Althea & Donna’s “Uptown Top Ranking” Adds New Zealand Gold Certification

Reggae duo adds another accolade as classic anthem reflects over 15,000 units in New Zealand, following November UK Gold; the track recently surpassed 100 million Spotify streams

Althea & Donna’s classic continues global resurgence after UK certification

Jamaican reggae duo Althea & Donna continue to see their legacy grow, as their timeless classic “Uptown Top Ranking” has earned another international milestone. The single was certified Gold in New Zealand by Recorded Music NZ, representing more than 15,000 units in sales and streaming as of April 16.

The achievement follows the track’s Gold certification in the United Kingdom in November 2025, where it surpassed 400,000 units.

“It touches our hearts deeply. We always remembered the song reaching Gold from vinyl sales back then, but seeing it officially recognized again after nearly 50 years feels like a blessing. It tells us the music is still alive, still loved, and still finding new souls to reach,” reflected Donna Reid, one half of Althea & Donna, in an exclusive interview with Kaboom Magazine in November following the UK certification.

Built on the iconic “I’m Still in Love With You” riddim by legendary producer Joe Gibbs, the track was originally released in 1977 with little expectation. Its breakthrough came after unexpected airplay on BBC Radio 1, which propelled it onto the UK Singles Chart. By 1978, “Uptown Top Ranking” had climbed to No. 1, famously knocking the Bee Gees off the top spot during the height of the Saturday Night Fever era.

Despite often being labeled a one-hit wonder, the song’s global endurance remains undeniable. Decades later, it continues to resonate with new generations, amassing over 101 million streams on Spotify and reinforcing its place as one of reggae’s most enduring anthems.