RIAA

17 Dec 2024

FloyyMenor, Rauw Alejandro & More Included in RIAA’s Class of 2024

The RIAA revealed its yearly certification announcements on Monday (Dec. 16), identifying 65 artists receiving honors for the first time, including Latin artists such as Rauw Alejandro, FloyyMenor, Quevedo, The Marías and Carla Morrison.

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Puerto Rican sensation Rauw Alejandro is recognized for his album Cosa Nuestra, which achieved Gold status. Additionally, his collaboration with Bad Bunny on the single “Qué Pasará” was notably popular. However, it was his 2023 single “Aloha” — with Maluma and Beele, featuring Darell, Mambo Kingz and DJ Luian — that achieved six-times Platinum status, and a few more others such a early 2024 singles “Déjame Entrar” and “Touching the Sky” were also certified Platinum. Spanish rapper Quevedo received a nine-times Platinum accolade for his single “Pero Tú” with Karol G, along with Platinum recognitions for other tracks including “OA” in collaboration with Anuel AA and Maluma (with contributions from Mambo Kingz, DJ Luian).

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Breakout Chilean star FloyyMenor proudly acknowledged his inclusion in the RIAA Class of 2024, celebrating the double Platinum success of his song “Gata Only” with Cris MJ. “I am so proud to be a part of the RIAA Class of 2024 and for my double platinum song making me the only Chilean artist to achieve platinum or higher certification for a Latin title in the RIAA’s Gold and Platinum program’s 66 years,” said FloyyMenor in a statement shared with Billboard Español. “This is not just mine, it is Chile’s and everyone who has supported me since day one. I am very grateful for UnitedMasters, RIAA and my fans for helping me bring my music to the whole world. This last year has been a dream come true.”

Meanwhile, The Marías landed three singles — “No One Noticed,” “Un Millón” and “Lejos de Ti” — in the prestigious program; and Carla Morrison enters this year’s class for her participation in Karol G’s hit song “Mañana Será Bonito,” which went nine times Platinum.

“There’s nothing like the first time! The RIAA Gold and Platinum Class of 2024 is our largest to date — with 65 artists whose talents broke through in amazing ways — proving how new music discovery and creative partnerships are driving the next generation of icons,” added RIAA chairman/CEO Mitch Glazier in a press release. “We are so proud of this group of artists and their label teams for their inspiring work that fans love. We look forward to celebrating their next milestones soon.”  

Moreover, the Class of 2024 also features Shaboozey, Chappell Roan, Sexxy Red, Cassö and others.

As for standout Latin releases this year, Peso Pluma’s album Éxodo reached 11 times Platinum, and Fuerza Regida’s single with Marshmello “Harley Quinn” went 27 times Platinum.

Initiated 66 years ago, the Gold and Platinum Awards by the RIAA were designed to acknowledge artists and track sales of sound recordings. These awards have since become a benchmark of success for artists at all stages, from debut tracks to career-spanning compilations.

See the complete list of recipients of the Class of 2024 below on the second slide:

12 Dec 2024

Post Malone Celebrates Platinum Certification For Debut Country Album and 5X Certification For ‘I Had Some Help’

In addition to hanging those stockings with care, Post Malone is going to have to make more room on his mantle for new hardware from the RIAA. The Recording Industry Association announced on Thursday (Dec. 12) that Malone’s star-packed debut country album, F-1 Trillion, has been certified Platinum (one million).

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And that’s not all. In addition to scoring his latest Platinum album plaque, the album’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 single, “I Had Some Help” (feat. Morgan Wallen) — which spent six weeks atop the chart — was certified 5x Platinum, and his Blake Shelton collab, “Pour Me a Drink,” was certified Platinum.

Malone could pick up more trophies for F-1 Trillion at February’s 67th annual Grammy Awards, where he has seven nominations, including best country album and best recording package, as well as best country song and best country duo/group performance for “I Had Some Help.” He could also win some awards for his collaborations this year, including on “Fortnight” from Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department (best music video, record of the year, song of the year) and best pop duo/group performance for his team-up with Beyoncé on her Cowboy Carter tune “LEVII’s JEANS.”

