RIAA certification

In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) operates an awards program based on the certified number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets.[1] Other countries have similar awards (see music recording certification). Certification is not automatic; for an award to be made, the record label must first request certification.[2] The audit is conducted against net shipments after returns (most often an artist's royalty statement is used), which includes albums sold directly to retailers and one-stops, direct-to-consumer sales (music clubs and mail order) and other outlets.

Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) seal that appears on award plaques

Description and qualifications

RIAA certifications for Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Madonna and Lynyrd Skynyrd on display at Julien's Auctions.

A Gold record is a song or album that sells 500,000 units (records, tapes, and compact discs). The award was launched in 1958;[3] originally, the requirement for a Gold single was one million units sold and a Gold album represented $1 million in sales (at wholesale value, around a third of the list price).[4] In 1975, the additional requirement of 500,000 units sold was added for Gold albums.[4] Reflecting growth in record sales, the Platinum award was added in 1976, for albums that sold one million units and for singles selling two million units.[4][5] The Multi-Platinum award was introduced in 1984, signifying multiple Platinum levels of albums and singles.[6] In 1989, the sales thresholds for singles were reduced to 500,000 for Gold and 1,000,000 for Platinum, reflecting a decrease in sales of singles.[7] In 1992, RIAA began counting each disc in a multi-disc set as one unit toward certification. Reflecting additional growth in music sales, the Diamond award was instituted in 1999 for albums or singles selling ten million units.[3] Because of these changes in criteria, the sales level associated with a particular award depends on when the award was made.

Nielsen SoundScan figures are not used in RIAA certification; the RIAA system predates Nielsen SoundScan and includes sales outlets Nielsen misses. Prior to Nielsen SoundScan, RIAA certification was the only audited and verifiable system for tracking music sales in the U.S.; it is still the only system capable of tracking 100% of sales (albeit as shipments less returns, not actual sales like Nielsen SoundScan). This system has permitted, at times, record labels to promote an album as Gold or Platinum simply based on large shipments. For instance, in 1978 the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band soundtrack shipped Platinum but was a sales bust, with two million returns.[8] Similarly, all four solo albums by the members of Kiss simultaneously shipped Platinum that same year but did not reach the top 20 of the Billboard 200 album chart.[9] The following year, the RIAA began requiring 120 days from the release date before recordings were eligible for certification, although that requirement has been reduced over the years and currently stands at 30 days. Upon criticism on why the RIAA won't adapt SoundScan as its source, Hilary Rosen, president of the recording association, defended their system: “We think the certification process represents an accurate sales picture and we’re comfortable with the numbers we release.” [10]

In the digital era, changes in the way music is consumed resulted in changes in the certification criteria. Actual album sales had dropped significantly, while digital download followed by streaming became increasingly dominant. On-demand audio and video streams started to be counted towards Digital Single units consumed in 2013.[11][12] Track downloads and audio and video streams were then included in album certification in 2016 using formulas converting downloads and streams into the album units for certification purpose.[13]

List of certifications

Records

  • 500,000 units: Gold album
  • 1,000,000 units: Platinum album
  • 2,000,000+ (in increments of 1,000,000 thereafter) units: Multi-Platinum album
  • 10,000,000 units: Diamond album

Starting from February 1, 2016, each album unit may be one of the following:[13][14]

  1. Each permanent digital album or physical album sale;
  2. 10 tracks from the album downloaded;
  3. 1,500 on-demand audio or video streams of songs from the album.

Multi-disc

Multi-disc albums are counted once for each disc within the album if it is over 100 minutes in length or is from the vinyl era. For example, the Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (running time of 121:39) and OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (running time of 134:56), both double albums, were counted twice, meaning each album was certified diamond after 5 million copies were shipped. Pink Floyd's The Wall and the Beatles' White Album, both vinyl-era, are also counted as double even though their running times are under the minimum requirement. Rules may or may not apply depending on most recent staff within the Distributions position.

