Kanye West's The Life of Pablo, to the surprise of no one, continues to make history more than a year after its innovative release. The album has now been certified gold in the U.K., becoming the first album to do so based on streams alone. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI)'s certification means Pablo has bagged the equivalent of 100,000 copies sold in streams.
The BPI updated their certification process in 2015 to include streaming, BBC Newsreported. Pablo first entered the U.K. charts in May 2016 and went on to spend 47 weeks in the top 100. The gold certification feat follows a similar distinction here in the States, as the album—initially a Tidal exclusive—was reported as the first steaming-only album to go platinum back in April.
Though the Pablo era came to a tumultuous early close in November, it marked arguably the most prolific period of West's career. In addition to the blockbuster Saint Pablo Tour and a batch of critically acclaimed visuals, West also made his biggest waves yet in fashion with the launch of multiple Yeezy collections, including the album-assisted Yeezy Season 3 show at Madison Square Garden.
West's Pablo follow-up, which was once rumored for a late 2017 release and may still be entitled Turbo Grafx 16, was recently named one of Complex's most anticipated albums of the year. West has also been busy working on Pusha T's King Push album. According to Pusha, the album has already been totally scrapped three times. "If it drops this year, Album of the Year," Pusha said during his Made in America performance in September. "If it drops next year, Album of the Year."
