It has included streamings in their accounts since 2013, reflecting changes in the way we hear music. Currently, 150 streams on-demand is equivalent to a unit sold for certification purposes. Like this, “Goosebumps“ It has won much of its numbers through streaming on digital platforms. Not by chance, the track accumulates almost 3 billion reproductions in the Spotify.
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Drake
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Kendrick Lamar
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Travis Scott
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
