Released in 2018 as part of the soundtrack for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Post Malone and and Swae Lee's "Sunflower" became an instant hit. Fast forward and years later it has made new history.
The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) announced that "Sunflower" has become the first-ever single to be certified Double-Diamond, or 20x Platinum. This means the song has moved more than 20 million units. According to the RIAA, one unit is equal to a digital download or 150 on-demand audio and/or video streams.
"Post Malone and Swae Lee have officially raised the bar on what creative partnerships and infectious collaborations have the power to accomplish. ‘Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)’ has now been streamed or downloaded more than 20 million times in the U.S. alone, and they’ve earned the custom hardware to prove it," RIAA Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier said. "Congratulations Post, Swae Lee and Mercury/Republic Records for making history with the very first 2x Diamond single!”
"Sunflower" was the standout single on an Into the Spider-Verse soundtrack that was lauded by critics and fans alike. The soundtrack debuted at No. 5 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and reached as high as No. 2 on the charts, thanks in large part to the success of "Sunflower."
The single, which was a collaborative effort between Post Malone and Swae Lee, hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. At the time of its release, Sony Pictures Entertainment's Spring Aspers, Head of Music, Creative Affairs Worldwide, called the song the "perfect soundtrack" for Miles Morales.
“Post and Swae have delivered a song that’s both heroic and emotional, which is exactly what a Spider-Man story needs. It’s anthemic, but also heartfelt — the perfect soundtrack for Miles to discover the Spider-Man inside himself,” Aspers said at the time.
"Sunflower" was later included on Post Malone's third studio album "Hollywood's Bleeding" in 2019. In an interview with Billboard at the time of the track's release, Swae Lee called "Sunflower" his favorite collaboration.
"I’d have to say “Sunflower” with Post Malone, because it’s a movie placement [in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse]. The main character sings “Sunflower” and uses my vocals to calm him down in a certain situation — like my music was therapeutic for him," Lee said.
"Sunflower"'s success is the latest achievement for Malone, who last year was crowned with the most diamond singles of any artist in history. In addition to "Sunflower," he has seven other songs that have reached diamond status: “White Iverson,” “Congratulations” (featuring Quavo), “I Fall Apart,” “Rockstar” (featuring 21 Savage), “Psycho” (featuring Ty Dolla $ign) “Better Now” and “Circles.”
Post Malone — the 8x Diamond-certified GRAMMY® Award-nominated artist — will be performing "America the Beautiful" ahead of kick off for Super Bowl LVIII this weekend.