Latin

Since 2000, the RIAA also awards Los Premios de Oro y De Platino (Gold and Platinum Awards in Spanish) to Latin albums, which are defined by the RIAA as a type of product that features at least 51% of content in Spanish.[15]

List of certifications, showing name and units required[16][17]
Certification Units required
(as of December 20, 2013)
Units required
(before December 20, 2013)
Disco de Oro 30,000 50,000
Disco de Platino 60,000 100,000
Disco de Multi-Platino 120,000 200,000
Disco de Diamante 600,000 1,000,000

Note: The number of sales required to qualify for Oro and Platino awards was higher prior to January 1, 2008.[16] The thresholds were 100,000 units (Oro) and 200,000 units (Platino). All Spanish-language albums certified prior to 2008 were updated to match the current certification at the time.[16][18] "La Bomba" by Bolivian group Azul Azul is the only single to receive a Latin certification based on shipments before the creation of the Latin digital singles awards in 2013.[19] The Disco de Diamante award was introduced after the RIAA updated the thresholds for Latin certifications on December 20, 2013. The Disco de Diamante is awarded to Latin albums that have been certified 10× Platinum.[20][21]

Singles

Standard singles are certified:

  • Gold when it ships 500,000 copies
  • Platinum when it ships 1,000,000 copies
  • Multi-Platinum when it ships at least 2,000,000 copies

Note: The number of sales required to qualify for Gold and Platinum discs was higher prior to January 1, 1989. The thresholds were previously 1,000,000 units (Gold) and 2,000,000 units (Platinum).[22]

Digital singles are certified:

  • Gold means 500,000 certification units
  • Platinum means 1,000,000 certification units
  • Multi-Platinum means 2,000,000+ certification units

From 2004 through July 2006, the certification level was 100,000 downloads for Gold and 200,000 for Platinum. When the RIAA changed the certification standards to match retail distribution in August 2006, all Platinum and Multi-Platinum awards for a digital release were withdrawn. Gold certifications, however, were not, meaning a song that was downloaded over 100,000 times and certified so by the RIAA during that time frame retains its Gold status.[23]

Starting May 9, 2013, RIAA certifications for singles in the "digital" category include on-demand audio and/or video song streams in addition to downloads at a rate of 100 streams=1 certification "unit".[11][24] On January 2, 2016, this rate was updated to 150 streams = 1 certification unit.[12]

Latin digital singles are certified:

  • Disco de Oro (Gold) means 30,000 certification units
  • Disco de Platino (Platinum) means 60,000 certification units
  • Disco de Multi-Platino (Multi-Platinum) means 120,000+ certification units

The Latin Digital Single Awards began on December 20, 2013. As with the digital sales, 100 streams count as one download sale.[17]

Video Longform

Along with albums, digital albums, and singles there is another classification of music release called "Video Longform." This release format includes DVD and VHS releases, and certain live albums and compilation albums. The certification criteria are slightly different from other styles.[25][26]

  • Gold: 50,000 copies
  • Platinum: 100,000 copies
  • Multi-Platinum: 200,000 copies

Video Single

For Video Single certification, the title must contain no more than two songs and must have a running time of no more than 15 minutes. The certification criteria are:[26]

  • Gold: 25,000 copies
  • Platinum: 50,000 copies
  • Multi-Platinum: 100,000 copies

As of 2021, the titles certified the most Video Single awards are "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down and Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation", both winning 6× Platinum for 300,000 copies.[27] Since 2010, only 5 titles have been certified Video Single. The latest Gold was awarded to "R40" by Rush in 2017.[28]

Video Box Set

The Video Box Set (or Multi-Box Music Video Set) award is a classification for video compilations that include three or more videos that are grouped and marketed together as a set. Like Video Longform, this includes DVD and VHS releases and the certification criteria are the same. Each individual video within set is counted as one toward certification.[26]

  • Gold: 50,000 copies
  • Platinum: 100,000 copies
  • Multi-Platinum: 200,000 copies

The best-selling video box set as certified by the RIAA is the Rolling Stones' Four Flicks DVD compilation from their Licks World Tour, with a 19× Multi-Platinum designation. This was likely achieved due to exclusive distribution rights owned by retailer Best Buy by their short-lived music production company, Redline Entertainment.[29][30]

Master Ringtone

Master Ringtone (mastertone) awards were introduced in 2006.[31] Certification levels are identical to those of singles, 500,000 for Gold and 1,000,000 for Platinum and Multi-Platinum.

