In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets.[1] Other countries have similar awards (see music recording sales certification). Certification is not automatic; for an award to be made, the record label must request certification and pay a fee to have the sales of the recording audited. 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.
Contents
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Description and qualifications 1
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List of certifications 2
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Records 2.1
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Multi-disc 2.1.1
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Spanish 2.1.2
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Singles 2.2
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Video Longform 2.3
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Records 3
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Artists with the most certifications of Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum albums as of July 2015 4
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Artists with the most certifications of Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum singles as of January 2011 5
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RIAA Diamond certifications 6
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See also 7
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References 8
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External links 9
Description and qualifications
Presently, an American RIAA-certified Gold record is a single or album that has sold 500,000 units (records, tapes or compact discs). Originally, the requirement for a Gold single was one million units sold and a Gold album represented $1 million in sales (at wholesale value). In 1975, the additional requirement of 500,000 units sold was added for Gold albums. Reflecting growth in record sales, the Platinum award was instituted in 1976 for albums selling one million units and singles selling two million units. The Multi-Platinum award was instituted in 1984, signifying multiple Platinum levels of albums and singles. 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. 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. 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 allowed, at times, for 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.[2] 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.[3] 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. Sony was roundly criticized in 1995 for hyping Michael Jackson's double album HIStory as five times Platinum, based on shipments of 2.5 million and using the RIAA's recently adopted practice of counting each disc toward certification, while SoundScan was reporting only 1.3 million copies sold.[4] A similar discrepancy between shipments and sales was reported with The Lion King soundtrack.[5]
List of certifications
Records
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500,000 units: Gold album
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1,000,000 units: Platinum album
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2,000,000 or more units: Double-Platinum album
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3,000,000 or more units: Multi-Platinum album
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10,000,000 units: Diamond album
For further information, see Music recording sales certification.
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, each copy of The Smashing Pumpkins's Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (running time of 121:39), OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (running time of 134:56), and Shania Twain's Up! (145:44), all 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 double even though their running times are under the minimum requirement.
Spanish
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.[6]
For Latin albums certified after December 2013, the award levels are:[7]
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30,000 units: Disco de Oro
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60,000 units: Disco de Platino
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120,000 units: Disco de Multi-Platino
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600,000 units: Disco de Diamante
For certifications made prior to December 2013, the award levels are:[8]
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50,000 units: Disco de Oro
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100,000 units: Disco de Platino
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200,000 units: Disco de Multi-Platino
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1,000,000 units: Disco de Diamante
Note: The number of sales required to qualify for Oro and Platino awards was higher prior to January 1, 2008.[8] 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.[8][9] "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.[10] The Disco de Diamante award was introduced after the RIAA updated the thresholds for Latin certifications in December 2013. The Disco de Diamante is awarded to Latin albums that have been certified 10× Platinum.[11][12]
Singles
It is estimated that there have been about 2,550 combined single certifications.
Standard singles are certified:
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Gold when it ships 500,000 copies
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Platinum when it ships 1,000,000 copies
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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).[13]
Digital singles are certified:
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Gold means 500,000 certification units
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Platinum means 1,000,000 certification units
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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.[14]
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".[15][16]
Latin digital singles are certified:
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Disco de Oro (Gold) means 30,000 certification units
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Disco de Platino (Platinum) means 60,000 certification units
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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.[7]
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 is slightly different from other styles.[17]
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Gold: 50,000
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Platinum: 100,000
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Multi-Platinum: 200,000 copies
Records
Lists from RIAA site showing current status holders of RIAA Certifications:
Artists with the most certifications of Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum albums as of July 2015
Albums that have been certified Gold might receive additional certifications for achieving Platinum and Multi-Platinum levels.
Artists with the most certifications of Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum singles as of January 2011
Singles that have been certified Gold might receive additional certifications for achieving Platinum and Multi-Platinum levels. For example, Barbra Streisand has had 8 singles certified Gold, 5 of which went on to achieve Platinum certification as well.
