Adele Tops 2011 RIAA Gold & Platinum Certifications
http://www.fmqb.com/article.asp?id=2385787
February 1, 2012
The RIAA announces that in 2011, it set a new record for Gold and Platinum certifications for digital downloads, with a 25 percent increase over 2010. In total, 411 digital songs were certified in 2011, vs. 313 in 2010. Multi-Platinum download certifications nearly doubled in volume year-over-year: 112 multi-Platinum digital singles were certified in 2011 vs. 66 in 2010.
"It’s exciting to award more download certifications than ever before and another sign that digital music has gone completely mainstream," said RIAA Chairman/CEO Cary Sherman. "The RIAA’s historic Gold and Platinum program continues to evolve and reflect the way fans access and enjoy music. We are thrilled to honor a record number of outstanding artist achievements today, and we look forward to another banner year in 2012."
Adele's 21 was of course the best-selling record of 2011, and was certified 5X multi-Platinum last year. "Rolling In The Deep" was also certified 5X multi-Platinum. Lady Gaga's Born This Way and Tha Carter IV from Lil Wayne were both certified as double-Platinum. Overall, Gaga topped 19 million digital downloads in 2011, with Weezy selling over 10 million songs digitally.
Eminem and Rihanna's hit "Love The Way You Lie" was the highest-certified song released in 2011, going 5X multi-Platinum, as Em's 2010 release Recovery went 4X Platinum. His Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show were also certified for Diamond awards, as both album have now sold 10 million copies each.
Five songs released in 2011 netted triple-Platinum plaques as well: Adele’s "Someone Like You," Foster The People’s "Pumped Up Kicks," LMFAO’s "Party Rock Anthem." Jennifer Lopez’s "On The Floor" and Nicki Minaj’s "Super Bass."
In 2011 the RIAA awarded a total of 168 album and 411 digital single certifications, a complete list of which can be found at RIAA.com.