This week, J. Cole’s 2014 single “No Role Modelz” achieved a significant milestone by selling 10 million copies.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded the song a Diamond certification on Tuesday, December 10. It actually soared to 14 times platinum, or 14 million copies, surpassing Diamond.
Cole’s second Diamond single, “No Role Modelz,” comes after “Middle Child,” which peaked in July.
“Middle Child,” which debuted at No. 26 and peaked at No. 4 a week later, never made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 despite having eight-figure sales.
Nonetheless, it has become one of Cole’s most enduring melodies throughout time.
Although “No Role Modelz” was said to have sold 10 million units two years ago, it was not certified until this week.
Cole is one of the many well-known hip-hop artists who already have diamond plaques.
There are six rappers in total, with Eminem at the top. The songs “Lose Yourself,” “Not Afraid,” and the Rihanna collaboration “Love the Way You Lie” comprise the remaining three, while the other three are for his albums The Marshall Mathers LP, The Eminem Show, and Curtain Call: The Hits.
Each of Drake, 2Pac, Kanye West, Cardi B, and Jay-Z has several diamond records; Hov just took home his third with “Empire State of Mind.”
With nine diamond singles, Post Malone presently leads all genres in this category, followed by Rihanna and The Weeknd, each with seven.
Cole’s significant victory coincides with speculation that he may soon retire from performing, which was stoked by the news that his Dreamville Festival was coming to an end.
On Tuesday, December 10, festival organizers revealed the bittersweet news on social media: the upcoming event will be the fifth and last one.
A message on X (previously Twitter) stated, “The Fifth & Final Dreamville Fest will take place on April 5 & 6, 2025.” “What a journey it has been. We are incredibly grateful for all of our shared memories.
Ibrahim “Ib” Hamad, Cole’s longtime manager, added: “Thank you, North Carolina. We appreciate everyone who has come to our small family reunion over the past four years.
“Many individuals have been working really hard to bring you this Festival, and witnessing the impact has truly been a dream come true.”
The 2025 Dreamville Festival will be held at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Dorothea Dix Park, which is close to Cole’s hometown of Fayetteville. The lineup has not yet been revealed.