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Malone won’t have much time to celebrate, as he’s gearing up to headline the Bud Light Backyard Presents show at the Fillmore New Orleans on February 7, two days before the big game takes place at the Caesars Superdome in the Big Easy. The rapper/singer’s 2025 will also have him headlining a night at Coachella in April alongside Lady Gaga, Green Day and Travis Scott, as well as headlining the North American Big Ass Stadium tour with guest Jelly Roll next spring and summer.

10 Dec 2024

Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ Certified 16X Platinum

Mariah Carey has a million reasons to be thankful this holiday season. In fact, the Queen of Christmas has 16 million reasons according to the RIAA, which recently announced that Carey’s yuletide classic single, “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” has been certified 16x Platinum.

The perennial holiday favorite — which was once again at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending Dec. 7 — has had a wild ride to its mega-platinum status. The song, which was originally released in 1994 as the lead single from the singer’s debut Christmas album, Merry Christmas, was not certified gold (500,000 copies) until December 2005.

From there, it took a decade-and-a-half for it to bump up to platinum (1 million) status in October 2019. Then the rocket ride began, with the song gaining 6x Platinum status that year, during which the track reached its highest-charting status on the Hot 100 to that point, rising to No. 3 on the chart in January 2019; by December of that year, “All I Want” hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 for the first time and to date it has spent 15 weeks atop the chart.

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The song hit 8X Platinum the next December and crossed the Diamond mark (10 million) by December 2021. From there, it was off the the races for the song that has been a reliable holiday No. 1 ever since, hitting 12X Platinum in December 2022, 14X Platinum in December 2023 and 16X on Friday.

Carey will need to make room for a few other new plaques as well, as her 2005 Emancipation of Mimi single “Shake It Off” reached 2X Platinum status on December 6 and her 2009 Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel lead single “Obsessed” hit 4X Platinum last week as well, 15 years after it first reached Platinum status.

Carey is in the midst of her Christmas Time tour, which is slated to hit PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Wednesday (Dec. 11); the annual holiday outing is slated to wind down on Dec. 17 with a show at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

20 Nov 2024

Goo Goo Dolls’ 1998 Hit ‘Iris’ Is Now Certified Diamond

It’s been 26 years since Goo Goo Dolls dropped their seminal hit, “Iris,” and the track continues to reach new heights.

On Wednesday (Nov. 20), it was announced that the track is now certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). That’s not all — “Iris” has also amassed more than two billion streams on Spotify.

“Iris” was originally written for the soundtrack of the 1998 film City of Angels, and was later included on the sixth Goo Goo Dolls album, Dizzy Up the Girl. After it was released as a single, “Iris” eventually spent a then-record of 18 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. The longstanding classic has since been covered by stars including Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Phoebe Bridgers and Maggie Rogers.

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It’s gearing up to be an exciting year for Goo Goo Dolls, as the the band recently announced a run of 2025 summer tour dates with Dashboard Confessional. The Summer Anthem Tour kicks off on July 13 in Phoenix, Ariz., and will stop in Nashville, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Seattle, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and many more before wrapping up on Sept. 12 in Camdenton, Mo.

Pre-sale tickets become available starting on Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. local time, before the public sale starts on Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. local time. See the full list of tour dates and more ticket information here.

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20 Nov 2024

Artist Rights Symposium Returns for a Fourth Year at American University

The Artist Rights Symposium returns for a fourth year on Wednesday (Nov. 20) at a new location — American University’s Kogood School of Business. This year the day-long event will feature panels like “The Trouble with Tickets,” “Overview of Current Issues in Artificial Intelligence Litigation,” and “Name, Image and Likeness Rights in the Age of AI.” Plus, the symposium will feature a keynote with Digital Media Association (DiMA) president and CEO Graham Davies.

Founded by University of Georgia professor, musician and activist Dr. David C. Lowery, the event has been held at the university in Athens, Georgia for the last three years. Now that the event has moved to Washington, D.C., the Artist Rights Symposium can take advantage of the wealth of music professionals in the city. This includes D.C.-based panelists like Davies, Stephen Parker (executive director, National Independent Venue Association), Ken Doroshow (Chief Legal Officer, Recording Industry Association of America), Jalyce E. Mangum (attorney-advisor, U.S. Copyright Office), Jen Jacobsen (executive director, Artist Rights Alliance), Jeffrey Bennett (general counsel, SAG-AFTRA) and more.

The Artist Rights Symposium is supported by the Artist Rights Institute.

