After much speculation, debate and one major rule change, Jay-Z's "Magna Carta Holy Grail" has officially gone platinum.
The Recording Industry Association of America awarded Jay-Z his 12th platinum plaque on Tuesday.
Under the RIAA's old rules, Sean Carter would have had to wait 30 days from the official release to be properly audited and awarded his status and wall-hanging. However, earlier in July, the certification company altered its rules to instantly qualify appropriate pre-sales towards gold and platinum status.
Also read: Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta' Samsung Deal Prompts RIAA to Revise Rules on Digital Sales
For this studio album, the rapper teamed up with Samsung, who agreed to purchase a million digital copies for its Android users. While the album was free for the Samsung customers, the company paid Jay-Z and Roc Nation $5 for each copy, which qualified each for the RIAA as a legitmate "sale."
Here is the announcement via Twitter from the RIAA, an explanation from its Gold & Platinum Program Liz Kennedy and Jay-Z's label, Roc Nation:
It’s official, see photo. #magnacartaholygrail is @S_C_‘s 12th @RIAA Platinum album award. http://t.co/3cJRZNkIvA pic.twitter.com/DdIfOsXVJ8
– RIAA (@RIAA) July 9, 2013
It's official @S_C_'s #MagnaCarta… Holy Grail album is certified platinum by the @RIAA #newrules #factsonly http://t.co/gjLrmkhDVo
– Roc Nation (@RocNation) July 9, 2013
Music biz changing, so must @RIAA‘s G&P Prgm so long as core principles met.Whether incld streams, aligning dig songs & albums.#musicbiz2pt0
– Liz Kennedy (@LizSKennedy) July 9, 2013
Over past few days @RIAA & auditors reviewed application, confirmed all G&P rules met & awarded @S_C_‘s #magnacartaholygrail Platinum today
– Liz Kennedy (@LizSKennedy) July 9, 2013
@S_C_‘s #magnacartaholygrail certified @RIAA Platinum today. 1M++ US fans have downloaded the Samsung purchased album via @GooglePlay!
– Liz Kennedy (@LizSKennedy) July 9, 2013