Two decades after its release, “Baby Boy,” the electrifying collaboration between Sean Paul and Beyoncé, has reached a major milestone: the track is now certified 2X Platinum in the United States.
On Tuesday, December 17, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded the certification, confirming the song’s sales and streaming equivalent of 2,000,000 units in the U.S. This achievement follows its first Platinum certification in 2022 and its Platinum status in the UK, where it sold 600,000 units in 2023.
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First released on August 3, 2003, “Baby Boy” was the second single from Beyoncé’s debut solo album, Dangerously in Love. It was later featured on Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock album when it was re-released in September 2003.
Produced by Scott Storch and Beyoncé, the song quickly became a defining hit of the early 2000s. It dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 29 weeks, spending nine of those weeks at No. 1. It was Beyoncé’s longest-running chart-topper in the U.S. until 2007, when Irreplaceable surpassed it. For Sean Paul, it remains his longest-running No. 1 record in the U.S., ahead of his 2016 smash hit “Cheap Thrills” with Sia, which spent four weeks at the top.
In the UK, “Baby Boy” peaked at No. 2 and charted for 17 weeks, solidifying its status as a global hit.
Both Beyoncé and Sean Paul enjoyed incredible success with their respective albums that featured “Baby Boy.”
- Beyoncé’s Dangerously in Love peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart. It has since been certified 7X Platinum in the U.S. (over 7 million units) and 4X Platinum in the UK (over 2.4 million units).
- Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock climbed to No. 9 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart. It is certified 3X Platinum in both the U.S. (3 million units) and the UK (1.8 million units).
Directed by Jake Nava, who also helmed Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love video, the Baby Boy music video added to the song’s appeal. With separate scenes for Beyoncé and Sean Paul, the video brought their sizzling chemistry to life and has since amassed over 219 million views on YouTube.
Sean Paul hasn’t ruled out another collaboration with Queen Bey. In a 2021 interview with ET Canada, he said, “The first time it was her asking me, so maybe I should ask her now.”
However, their working relationship has been shrouded in rumors, with reports suggesting that Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, who co-wrote the song, might have felt uneasy about their partnership.
Sean Paul laughed off the speculation in an interview with the Daily Beast, saying, “Nah! I wish I did! She’s beautiful.”
As Baby Boy celebrates this latest achievement, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of a great collaboration. Two decades later, the song continues to resonate with fans worldwide, cementing its place in the pantheon of early 2000s hits.
Who knows? Maybe the next chapter in Sean Paul and Beyoncé’s musical story is just around the corner. Fans can only hope!
