The Recording Industry Association Of America has announced a new rule change that’s set to change the world of music forever.
For, as to accomodate the industry’s ever changing trends, they have revealed that digital streams will now count towards sales certifications awarded to entertainers.
Full story below…
In a statement released today, the company explained the following:
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) today announced the integration of streams to its historic Gold & Platinum (G&P) Program, the industry’s premier award for recognizing artistic achievement in the marketplace. On-demand audio and/or video song streams will now be counted towards the 500,000 (Gold), 1,000,000 (Platinum) and 2,000,000 plus (multi-Platinum) thresholds required for G&P’s Digital Single Award certification.
56 titles, encompassing songs from dozens of music labels and spanning many musical genres, are included in the inaugural certifications (attached) for the newly expanded Digital Single Award. Specifically, the RIAA is awarding 11 Gold, 18 Platinum and 27 multi-Platinum new “combined” Digital Single Awards counting both downloads and streams. This includes streams from on-demand services like MOG, Muve Music, Rdio, Rhapsody, Slacker, Spotify, Xbox Music and others, plus video streaming services likeMTV.com, VEVO, Yahoo! Music, YouTube and more.
“Including music streaming in Gold & Platinum awards marks the continued evolution of the industry’s premier program for recognizing artistic achievement, and it reflects the wide spectrum of ways consumers enjoy music from their favorite bands,” said Cary Sherman, Chairman & CEO, RIAA. “The music business, along with its incredible array of digital service partners, is offering fans more access to music than ever before. We’re thrilled that our awards will now more fully recognize artists’ commercial success today.”
With the launch of the new program, RIAA today is awarding the following artists/songs with new certifications:
30 Seconds To Mars/”This Is War,” Adele/”Rolling in the Deep, “Aerosmith/”I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,” Andy Grammer/”Keep Your Head Up,” Anna Kendrick/”Cups,” Avril Lavigne/”Smile,” Ca$h Out/”Cashin’ Out,” Carly Rae Jepsen/”Call Me Maybe,” Carrie Underwood/”Before He Cheats,” Cher Lloyd/”Oath,” Don Omar/”Danza Kuduro,” Drake/”Started from The Bottom,” Emeli Sandé/”Next To Me,” Eminem/”Love The Way You Lie,” Frank Ocean/”Thinkin Bout You,” Gym Class Heroes feat. Ryan Tedder/”The Fighter,” Imagine Dragons/”Radioactive,” J. Cole/”Workout,” Jake Owen/”Alone With You” and “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” Jason Derulo/”Watcha Say” and “Ridin’ Solo,” Josh Turner/”Why Don’t We Just Dance,” Journey/”Don’t Stop Believin,'” Juanes/”La Camisa Negra,” Justin Bieber/”Baby,” Justin Timberlake/”Suit & Tie,” Kansas/”Dust In The Wind,” Kanye West/”Stronger,” Kelly Clarkson/”Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” Kelly Rowland/”Motivation,” Kendrick Lamar/”Poetic Justice,” Kenny Chesney/”The Boys Of Fall,” Lady Gaga/”Bad Romance,” Lana Del Rey/”Video Games,” LMFAO/”Sexy And I Know It,” M83/”Midnight City,” Michael Jackson/”Billie Jean,” Of Monsters And Men/”Little Talks,” Olly Murs/”Troublemaker,” One Direction/”Little Things,” P!nk feat. Nate Ruess/”Just Give Me A Reason,” Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera/”Feel This Moment,” Rihanna/”We Found Love,” Robin Thicke/”Lost Without U,” Selena Gomez & The Scene/”Love You Like A Love Song,” The Black Keys/”Lonely Boy,” The Fray/ “Over My Head (Cable Car),” The Script/”The Man Who Can’t Be Moved,” The Weeknd/”Wicked Games,” Toby Keith/”Beers Ago,” Train/”Drive By,” Usher/”Scream,” