I was going through her Wiki yesterday and I noticed that her album sales in the US are really shocking and lackluster for an artist with 13 #1 singles in the said country.

"Good Girl Gone Bad" is her only 2x Platinum album in America and it neeeded two smash hits and a re-release to reach that milestone. How come even "Loud" failed to sell 2M with massive promotion, 7 singles and 3 #1s?

"Talk That Talk" was released during Black Friday and spawned the biggest solo hit of her career, as well as two additional Platinum singles, yet the album has barely sold 1.1M to date.

I feel like "Unapologetic" was more successful but it still wasn't as successful as it should have been.

Serious question, do you think Rihanna lacks power in the US, outside quick lil singles?

Originally posted by NewRihannaStan The US is not her strongest market .. But she stills churns out platinum albums ..

Originally posted by Dark Horse Rihanna is a singles artist which is okay because she's slaying

Originally posted by Baby Boy But she has 13 #1 singles in the US, more than any other female besides Mariah. Why is she only able to get Platinum?

Originally posted by RomanNavy No but I do think the US is too prudish and conservative for Rihanna that's why most rather buy a Taylor Swift/ Adele album than a Rihanna album. However 6 plat albums is still amazing

Originally posted by RomanNavy No but I do think the US is too prudish and conservative for Rihanna that's why most rather buy a Taylor Swift/ Adele album than a Rihanna album. However 6 plat albums is still amazing

Originally posted by FatShady Rihanna is too out there for America.

An album hitting the Platinum milestone when she releases (almost) annually is extremely impressive considering her contemporaries sell a comparable amount as her and they have a far less arduous release schedule. Keep in mind that Rih usually outsells her contemporaries in single sales during a year as well.
Platinum album/year > Platinum album/2+ years.