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See the schedule of events below:

9:15-10:15 – THE TROUBLE WITH TICKETS: The Challenges of Ticket Resellers and Legislative Solutions
Kevin Erickson, Director, Future of Music Coalition, Washington DC
Dr. David C. Lowery, Co-founder of Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, University of Georgia Terry College of Business, Athens, Georgia
Stephen Parker, Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association, Washington DC
Mala Sharma, President, Georgia Music Partners, Atlanta, Georgia
Moderator: Christian L. Castle, Esq., Director, Artist Rights Institute, Austin, Texas

10:15-10:30: NIVA Speculative Ticketing Project Presentation by Kogod students

10:45-11:00: OVERVIEW OF CURRENT ISSUES IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITIGATION
Kevin Madigan, Vice President, Legal Policy and Copyright Counsel, Copyright Alliance

11:00-12 pm: SHOW ME THE CREATOR – Transparency Requirements for AI Technology
Danielle Coffey, President & CEO, News Media Alliance, Arlington, Virginia
Dahvi Cohen, Legislative Assistant, U.S. Congressman Adam Schiff, Washington DC
Ken Doroshow, Chief Legal Officer, Recording Industry Association of America, Washington DC
Moderator: Linda Bloss-Baum, Director of the Kogod School of Business’s Business & Entertainment Program

12:30-1:30: KEYNOTE
Graham Davies, President and CEO of the Digital Media Association, Washington DC.

1:45-2:45: CHICKEN AND EGG SANDWICH: Bad Song Metadata, Unmatched Funds, KYC and What You Can Do About It
Richard James Burgess, MBE, President & CEO, American Association of Independent Music, New York
Helienne Lindvall, President, European Composer & Songwriter Alliance, London, England
Abby North, President, North Music Group, Los Angeles
Anjula Singh, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, SoundExchange, Washington DC
Moderator: Christian L. Castle, Esq, Director, Artist Rights Institute, Austin, Texas


3:15-3:30: OVERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LEGISLATION
George York, Senior Vice President International Policy from RIAA.

3:30-4:30: NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS RIGHTS IN THE AGE OF AI: Current initiatives to protect creator rights and attribution
Jeffrey Bennett, General Counsel, SAG-AFTRA, Washington, DC
Jen Jacobsen, Executive Director, Artist Rights Alliance, Washington DC
Jalyce E. Mangum, Attorney-Advisor, U.S. Copyright Office, Washington DC
Moderator: John Simson, Program Director Emeritus, Business & Entertainment, Kogod School of Business, American University

14 Nov 2024

Chris Brown Earns His First Diamond-Certified Record With ‘No Guidance’ Featuring Drake

Chris Brown‘s 2019 summer smash “No Guidance,” featuring Drake, becomes his first diamond-certified record by the Recording Industry Association of America, the RIAA announced on Wednesday (Nov. 13).

Diamond certification is given to artists whose songs have moved 10 million units. According to the RIAA, one equivalent song unit is equal to a single digital song sale, or 150 on-demand audio and/or video streams.

“DIAMOND. COOK AND REMAIN HUMBLE,” he wrote on Instagram in reaction to his feat.

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This marks Drake’s eighth diamond-certified record, following “God’s Plan,” “One Dance” (with Wizkid and Kyla), “Hotline Bling,” “Work” (with Rihanna), “Life is Good” (with Future), “Sicko Mode” (with Travis Scott), and “Love Me” (with Lil Wayne and Future). He’s the second artist in history to achieve this milestone, and ia only one away from tying Post Malone‘s all-time record with nine.

“No Guidance” was the fourth single from Brown’s 2019 album Indigo, release via RCA Records. The song reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and hit No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (27 weeks), Adult R&B Airplay (11 weeks) and Rhythmic Airplay (four weeks). He had broken the record for most weeks at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay in 2020 and surpassed his own mark a year later with “Go Crazy” with Young Thug. It was also nominated for best R&B song at the 2020 Grammy Awards and won song of the year, best collaboration and best dance performance at the 2019 Soul Train Music Awards.

30 Oct 2024

Music Has a $212 Billion Economic Impact in the U.S., Says New Study

In 2020, the U.S. music business contributed $212 billion to the country’s gross domestic product, up from $180 billion in 2017, according to the latest iteration of a report titled 50 States of Music that integrates data provided by independent record labels, performing rights organizations, independent music venues, music museums and other organizations. 

