The Weeknd has earned multiple platinum certifications across key markets, reflecting millions of units sold and streamed. In the United States, the RIAA has awarded him several platinum and multi-platinum plaques for singles and albums, while Music Canada recognizes similar success north of the border. International markets including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Brazil have also issued platinum honors. Below is a concise verification of notable certifications, with counts, titles, and sales or shipment benchmarks used by each authority.
Understanding Platinum Certifications
A platinum certification typically represents a fixed sales or shipment threshold in a given territory. In the U.S., the RIAA requires 1,000,000 units for platinum, where units combine pure sales, track-equivalent streams, and video-equivalent streams. Canada uses 80,000 units for platinum, and the U.K. moved to a units-based system that incorporates on-demand streams. Australia currently requires 70,000 units for platinum. These thresholds can change over time as methodology evolves, so figures below reflect the rules in effect at certification date.
The Weeknd’s Certified Achievements in the United States
In the United States, the RIAA has recognized The Weeknd with multiple platinum and multi-platinum awards for albums, singles, and video longform titles. His catalog includes several 2× platinum, 3× platinum, and higher honors across different release formats. Titles earned under previous labels and distribution partnerships are included, as are longform video achievements where applicable.
RIAA Platinum and Multi-Platinum Highlights
| Title | Certification | Threshold (units) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| After Hours | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000 | Album; reflects combined traditional and on-demand audio/video streams under current RIAA rules |
| Beauty Behind the Madness | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000 | Album; strong catalog performance |
| Starboy (feat. Daft Punk) | 8× Platinum | 8,000,000 | Single; one of his highest certifications |
| The Hills | Diamond | 10,000,000 | Single; equivalent to 10 million units under the current points system |
International Platinum and Multi-Platinum Recognitions
Beyond the United States, The Weeknd has received platinum and multi-platinum honors in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and several other territories. In Canada, Music Canada issues platinum and multi-platinum plaques based on unit thresholds that account for sales, streaming, and radio airplay. In the U.K., BPI awards are tied to units that include on-demand streams, while ARIA in Australia uses a combination of sales and streams. Brazil’s Pro-Música thresholds are also unit-based and may include streaming and track sales. These honors demonstrate his reach across multiple regions.
Selected International Certifications Overview
| Country | Certifying Body | Title | Certification | Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Music Canada | After Hours | Platinum | 80,000 |
| United Kingdom | BPI | Starboy (feat. Daft Punk) | 3× Platinum | 1,800,000 |
| Australia | ARIA | After Hours | 4× Platinum | 280,000 |
| Brazil | Pro-Música | The Highlights | Diamond | 160,000 |
How Streaming Factors Into Platinum
Modern certifications increasingly incorporate on-demand audio and video streams. Under current RIAA rules, each 1,800 on-demand streams from subscription or ad-supported services typically count as one album-equivalent unit. In Canada, streaming makes up a defined portion of each unit, and in the U.K. and Australia, streams convert into units under BPI and ARIA methodologies. This shift means albums like After Hours accrue platinum and multi-platinum status faster through sustained streaming than physical sales alone would allow.
Platinum vs Diamond and Other Cert Tiers
Platinum sits just below diamond in most tier structures, but the gap can be large depending on the market. In the U.S., diamond equals 10,000,000 units, while in Canada and Australia it is commonly 500,000 or 1,000,000 depending on format. The Weeknd has reached multi-platinum and, in the case of The Hills in the U.S., diamond status. Understanding each market’s thresholds helps avoid confusion between similarly named awards in different countries.
Where to Check Current and Historical Platinums
For the most accurate, up-to-date confirmation, consult the official databases of each certifying body: RIAA for the U.S., Music Canada for Canada, BPI for the U.K., ARIA for Australia, and Pro-Música for Brazil. These sources list titles, certifications, dates, and the exact thresholds applied. Label press releases and fan citations can sometimes misstate counts or dates, so primary sources are recommended.
Key Takeaways
- The Weeknd holds multiple platinum and multi-platinum certifications in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, among other markets.
- RIAA platinum in the U.S. requires 1,000,000 units, combining sales and streams; similar logic applies abroad with different thresholds.
- Albums such as After Hours and Beauty Behind the Madness, plus hits like Starboy and The Hills, contribute significantly to his platinum tally.
- Streaming now plays a major role in achieving and maintaining platinum status, especially for long-term catalog performance.
Because certification rules and thresholds can change, always refer to the official body for the latest methodology and titles. This verified overview offers a durable foundation for understanding The Weeknd’s platinum achievements across global markets.