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Rihanna Awarded for 100 Million Record Sales

Def Jam honors its marquee pop act for stunning achievement days before her new album drops.

(Photo: Enrique RC, PacificCoastNews.com)

Rihanna’s shining bright like a diamond.

Last night, the Barbadian pop star was awarded by her label, Def Jam, for a huge landmark: selling 100 million records over her career. Wearing an oversize, reddish sheepskin coat, a beaming Rihanna showed off a massive plaque for paparazzi gathered outside her Manhattan hotel. The plaque showcased each of her six albums, which have collectively sold more than 25 million worldwide. Boosted by 11 hits that topped the Billboard Hot 100, she’s also sold more than 60 million digital singles globally.

The honor coincided with the release of the video for “Diamonds,” the first single from Rihanna’s forthcoming seventh new album, Unapologetic. The LP’s artwork, track list and snippets of some songs leaked Wednesday. The 15-song set, which drops Nov. 17, will feature appearances by Eminem, Future, Mikky Ekko and, perhaps most notably, old (or is it reignited?) flame Chris Brown.

Rihanna’s embarking on a wall-to-wall promotional plan to push the new album. Last night, after lugging the huge plaque to her hotel, she performed at a Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Later this month, she’s launching the 777 mini-tour in honor of Unapologetic, her seventh studio album in seven years. The run will see Rihanna perform seven gigs in seven different countries over seven days. She’ll be traveling in a Boeing 777, of course. A Nov. 14 show in London is the only officially confirmed tour date so far.

If “Diamonds,” which is quickly climbing up the charts, is any indication, seven may indeed be Rihanna’s lucky number.

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