The morning light filters through the wide studio windows at OVO Sound’s headquarters in downtown Toronto as I wait, notepad in hand. The location itself seems to vibrate with cultural significance—the epicenter of a global music phenomenon that transformed how we understand Canadian identity on the world stage.
“We used to joke that you could count the number of global Canadian hip-hop stars on zero hands,” laughs Marcus Johnson, a veteran music producer who’s worked with Drake since his early days. “Now this kid from Forest Hill has more diamond records than any artist in history.”
On May 28, 2025, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) officially confirmed what many music industry insiders had anticipated: Drake has broken the all-time record for diamond-certified singles, with ten tracks each surpassing 10 million units in combined sales and streaming equivalents.
The achievement represents not just personal success but a cultural watershed moment. Diamond certification—the RIAA’s highest honor for a single—requires 10 million units sold, a benchmark so ambitious that even legendary artists might attain it once in their careers, if at all.
“What makes this unprecedented is both the quantity and the timespan,” explains Dr. Melissa Chen, professor of contemporary music studies at the University of British Columbia. “We’re witnessing ten diamond certifications accumulated over roughly 15 years, which suggests not just hits but sustained cultural relevance across changing music landscapes.”
Drake’s tenth diamond single, a collaboration with Nigerian artist Burna Boy titled “Global Currency,” pushed him past the previous record-holder, Post Malone, who held nine diamond certifications. The achievement spans singles from Drake’s early breakout “Best I Ever Had” (2009) through mid-career streaming juggernauts like “God’s Plan” to more recent global collaborations.
Walking through Toronto’s neighborhoods—from Scarborough to The Annex—I’ve witnessed firsthand how Drake’s success resonates differently here than elsewhere. For many young Torontonians, his journey represents possibilities previously unimagined in Canadian entertainment.
“Before Drake, making it big meant leaving for the States and hoping they’d accept you,” says Jayden Williams, 23, a music producer working out of a small Kensington Market studio. “He flipped the script. Made Toronto the destination. Made our slang, our neighborhoods, our whole vibe something the world wanted to understand.”
The diamond certifications span a remarkably diverse range of musical styles, showcasing Drake’s chameleon-like ability to evolve while maintaining his core audience. From the vulnerability of “Hotline Bling” to the dancehall-infused “One Dance” to trap-heavy collaborations with Future and Travis Scott, the certified hits display versatility that industry analysts credit for his longevity.
“What’s remarkable about Drake’s diamond catalog is how it charts the evolution of popular music itself,” notes entertainment analyst Sophia Rivera from Nielsen SoundScan. “Each diamond hit captures a distinct moment in how we consumed music—from downloads to streaming to short-form video platforms. He’s adapted to each technological shift while maintaining cultural relevance.”
Statistics from Billboard and RIAA confirm Drake’s dominance extends beyond these ten songs. He currently holds the record for most entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with 293 songs making the list—more than The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Jay-Z combined. According to Spotify, his music has been streamed over 75 billion times globally.
The economic impact of Drake’s success extends beyond personal wealth. Tourism Toronto estimates “Drake tourism” generates approximately $440 million annually for the city, with fans visiting locations mentioned in lyrics or featured in videos.
The impact on Canadian music infrastructure has been equally significant. Since Drake’s rise, investment in Canadian music studios has increased 47%, according to the Canadian Independent Music Association, while applications to audio engineering and music business programs have doubled at Toronto’s major universities.
“What people outside the industry don’t fully grasp is how Drake fundamentally changed the business model,” explains entertainment attorney Samantha Peterson. “Before him, Canadian artists typically needed American validation. He created a self-sustaining ecosystem where Canadian talent could develop and distribute globally while maintaining domestic control.”
Not everyone celebrates the milestone unreservedly. Critics note that several diamond-certified tracks feature controversial lyrics or were released during periods of public feuds with other artists. Some music historians question whether streaming-era certification standards can be meaningfully compared to physical sales metrics from previous decades.
“These certifications reflect consumption patterns, not necessarily artistic achievement,” argues music critic Terrence Washington. “In the streaming era, songs can accumulate massive numbers through algorithmic playlisting and repeat listening that previous generations of artists couldn’t access.”
Still, for many young Canadian artists, the achievement represents possibility. When I visit The Remix Project, a Toronto arts incubator for underserved youth, studio manager Alysha Robinson points out photos of Drake visiting years ago.
“For these kids, seeing someone who looks like them, talks like them, achieve this level of success while remaining connected to the city—it’s everything,” Robinson says. “The diamond certifications matter less than what they represent: that Canadian stories have global value.”
As darkness falls over Toronto, the CN Tower lights up in champagne gold—the signature color of Drake’s OVO brand—commemorating the record-breaking achievement. The city’s skyline transforms into a visual reminder of how thoroughly one artist’s success has become intertwined with a national cultural identity.
“Ten years ago, we were still explaining where Toronto was,” laughs Johnson as we conclude our interview. “Now people around the world are using our slang, wearing our brands, trying to understand our references. That’s what those diamond records really represent—not just sales, but cultural impact.”