This list includes the RIAA formats 'Single','12 inch single' and 'Video Single'. This list includes singles of the RIAA types 'standard' and 'digital'.
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Very few artists ever received a Gold 12-inch single (Donna Summer, Barbra Streisand for "Enough Is Enough", and Madonna for "Angel/Into The Groove")
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12 inch singles were given a Gold certification after sales of 500,000 or more copies sold. This took place back when more 12-inch singles were manufactured and sold.
This table tracks artists with some number of singles that have received at least ten total certifications.
RIAA Diamond certifications
Diamond (10+ million) certified albums and singles[91]
See also
References
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^ RIAA certification criteria. Retrieved on September 19, 2006
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^ Hollie, Pamela. "Record Industry: Big Changes" The New York Times January 12, 1980: 27
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^ Lendt, C.K. (1997). Kiss and Sell: The Making of a Supergroup. p. 95.
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^ Farber, Jim (1995-09-11). "Don't Buy into Jax' Pyramid Scheme: Platinum-Status Symbol on 'History' Marking Over 5-million Albums Sold Proves to Be as Worthless as Fool's Gold". Daily News. New York. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ 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".
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^ "About".
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^ a b "RIAA Updates Latin Gold & Platinum Program". RIAA. December 20, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
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^ a b c Lamy, Jonathon (February 14, 2008). "Country Takes The Crop". RIAA. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2011.
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^ "RIAA Launches 'Los Premios de Oro y De Platino' to Recognize Top Latin Artists" (Press release). RIAA. January 25, 2000. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
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^ Cobo, Leila (August 18, 2001). "Latin Notas". Billboard (Prometheus Global Media) 113 (33): 32. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
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^ "Diamante Awards". RIAA. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
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^ "History of the Awards". RIAA. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
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^ Grein, Paul (May 14, 1989). "New Golden Rule: 500,000 Sales Mark for All Singles".
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^
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^ "RIAA Adds Digital Streams To Historic Gold & Platinum Awards".
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^ "NEW "COMBINED" DIGITAL SINGLE AWARD".
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^ Billboard.com Latest Video Longform Certifications at the Wayback Machine (archived May 19, 2008) Retrieved on May 14, 2008
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^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm "Gold & Platinum: Artist Tallies".
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Elvis Presley". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Rihanna". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Lil Wayne". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Mariah Carey". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Taylor Swift". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Madonna". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Tallies The Decade's Top Gold & Platinum Award Winners". Retrieved September 17, 2011.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Beyoncé". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by The Beatles". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Michael Jackson". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Whitney Houston". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Janet Jackson". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Elton John". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Lady Gaga". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Kanye West". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Carrie Underwood". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by The Temptations". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by R. Kelly". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Chris Brown". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by T.I". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2012-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Boyz II Men". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Jay-Z". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Linkin Park". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Black Eyed Peas". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Justin Timberlake". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "Certi11fications -". 2008.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Aretha Franklin". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Nelly". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by The Bee Gees". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Creedence Clearwater Revival". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Ludacris". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Kenny Chesney". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Prince". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Flo Rida". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Monica". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Paul McCartney". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Olivia Newton John". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Brad Paisley". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Celine Dion". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by TLC". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Tim McGraw". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Barbra Streisand". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by T-Pain". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Alicia Keys". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Diddy". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Fergie". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by 50 Cent". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Notorious B.I.G". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Shakira". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Christina Aguilera". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Kelly Clarkson". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Jason Aldean". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ a b "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Sugarland". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Green Day". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Avril Lavigne". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Ne-Yo". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by L.L. Cool J". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Destiny's Child". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Rascal Flatts". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Fall Out Boy". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Natasha Bedingfield". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Ke$ha". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2011-08-05.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Epic Rap Battles of History". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2015-06-24.
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^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Search for singles by Selena Gomez". Riaa.com. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
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^ "Diamond Awards". RIAA. Retrieved 2015-07-15.
External links
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RIAA Website
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Search RIAA Gold and Platinum Database
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