Five years after igniting one of music’s biggest cultural conversations, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” has reached a new milestone. The Recording Industry Association of America has officially certified the blockbuster collaboration Diamond, recognizing more than 10 million certified units in the United States.
The certification adds another historic achievement to a song that dominated charts, fueled online debate and reshaped expectations for women in hip-hop. Released in August 2020, “WAP” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remained one of the year’s defining records while generating record-breaking streaming numbers.
The RIAA’s Diamond designation is reserved for recordings that reach 10 million certified units. Few rap songs have earned the distinction. The certification underscores the song’s continued commercial strength years after its release.
A Record That Changed the Conversation
When “WAP” arrived, it immediately sparked widespread discussion across music, politics and popular culture. Supporters praised its unapologetic celebration of female sexuality and artistic freedom. Critics argued the lyrics were too explicit for mainstream audiences.
The debate only amplified interest in the record.
Cardi B addressed the criticism shortly after its release, defending both the song and her creative choices.
“I don’t cook, I don’t clean, but let me tell you how I got this ring,” Cardi raps on the track, delivering one of the song’s most recognizable lines.
Megan Thee Stallion also contributed several memorable verses that helped define the collaboration’s lasting appeal.
The music video became an instant viral sensation. It featured elaborate sets and celebrity appearances from Kylie Jenner, Normani, Rosalía, Mulatto, Sukihana and Rubi Rose. Fans dissected every visual detail across social media, helping the video accumulate hundreds of millions of views.
The song also inspired countless dance challenges, memes and reaction videos. Those moments cemented its place as a defining release of the streaming era.
Lasting Impact Beyond the Charts
The Diamond certification reflects more than sales.
“WAP” expanded conversations about ownership, censorship and double standards surrounding women in hip-hop. Many artists cited the record as evidence that female rappers could dominate commercially while remaining unapologetically authentic.
The collaboration also strengthened the bond between Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. Both artists were already major stars before the release. Together, they produced one of the decade’s biggest singles.
The record has continued finding new audiences through streaming platforms. Its popularity never fully disappeared after its chart run ended.
Cardi later included “WAP” on her long-awaited sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, explaining that fans wanted the hit to have a permanent home on an album. She addressed criticism over including the older single by writing, “WAP and Up are two of my biggest songs, my fans have been asking me to put them on an album. They deserve a home.”
For Cardi, the certification adds another Diamond honor to a career already filled with chart milestones. For Megan, it represents another landmark achievement in a catalog that continues to influence contemporary rap.
More importantly, the milestone confirms what fans and industry observers have argued for years. “WAP” was not simply a viral moment.
It became one of the most commercially successful and culturally influential hip-hop songs of its generation. Its Diamond certification now places it among an elite group of recordings whose impact extends well beyond the charts.