In the United States, over 100 songs have achieved the remarkable feat of selling 10 million units and earning the coveted Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Among these, four have a distinctive Dancehall influence: Ed Sheeran‘s “Shape Of You,” Justin Bieber‘s “Sorry,” French Montana‘s “Unforgettable” featuring Swae Lee, and Drake’s “One Dance” featuring Wizkid and Kyla.
These renowned Afrobeats, Hip Hop, and Pop artists seamlessly incorporate Dancehall elements into their music, achieving immense sales success. Unfortunately, mainstream media often overlooks or mislabels Dancehall’s impact on popular music, branding it as “tropical pop” or “tropical house.” This misrepresentation does a disservice to the artists and the rich cultural legacy of Dancehall.
Let’s delve into the specifics of these four RIAA Diamond-certified Dancehall-influenced singles:
“Shape Of You” by Ed Sheeran
Released on January 6, 2017, as a lead single from his third studio album, ÷ (Divide), “Shape Of You” by Ed Sheeran quickly became a global sensation. First Certified Diamond on January 24, 2019, and now Certified 13x Platinum as of September 29, 2023, this up-tempo pop song features dancehall beats, with lyrics centered around falling in love with someone’s body shape. The song received critical acclaim for its catchy melody and marked Sheeran’s most successful single to date, reaching over 1 billion streams on Spotify and achieving multi-platinum certifications worldwide.
“Sorry” by Justin Bieber
Certified Diamond on March 29, 2021, “Sorry” by Justin Bieber, initially labeled as a Caribbean-flavored house beat, is unequivocally a Dancehall song. Despite its success, and now crossing 11 x Platinum status as of March 6, 2023, controversies arose as the music video failed to credit well-established Dancehall moves, leading to accusations of cultural appropriation. Nevertheless, the song became a global phenomenon, breaking records and topping charts, sparking a renewed interest in Dancehall across the music industry.
“Unforgettable” by French Montana featuring Swae Lee
French Montana’s “Unforgettable,” featuring Swae Lee, achieved Diamond certification on August 8, 2022. Released on April 7, 2017, this Dancehall-influenced hip hop song garnered multi-platinum certifications before reaching Diamond status. It is now certified 11x Platinum as of July 31, 2023 and the accompanying music video, shot in Uganda, surpassed 1.4 billion streams on YouTube, featuring the Triplets Ghetto Kids dance troupe. French Montana’s accomplishment is not only a personal triumph but also a significant milestone for Moroccan and Dancehall music.
“One Dance” by Drake featuring Wizkid & Kyla
Drake’s “One Dance,” featuring Wizkid and Kyla, took the world by storm in 2016, achieving Diamond certification on December 8, 2022. Co-written and co-produced by the artists, this Dancehall, Afro-fusion, and hip hop single topped charts globally, making Wizkid the first African artist certified Diamond in the U.S. The track is now certified 11x Platinum by the RIAA and its success underscores the genre-blurring impact of Dancehall on mainstream music.
Look out for more RIAA Diamond-certified Dancehall-influenced singles this year from acts like Shaggy and Rihanna exemplifying the genre’s profound impact on global music, challenging the tendency to relegate its influence to mere subgenres.