Many Master Ringtone certifications were awarded until 2009, but since then only ten certifications were awarded in 2010, three in 2012 and three in 2019, all three to AC/DC.[32]

Records

Lists from RIAA site showing current status holders of RIAA Certifications:

Artists with the most album certifications

Most Platinum

Elvis Presley is the artist with the most platinum albums.

This list show the artists with at least 10 platinum albums (excluding compilations)

Artist #
Elvis Presley30
George Strait24
The Beatles19
The Rolling Stones18
Barbra Streisand17
Elton John16
Reba McEntire15
Alabama15
Luther Vandross15
AC/DC14
Rush14
Kenny Rogers14
KISS13
Rod Stewart13
Jay Z13
Bruce Springsteen13
Chicago13
U212
Alan Jackson12
Prince12
Mariah Carey12
Garth Brooks11
Aerosmith11
Bob Dylan11
Billy Joel11
James Taylor11
Willie Nelson11
Linda Ronstadt11
Kenny Chesney11
Madonna10
Neil Diamond10
Celine Dion10
John Mellencamp10
Metallica10
Van Halen10
Eminem10
Taylor Swift10

Most Diamond

Garth Brooks is the artist with the most diamond albums.

This table tracks artists with at least two Diamond certified albums.

Artist #
Garth Brooks 9
The Beatles6
Led Zeppelin5
Eminem3
Shania Twain
Whitney Houston
The Eagles
2Pac 2
Adele
Taylor Swift
Billy Joel
Britney Spears
Celine Dion
Def Leppard
Journey
Madonna
Mariah Carey
Michael Jackson
NSYNC
Pink Floyd
The Chicks
Van Halen

Artists with the most single certifications

Most Platinum

Drake is the artist with the most platinum singles.

This table tracks artists with some number of singles that have received at least 20 digital platinum certifications (excluding features).

Artist #
Drake80
Kanye West51
Taylor Swift49
Post Malone45
Rihanna44
Eminem41
Beyoncé40
Morgan Wallen39
Chris Brown37
Future37
The Weeknd37
Justin Bieber34
Juice Wrld33
J. Cole 32
Lil Wayne32
YoungBoy Never Broke Again32
Ariana Grande29
Lil Baby29
Luke Bryan28
Elvis Presley27
Blake Shelton26
Usher26
Maroon 525
Carrie Underwood25
Mariah Carey25
Kendrick Lamar25
Katy Perry24
SZA 23
Britney Spears23
Ed Sheeran 22
Tim McGraw 22
Billie Eilish 21
Imagine Dragons 21
Michael Jackson 21
XXXTentacion21
Eric Church21
Panic At The Disco 21
A Boogie 21
Trippie Redd21
Lady Gaga20
Jason Aldean 20
Lil Uzi Vert20
Ludacris20

Most Diamond

Post Malone is the artist with the most diamond singles.

This table tracks artists with some number of singles that have received at least 2 Diamond certifications.

Artist #
Post Malone9
Bruno Mars6
Drake5
The Weeknd
Katy Perry4
Imagine Dragons
Justin Bieber
Cardi B3
The Chainsmokers
Ed Sheeran
Eminem
Kanye West
Maroon 5
Lady Gaga
Rihanna
Swae Lee
Florida Georgia Line2
Ludacris
Michael Jackson
Halsey
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Twenty One Pilots
XXXTENTACION
Pharrell Williams

Note: The RIAA provides the Detailed List of Artists with Most Singles Certified Units

RIAA Diamond certifications

See also: a comprehensive list of certified works with Diamond status at RIAA's website.

