In a monumental achievement for K-pop, global superstar Jennie from BLACKPINK has once again rewritten the record books. The singer has broken her own record to become the solo K-pop artist with the most certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Unprecedented Triple Certification from One Album
The latest feat was announced by the RIAA on December 2. Jennie earned her fourth gold plaque for the track 'ExtraL', which features Grammy-nominated rapper Doechii. The song is part of her debut solo album, 'Ruby'. The certification confirms the single has sold over 500,000 units in the United States. In Indian currency, this commercial success translates to an impressive value of approximately 42.4 million INR.
What makes this victory truly historic is that three songs from the same album have now received RIAA recognition. The album 'Ruby', released in March 2025 under OA Entertainment and Columbia Records, has achieved an unprecedented milestone in K-pop. Earlier in August, Jennie secured gold certifications for two other tracks from the album: 'Mantra' and 'Like Jennie'.
Beyond her album, Jennie's collaboration with The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp on 'One of the Girls' has soared even higher, achieving platinum status for crossing one million units. The RIAA awards certifications based on combined sales and streaming numbers, with benchmarks set at 500,000 units for gold, one million for platinum, two million for multi-platinum, and ten million for the elite diamond award.
A Journey of Artistic Independence and Global Domination
This wave of success follows Jennie's bold career move in 2023, when she departed from YG Entertainment and founded her own independent label, Odd Atelier. Her debut full-length album 'Ruby'—named after her middle name—is a deeply personal, 15-track project. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar in October, Jennie revealed the intense dedication behind the album, spending grueling hours in the studio from morning to night, perfecting her vocals.
She collaborated with an elite roster of producers, including El Guincho, Diplo, and Mike Will Made It. To highlight her raw vocal talent, the album later spawned a special 'Jennie Only Audio' version, which strips away all featured artists, presenting her artistry without any collaborative embellishments.
Conquering New Stages: The European Victory Lap
The 28-year-old icon is not slowing down. She has confirmed a major performance at one of Europe's most prestigious music festivals. Jennie is set to headline at Spain's Mad Cool Festival on July 9, 2026, in Madrid. She will share the stage with global acts like Florence and the Machine, Lorde, and Halsey.
This booking has sent fans into a frenzy, scrambling for tickets while also speculating about potential schedule clashes if Jennie and other headliners perform simultaneously on different stages. Her position as a headliner at such an influential European festival cements her status as K-pop's premier solo ambassador, capable of drawing massive international crowds alongside Western pop royalty.
Jennie's journey from a YG Entertainment trainee to an independent label owner and record-breaking global artist marks a new chapter not just for her, but for the entire K-pop industry, proving the immense and growing power of solo artists on the world stage.
