Global music superstar Sean Paul has made RIAA history as his Grammy winning sophomore album “Dutty Rock” is certified triple Platinum by the US music certification body. The album released 20 years ago becomes the first full dancehall project to reach that milestone. Over the years other artists have infused dancehall elements with other genres to reap chart and certification success, but Dutty Rock has a line up of all Billboard top 15 dancehall tracks including “Like Glue”, “Get Busy”, “I’m Still In Love With You” and the BET 106 & Park countdown smash hit “Gimmi The Light.”
The album peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart and is also the first album by a Jamaican released this century to be certified triple platinum. The last Jamaican with an album released this century to sell multi-Platinum in the U.S. is two time Grammy winner Shaggy, whose Hot Shot released on August 8, 2000. The album was certified triple Platinum on January 30, 2001. The Geffen Records release went on to be certified 6x Multi-Platinum on June 5, 2001 by the RIAA.
Both Sean Paul and Shaggy are nominated for Best Reggae Album at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Drake’s dancehall influenced hip hop album Views, has been certified six times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
Dutty Rock debuted at number 26 on the US Billboard 200, selling 65,000 copies in its first week and eventually peaking at number 9 on the chart as well as number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and topping the Canadian Albums Chart. Track 7 “Top of the Game” featuring Rahzel was featured in NBA Live 2004.
“Baby Boy“, a late entry collaboration with Beyoncé became one of the biggest hits of 2003, topping the Billboard Hot 100, spending nine weeks at number one giving the album a boost to sell over 6 million copies worldwide by the end of 2003.
Dutty Rock is also certified Platinum in Canada (300,000) and the U.K. (900,000), 2x Platinum in Europe (2,000,000) and Gold and Platinum Certifications in 13 other countries.