The booming music industry has also been good for the labor market. From 2017 to 2020, the number of jobs supported by the music industry grew 1.9% annually from 2.17 million to 2.54 million while overall U.S. employment growth was flat, according to the report’s study from two economists at the firm Secretariat. Direct employment — jobs in the music industry — grew from 1.13 million to 1.32 million over that time, while indirect and induced employment improved from 1.04 million to 1.22 million. Indirect employment includes jobs that result from the goods and services used by direct employment. Induced employment accounts for the jobs created by the additional spending of direct and indirect employees. 

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Fueled by streaming services and a revitalized vinyl market, U.S. wholesale recorded music revenues increased from $5.78 billion to $8.02 billion from 2017 to 2020, according to the IFPI. That growth coincided with an uptick in music businesses. Over that four-year time span, the number of music industry businesses and establishments — spanning brick-and-mortar entities to digital companies — increased from 227,000 to 252,000.

In putting a dollar amount on the U.S. music industry, the report effectively underlines the stakes in failing to stave off the threat artificial intelligence (AI) poses to the business. A thorough study of music’s economic impact is important for an industry that frequently seeks lawmakers’ intervention against new technologies and threats to copyright. If music business revenue and employment are hit by AI, the losses would create a ripple effect that touches other businesses and workers.

“As Congress and state leaders grapple to figure out smart guardrails and innovative policies for the AI age, we face a truly unique, once-in-a-generation inflection point,” wrote Mitch Glazer, chairman/CEO of the RIAA, which funded the study behind 50 States of Music. Glazier continued that he welcomed “new opportunities, sounds and experiences made possible through responsible AI innovation” but warned of the risks of “irresponsible and unethical AI.” Unauthorized and uncompensated use of copyrighted music to train AI models “threatens to rip a gaping hole in the fabric of America’s music communities” and shift music’s economic impact to “global tech giants at the expense of the artists, writers and music companies who shape America’s 50 states,” he added.

California, where music contributes $51.4 billion to the economy, has the largest impact of the 50 states in terms of earnings, employment and value added. Texas, home to nearly 128,000 songwriters (per ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and GMR), ranks second at $26.6 billion, while New York is a close third at $24.9 billion. Florida, home to the Latin music business, is fourth at $9.3 billion. Driven by country music in Nashville and the blues in Memphis, Tennessee ranks fifth at $7.5 billion. And Pennsylvania, where music supports nearly 115,000 jobs, is sixth at $6.3 billion.

The report’s authors used data from sources such as the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and private-sector data sets. Music’s economic impact was calculated by estimating its direct revenue and employment and then using what’s called a RIMS II multiplier — statistical tools developed by the Bureau of Economic Analysis — to estimate direct revenue’s downstream effects on local economies. 

10 Oct 2024

Latin Music Revenue Sets Mid-Year Record of $685 Million: RIAA

Latin music revenue hit a record high of $685 million in the first half of 2024, according to the RIAA’s mid-year Latin music report released Thursday (Oct. 10). According to the analysis, Latin increased 7% compared to the first half of 2023, led by paid streaming subscriptions, which account for two-thirds of U.S. Latin revenue. Furthermore, Latin music revenues in the first half of the year once again grew faster than the overall recorded music market. 

While the report doesn’t specify which artists or genres are directly driving this mid-year record high, Latin music’s bump can be a contributed to a number of artists who are fueling a movement. From Karol G to Peso Pluma, who are still riding high from a historic 2023, and newcomers like Xavi, it’s safe to say that a diverse collective of acts have helped usher another record year for Latin music.

“Latin music keeps soaring to new heights — setting US revenue records as we report today and driving the culture forward across the globe,” Michele Ballantyne, RIAA president & chief operating officer, said in a statement. “There’s a reason Latin is the fastest-growing genre on US streaming services. Fans just can’t get enough of its undeniable energy, emotion, power and joy.”

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The RIAA’s mid-year report explains that paid streaming subscriptions contributed more than two-thirds of total revenues. Overall, U.S. paid subscriptions reached a record average of 99 million in 2024 and delivered 68% of total revenues for US Latin music. Combined revenues from ad-supported, on-demand streaming services (including YouTube, Vevo, the free version of Spotify and social media platforms) provide nearly 25% of the total value of Latin music, compared to 10% for overall recorded music revenues.

