Introduction:
Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina’s “What Ifs” Earns Rare Diamond Certification
The longtime friends’ 2017 duet becomes only the 12th country song in history to reach the milestone.
From Middle School Friends to Record-Breaking Duo
Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina have shared a bond since the 7th grade. What started as a friendship in middle school choir has now blossomed into a career-defining achievement neither of them could have imagined as kids.
On Wednesday (Feb. 26), Brown called Alaina to deliver some life-changing news: their 2017 smash hit duet, “What Ifs,” has officially been certified Diamond by the RIAA, recognizing sales and streams equivalent to 10 million units.
Alaina’s reaction was priceless. “I’m gonna cry… let’s go dude… are you freaking kidding me?” she said through tears of joy.
The Rise of “What Ifs”
Originally released in 2017, “What Ifs” quickly took over the country charts, soaring to No. 1 on both Billboard’s Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts. The song even crossed over, peaking at No. 26 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100.
It ranked at #4 on the year-end Hot Country Songs chart in 2017 and later landed at #6 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs decade-end chart. A passionate performance at the 2018 ACM Awards further cemented the duet as a fan favorite.
Joining an Elite Club
Diamond certifications are extraordinarily rare in country music. With “What Ifs,” only 12 country songs have ever achieved the honor. Other titles on the list include Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise,” Luke Combs’ “Hurricane,” and Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel.”
Brown is now one of the few country artists with multiple Diamond singles. His 2017 hit “Heaven” previously earned the distinction, making him part of a very small group of artists across all genres to hold two or more Diamond plaques.
Tattoos, Tears, and Celebrations
To mark the occasion, Brown returned to the tattoo artist who inked his original diamond for “Heaven.” This time, he added two tally marks above the gem to represent his second Diamond single.
Alaina has promised to get her own celebratory tattoo and wants Brown by her side when she does. Reflecting on the journey, she laughed about how it all started: “I’m glad I got you to sing in choir class.”
A Milestone Moment
Eight years after its release, “What Ifs” continues to prove its staying power, and now it holds a permanent place in country music history. For two childhood friends who turned a classroom connection into a record-breaking hit, the Diamond certification feels like the ultimate full-circle moment.
Watch the video of Kane Brown surprising Lauren Alaina with the news below.