“Look at Me Now” by Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes has officially been certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), marking Busta Rhymes’ first time reaching the coveted status.
The single has now moved over 10 million equivalent units in the United States through a combination of sales and streams as of May 5, 2025 according to the Recording Industry Association Of America.
It brings Lil Wayne’s certified Diamond singles total to four and it is Brown’s second.
Released February 1, 2011 as the second single from Brown’s Grammy-winning album F.A.M.E., “Look at Me Now” was immediately hailed for its high-energy, genre-blending production helmed by Diplo and Afrojack, and for the rapid-fire lyrical assault delivered by Busta Rhymes, which has since become one of the most iconic verses of his career.
The track peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped the Hot Rap Songs and R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts, and won multiple accolades including Best Collaboration and Viewer’s Choice at the 2011 BET Awards. At the BET Hip Hop Awards, it won both the People’s Champ and Perfect Combo awards, while also earning two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
Critical Reception
“Look at Me Now” was widely recognized as a highlight on F.A.M.E. and a standout crossover hip-hop single. Jon Caramanica of The New York Times praised the track’s “insidiously catchy production,” while Yahoo! Music’s Tom Howard called it “the album’s standout track…with some truly excellent bleepy production.” MTV UK named it an “uptempo dance-floor filler” with “unforgettable beats.”
While some critics took issue with Brown’s lyrical delivery compared to his co-stars, nearly all agreed that Busta Rhymes’ performance was electrifying. Idolator referred to his verse as “razor sharp,” and IGN noted Busta as “suddenly resurgent,” stealing the spotlight.
Even among mixed reviews, the song’s infectious hook, heavy club rotation, and viral music video helped solidify its cultural footprint. It later made year-end best song lists from The New York Times, NPR, and Rap-Up Magazine, where it ranked No. 4.
For Busta Rhymes, after decades in the game, the Brooklyn-born rap icon now joins the elite group of rappers with a Diamond-certified single — a club that includes Eminem, Jay-Z, Drake, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B.