Albums

Highest certified Diamond albums
Year of release Artist(s) Title Certification Year of certification
1976 Eagles Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975) 38× Platinum 2018
1982 Michael Jackson Thriller 34× Platinum 2021
1976 Eagles Hotel California 26× Platinum 2018
1980 AC/DC Back in Black 25× Platinum 2019
1971 Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin IV 24× Platinum 2021
1968 The Beatles The Beatles 24× Platinum 2019
1985 Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume I & Volume II 23× Platinum 2011
1998 Garth Brooks Double Live 23× Platinum 2023
1979 Pink Floyd The Wall 23× Platinum 1999
1977 Fleetwood Mac Rumours 21× Platinum 2023
1994 Hootie & the Blowfish Cracked Rear View 21× Platinum 2018
1997 Shania Twain Come On Over 20× Platinum 2004

Singles

Highest certified Diamond singles (digital)
Year of release Artist(s) Title Certification Year of certification
2018 Post Malone & Swae Lee "Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)" 20× Platinum 2024
1981 Journey "Don't Stop Believin'" 18× Platinum 2024
2019 Lil Nas X "Old Town Road" (Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus) 17× Platinum 2022
2018 Drake "God's Plan" 16× Platinum 2023
2014 Ed Sheeran "Thinking Out Loud" 16× Platinum 2023
2012 Imagine Dragons "Radioactive" 16× Platinum 2023
2016 The Chainsmokers "Closer" (Featuring Halsey) 15× Platinum 2022
Highest certified singles (physical)
Year of release Artist(s) Title Certification Year of certification
1997 Elton John "Candle in the Wind 1997" 11× Platinum 1997
1956 Elvis Presley "Hound Dog" / "Don't Be Cruel" 4× Platinum 1999
1992 Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" 4× Platinum 1992
1992 Los del Río "Macarena" 4× Platinum 1996
1968 The Beatles "Hey Jude" 4× Platinum 1999
1993 Tag Team "Whoomp! (There It Is)" 4× Platinum 1999
1993 Bryan Adams "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" 3× Platinum 1991

RIAA Diamante Latin certifications

See also: a comprehensive list of certified works with Latin Diamond status at RIAA's website.

Albums (Latin)

Highest certified Latin albums
Year of release Artist(s) Title Certification Standard certification Year of certification
1995 Selena Dreaming of You 59× Platinum (Latin) 3× Platinum 2017
1994 Selena Amor Prohibido 36× Platinum (Latin) 2× Platinum 2017
2014 Romeo Santos Formula, Vol. 2 31× Platinum (Latin) N/A 2024
2017 Ozuna Odisea 28× Platinum (Latin) N/A 2022
2020 Bad Bunny YHLQMDLG 24× Platinum (Latin) N/A 2021
2019 Luis Fonsi Vida 22× Platinum (Latin) N/A 2019
2004 Juanes Mi Sangre 18× Platinum (Latin) N/A 2019
2002 Juanes Un Día Normal 18× Platinum (Latin) N/A 2022
2002 Selena Ones 18× Platinum (Latin) Gold 2017
1993 Gloria Estefan Mi Tierra 16× Platinum (Latin) Platinum 2000
2006 Maná Amar es Combatir 16× Platinum (Latin) Gold 2023
2011 Romeo Santos Formula, Vol. 1 15× Platinum (Latin) N/A 2022

Singles (Latin)

Highest certified Latin singles
Year of release Artist(s) Title Certification Year of certification
2018 Nio García, Casper Mágico, Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Darell & Nicky Jam "Te Boté (Remix)" 71× Platinum (Latin)
10× Diamante
2023
2017 J Balvin & Willy William "Mi Gente" (Featuring Beyoncé) 68× Platinum (Latin) 2018
2013 Romeo Santos "Propuesta Indecente" 65× Platinum (Latin)
2× Diamante
2024
2017 Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee "Despacito" 55× Platinum (Latin)
13× Platinum
2017
2021 Farruko "Pepas" 52× Platinum (Latin) 2023
2017 Becky G & Bad Bunny "Mayores" 46× Platinum (Latin) 2021
2017 Maluma "Felices los 4" 44× Platinum (Latin) 2021
2018 Daddy Yankee "Dura" 43× Platinum (Latin) 2020
2019 Sech & Darell "Otro Trago" 42× Platinum (Latin)
Diamante
2023
2019 Daddy Yankee "Con Calma" (Featuring Snow) 41× Platinum (Latin)
Diamante
2020
2019 Karol G & Nicki Minaj "Tusa" 41× Platinum (Latin)
Diamante
2021
2014 Romeo Santos "Eres Mía" 39× Platinum (Latin)
Diamante
2022
2018 Becky G & Natti Natasha "Sin Pijama" 38× Platinum (Latin)
Diamante
2021
2018 DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz, Ozuna, Bad Bunny, Wisin & Almighty "Solita" 38× Platinum (Latin) 2023
2022 Karol G "Provenza" 36× Platinum (Latin) 2023
2018 Nicky Jam & J Balvin "X" 35× Platinum (Latin) 2019
2011 Romeo Santos "Promise" (Featuring Usher) 34× Platinum (Latin)
Diamante
2022
2014 Romeo Santos "Odio" (Featuring Drake) 34× Platinum (Latin)
Diamante
2022
2005 Shakira "La Tortura" 32× Platinum (Latin)
3× Diamante
2018
2013 Prince Royce "Darte un Beso" 31× Platinum (Latin) 2021

