Subscribe

Wired 25: 25 “Famous” Rappers Who Never Went Platinum [PHOTOS]

Published on April 10, 2014

Share the post

Share this link via

Or copy link

1 of 26
❯
❮

In a strange twist of a fate, the current generation of rappers has spawned more superstars but less viable artists in terms of record sales.

Rick Ross just expressed his new sole desire was to obtain a platinum album. Ross is as big as superstar the rap game has ever seen in terms of appeal, marketability and hit records, so the fact he’s never reached that plateau could be somewhat surprising.

Although it is no mystery that the Internet has immolated any boundaries fans had to actually pay for music, there are still MCs that crack the million-sold mark. Albeit, they are virtually members of a very exclusive club.

Rozay should take comfort in knowing that he isn’t on an island by himself when it comes to never seeing one million sales on a LP. In fact, we over here at Hip-Hop Wired found 25 “famous” rappers who never went platinum excluding the biggest bawse. When we say famous, we mean artists with a massive social media following that extend beyond most of their peers.

One would think that a few tweets of an iTunes link would be able to generate a fraction of their Twitter followers but it hasn’t proved to be sure shot sales pitch just yet. Sales don’t always reflect quality but they hold a lot of weight within the industry.

Hit the gallery to see the close company Ross keeps in the Hip-Hop game.

—
Photo: Instagram/Wiz Khalifa

ScHoolboy Q

Twitter Followers: 692K

The jig spotted above got Q the #1 album in the country, but not a shiny plaque.

J. Cole

Twitter Followers: 5.09M

The Roc Nation standout may be one hit away or nah.

A$AP Rocky

Twitter Followers: 703K

Pretty Flacco may be a little distracted to go all the way in next time around.

Wiz Khalifa

Twitter Followers: 13.5M

YO!

Timbaland

Twitter Followers: 1.27M

Maybe Timbo should start saving (all) the good beats for himself.

Wale

Twitter Followers: 3.57M

The WrestleMania champ has proven he has the skills to pay the bills. He just needs a third of his online following to get with the program.

Yo Gotti

Twitter Followers: 944K

Memphis’ very own continues to build his visibility but the people still aren’t clicking the links that matter.

Meek Mill

Twitter Followers: 3.3M

Like his MMG boss, the Philly fly boy is still chasing the dream of hanging a silver plaque on his wall.

Curren$y

Twitter Followers: 744K

Maybe Spitta’s fans get high and forget to cop his albums? Lord knows they’ve had plenty of opportunities to support.

Ace Hood

Twitter Followers: 841K

At four albums deep, Young Ace is following the footsteps that Rozay was to wash away in the sand.

2 Chainz

Twitter Followers: 2.55M

Tity Boi’s followers are failing him. Tru story.

Birdman

Twitter Followers: 1.87M

There has had to been an inkling of temptation to simply buy the Billboard at this point, no?

Waka Flocka Flame

Twitter Followers: 1.25M

Waka goes hard like a rock star but doesn’t sell like one. Yet.

Photo: Apega/WENN.com

Big Sean

Twitter Followers: 5.39M

Hopefully Sean’s recent separation struggle will fuel his next album to a higher plateau, sales wise.

Lupe Fiasco

Twitter Followers: 1.27M

If skills sold, truth be told…

Cee Lo Green

Twitter Followers: 1.88M

The former Voice host scored a platinum certification as one half of Gnarls Barkley but has come up a little short on the solo end and with Goodie Mob.

Kid Cudi

Twitter Followers: 964K

The former G.O.O.D. Music soldier uses movies to offset his missing sales.

Flo Rida

Twitter Followers: 5.29M

As the one of the closet resemblances rap has to a pop star, sure you would think even his watered down fanbase would have went the entire distance on an album.

Gucci Mane

Twitter Followers: 1.98M

If Gucci promised to stay out of jail if he went platinum, would it actually happen?

Jim Jones

Twitter Followers: 3.38M

Capo’s reality show struggle brought his career the wrong kind of attention.

Joe Budden

Twitter Followers: 841K

What did I just say?

B.o.B

Twitter Followers: 2.02M

Bobby Ray definitely still moves units just not all on a complete body of work.

a href=”https://ionehiphopwired.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/french-montana.jpg”>

French Montana

Twitter Followers: 1.69M

We’re still waiting for Frenchie to “bust it open” on the Billboard charts.

Swizz Beatz

Twitter Followers: 2.02M

Swizz hasn’t released an album is nearly seven years. He knows how to play to his strengths.

Chief Keef

Twitter Followers: 892K

The bulk of Sosa’s online presence is propelled by struggle so no one’s really checking for the music in stores.

PREVIOUS POST NEXT PAGE
1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526

Related Tags

2 chainz ace hood ASAP Rocky Baby Williams/Birdman Big Boi Flo Rida gucci mane J. Cole jadakiss jim jones Joe Budden Kid Cudi Meek Mill platinum Record Sales Swizz Beatz timbaland wired 25 Wiz Khalifa Yo Gotti
More from Hip-Hop Wired

Hip-Hop Wired

Quick Links

Legal

Subscribe
Close