Rae Sremmurd’s ‘Black Beatles’ Goes Diamond — Viral Mannequin Challenge Seals the Legacy
Rae Sremmurd just reached one of the music industry’s most coveted milestones — their 2016 megahit “Black Beatles” has officially gone Diamond, and the iconic #MannequinChallenge played a massive role in the track’s cultural dominance.
On Tuesday, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced that the Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi anthem, featuring Gucci Mane, had surpassed 10 million units sold in the U.S. — certifying it as a Diamond-selling single nearly a decade after its release.
A Song That Froze Time
When “Black Beatles” dropped as part of Rae Sremmurd’s SremmLife 2 album, it already had all the makings of a hit — a hypnotic beat, Gucci Mane’s swagger, and Swae’s signature melodic touch. But it wasn’t until the #MannequinChallenge went viral that the song truly became a global movement.
Suddenly, schools, sports teams, celebrities, and even Hillary Clinton’s campaign team were posting videos of themselves frozen in place while “Black Beatles” played in the background — propelling the song to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks.
A Billion Streams Later…
The hit single’s staying power is undeniable. With over 1 billion streams combined across Spotify and YouTube, the song not only conquered charts but also embedded itself into the DNA of internet culture.
And now, it’s paid off — big time.
Birthday Surprise for Swae Lee
The Diamond certification came as an early birthday gift for Swae Lee, who celebrated the moment with a heartfelt video message to fans, calling the track his “gift to the world.”
Meanwhile, Slim Jxmmi and Gucci Mane also joined in the celebration, commemorating the track’s historic achievement on social media.
More Diamond for Swae
This isn’t unfamiliar territory for Swae Lee — the genre-blending artist also shares double Diamond honors with Post Malone for their smash collaboration “Sunflower”, making him one of the few modern artists with multiple Diamond plaques to his name.
A Look Back at the Impact
Looking back, Rae Sremmurd told TMZ during the height of the #MannequinChallenge that they hoped their song would inspire a movement — and it absolutely did. The viral trend turned a strong single into a cultural phenomenon, proving the powerful intersection between music and social media.
What’s Next?
With their place in music history now certified, fans are eagerly awaiting what Rae Sremmurd will deliver next. Whether it’s another viral hit or a fresh new sound, one thing’s for sure — the “Black Beatles” aren’t fading from memory anytime soon.
Do you remember your favorite #MannequinChallenge moment? Tag us in your throwback video and join the celebration!