Meanwhile, digital services (including paid and ad-supported streaming, online radio options, and digital downloads) provided 98% of total Latin music revenues in the first half of 2024. Physical revenues experienced a growth, up 21% compared to the same period in 2022.

“Latin music in the US continues to break through and reach new heights, now providing nearly 8% of total recorded music revenues in the country. Strong growth across all major formats — including a doubling of physical revenues — has enabled Latin music’s diverse mix of new and established artists’ innovative styles to fuel sustained momentum for over a decade,” added Matt Bass, RIAA vice president, research.

In April, the RIAA reported that, for a second year in a row, Latin music revenues in the U.S. had exceeded the $1 billion mark on the wings of 16% growth that outpaced the overall market.

The 35th anniversary Billboard Latin Music Week, which will feature exclusive panels, conversations and performances by Latin music’s biggest stars, will take place Oct. 14-18 in Miami. Purchase tickets to the 2024 Billboard Latin Music Week here.

25 Sep 2024

Albums That Have Been Certified Double Diamond by the RIAA: Full List

Green Day celebrated a major career milestone on Sept. 16, when their 1994 album Dookie was certified Double Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was just the 13th album to reach that plateau, which signifies shipments of 20 million albums (or streaming equivalent units) in the U.S.

Double Diamond albums were unthinkable when the RIAA launched its gold awards program in 1958. Only one album was certified gold that year (signifying $1 million in manufacturer’s dollar volume; the criteria later changed) – the soundtrack to the film adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s stage musical Oklahoma!, starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones.

Album sales grew through the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to such blockbusters as The Beatles’ Abbey Road and Carole King’s Tapestry, but there was nothing higher than gold albums until 1976, when the RIAA finally introduced platinum albums (signifying sales of 1 million units). The first platinum album was Eagles’ Their Greatest Hits 1971-75 in February 1976.

Sales continued to grow in the late ’70s and ’80s, leading the RIAA to add multiplatinum awards in October 1984. Michael Jackson’s Thriller was certified that month for sales of 20 million, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours came in at 12 million and the Bee Gees-led Saturday Night Fever soundtrack was certified at 11 million. Though the RIAA wouldn’t coin the terms until later, these three blockbusters were the first Diamond albums – with Thriller being the first Double Diamond album.

There are now 13 Double Diamond albums. As you will see, Eagles are the only act with two Double Diamond albums. Robert John “Mutt” Lange is the only producer with two Diamond Albums, and they couldn’t be much more varied – Shania Twain’s Come on Over and AC/DC’s Back in Black.

Here is every Double Diamond-certified album. We show the release date, record label, producer(s), Billboard 200 peak, RIAA certification history, top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and more. They are listed in ascending order.

24 Sep 2024

Tyga’s ‘Taste’ Becomes His First Diamond-Certified Record: ‘Thank You to Everyone That Streamed It & Twerked to It’

Tyga‘s 2018 summer smash “Taste,” featuring Offset, becomes his first diamond-certified record by the Recording Industry Association of America, the RIAA announced on Tuesday (Sept. 24).

Diamond certification is given to artists whose songs have moved 10 million units. According to the RIAA, one equivalent song unit is equal to a single digital song sale, or 150 on-demand audio and/or video streams.

“Taste just went diamond 10x platinum..Thank you to everyone that streamed it and twerked to it,” the rapper wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) along with a video of him receiving his RIAA plaque and posing with it alongside EMPIRE CEO Ghazi and COO Nima Etminan. “Get a #Taste of your first RIAA Diamond certification! Congratulations @Tyga on this incredible milestone!” RIAA wrote on response.

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Offset was also happy to hear the news. “Man this big to me,” he wrote in response to a chart data post on X, adding in his own post, “Went diamond today God is good.”

“Taste” was the lead single from Tyga’s 2019 album Legendary, released via Last Kings Music and EMPIRE. Produced by D.A. Got That Dope, the single peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning the rapper his third top 10 hit on the chart after his feature on Chris Brown‘s “Loyal” in 2014 and “Rack City” in 2012, and No. 7 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and topped Rhythmic Airplay for four weeks.

Tyga is currently supporting the second leg of Nicki Minaj‘s Pink Friday 2 World Tour.