See also

References

  1. RIAA certification criteria. Retrieved on September 11, 2006
  2. "Apply - RIAA". RIAA.com. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
  3. "History Of The Awards". RIAA.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007.
  4. White, Adam (1990). The Billboard Book of Gold & Platinum Records. Billboard Books. p. viii. ISBN 978-0-7119-2196-2.
  5. Grein, Paul (November 30, 2012). "Chart Watch Extra: Where "Thriller" Ranks". Chart Watch. Yahoo Music. Retrieved December 5, 2012.
  6. Michael Campbell; James Brody (2008). Rock and Roll: An Introduction (2nd ed.). Thomson Schirmer. p. 308. ISBN 978-1-111-79453-8.
  7. White, Adam (1990). The Billboard Book of Gold & Platinum Records. Billboard Books. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-7119-2196-2.
  8. Hollie, Pamela, "Record Industry: Big Changes". The New York Times, January 12, 1980, p. 27
  9. Lendt, C.K. (1997). Kiss and Sell: The Making of a Supergroup. p. 95.
  10. Philips, Chuck (January 15, 1995). "Sold, Shipped, What's the Diff?: About 2 million albums, in the case of 'The Lion King,' pointing up the disparity between industry's sales tally and SoundScan's". Los Angeles Times. p. 67. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  11. "RIAA Adds Digital Streams To Historic Gold & Platinum Awards". Recording Industry Association of America. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  12. "RIAA and GR&F Certification Audit Requirements: RIAA Digital Single Award" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of America. January 2, 2016.
  13. "RIAA Debuts Album Award With Streams". RIAA. February 1, 2016.
  14. "RIAA and GR&F Certification Audit Requirements RIAA Album Award" (PDF). Recording Industry Association of America.
  15. "About". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 12, 2015.
  16. Lamy, Jonathon (February 14, 2008). "Country Takes The Crop". RIAA. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
  17. "RIAA Updates Latin Gold & Platinum Program". RIAA. December 20, 2013. Archived from the original on October 8, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  18. "RIAA Launches 'Los Premios de Oro y De Platino' to Recognize Top Latin Artists" (Press release). RIAA. January 25, 2000. Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
  19. Cobo, Leila (August 18, 2001). "Latin Notas". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 33. Prometheus Global Media. p. 32. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  20. "Diamante Awards". RIAA. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  21. "History of the Awards". RIAA. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  22. Grein, Paul (May 14, 1989). "New Golden Rule: 500,000 Sales Mark for All Singles". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
  23. Whitburn, Joel (2009). Top Pop Singles 1955-2008 (12th ed.). p. 14. ISBN 978-0-89820-180-2.
  24. "NEW "COMBINED" DIGITAL SINGLE AWARD". Recording Industry Association of America. May 9, 2013. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  25. "Billboard.com Latest Video Longform Certifications". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-14.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) Retrieved on May 14, 2008
  26. "About the Awards - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  27. "Gold & Platinum – Video Single". RIAA. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  28. "Gold & Platinum – Video Single by date". RIAA. Archived from the original on 2021-06-18. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  29. Inc, Nielsen Business Media (2003-10-18). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  30. "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  31. Horaczek, S. (June 18, 2006). "RIAA establishes Master Ringtone Sales Award". Engadget. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  32. "Gold & Platinum - Mastertone". RIAA. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.