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In Case You Were Wondering, Here's How Jay-Z's '4:44' Went Platinum So Fast

All in the family (network).

Jay-Z’s victorious 4:44 release is still sitting high atop playlists, other music-streaming services and its RIAA-certified platinum throne that it reached in less than a week.

But while we’re well aware that Hov is one of hip-hop’s most savvy business moguls, fans are still in awe of how quickly the project climbed to such elite status so quickly. Allow DJ Booth to explain the role that his Tidal collaborator, Sprint, played in the career milestone.

According to the site, Sprint’s purchase of one million copies of the album, made exclusively available to its customers through its joint deal with Tidal, helped the platinum certification along. Making the album available in an exclusive release to Sprint customers means much more rapid streaming and download numbers, a considerable contribution to certification statuses. As cited by DJ Booth, a similar procedure took place with his 2013 album Magna Carta Holy Grail, one million digital copies of which were purchased and distributed by Samsung. According to an RIAA spokesperson, the site adds, the certification program deems it perfectly legit.

“Under the program’s rules, the artist needs to be compensated and there needs to be demonstrated consumer demand in the United States, either for an on-demand stream or a sale,” the spokesperson reportedly commented. “A sale counts toward a certification if purchased directly by the customer or a business can purchase the album or song and offer it to fans who must take affirmative steps to acquire the album or song. Fans participated, took action and downloaded Jay-Z’s album offered by Sprint."

Can you hear him now? 

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