The Charm: 15 Rappers That Went Platinum On Their 3rd Album

Drake: Nothing Was the Same (2013)
Lead Single: “Started from the Bottom”

Of course you knew the Golden Child was spearheading this list. Drake may record and socialize with his peers but very few of them are in his league, commercially.

T.I.: Urban Legend (2004)
Lead Single: “Bring ‘Em Out”

At the time of its release, T.I. was shooting upward on the elevator of success. This LP served as a pivotal stepping stone.

DMX: …And Then There Was X (1999)
Lead Single: “What’s My Name?”

Although not as heralded as his previous two albums, X still had most of marbles for this album. The single “Party Up” still gets plenty of burn in movies and clubs. The royalites come in handy for bail money.

Nas: i am… (1999)
Lead Single: “Nas is Life”

There were a lot of things missing on Nas’ third outing but a classic DJ Premier track was not one of them. Before iTunes made it so easy, it just made sense to buy the entire album.

50 Cent: Curtis (2007)
Lead Single: “Straight to the Bank”

The sales for Curtis was mostly generated from a successful marketing ploy, stemming from a “competition” with another high-profile artist who also released his third album on September 11, 2007.

Kanye West: Graduation (2007)
Lead Single: “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”

A 30-year-old Yeezus battled 50 Cent for sales supremacy on September 11, 2007 but it wasn’t necessary for his success. The critical acclaim for the album upped his status in the industry even further than his previous album, Late Registration had.

Snoop Dogg: Da Game is to Be Sold, Not to be Told (1998)
Lead Single: “Still a G Thang”

The music may have been forgettable and the cover is still an eyesore, but Da Game…marks a moment a time when Snoop escaped Death Row for the second time. It is also his first without the “Doggy” in his moniker.

Public Enemy: Fear of a Black Planet (1990)
Lead Single: “Fight the Power”

With the aura of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing leading the charge, the future legacy of Public Enemy was solidified with this LP.

Lil Kim: La Bella Mafia (2003)
Lead Single: “The Jump Off”

Brooklyn’s own Queen B. is creeping on a comeback and her platinum past makes the attempt justifiable.

Busta Rhymes: Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front (1998)
Lead Single: “Gimme Some More”

Bussa Bus was full speed ahead with his career when this apocalyptic party hit stores. It earned him a few Grammy nominations as well.

Cam’ron: Come Home With Me (2003)
Lead Single: “Oh Boy”

When Cam linked up with the Roc, he nabbed his first platinum plaque. Dame Dash most definitely yearns for those days past.

Heavy D & The Boyz: Peaceful Journey (1991)
Lead Single: “Now That We Found Love”

Waterbed Hev didn’t let the death of group member, Trouble T Roy derail the ship. They put New Jack Swing on a resuscitator and scored a megahit.

2Pac: Me Against the World (1995)
Lead Single: “Dear Mama”

The late, great Mr. Shakur was not only primed to turn the rap world upside down and inside out, he was becoming a better artist upon the release of this gem.

The Notorious B.I.G.: Born Again (1999)
Lead Single: “Dead Wrong”

Although it was released posthumously, B.I.G.’s legacy was preserved for a new generation to rap alongside him.

Jay-Z: Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life (1998)
Lead Single: “Can I Get A…”

If there was ever an artist who owes all their success to their strike three, it’s Jay Z. After two notable yet unlucrative albums, he saw his success multiply with a multi-platinum certification.

(5X to be exact.)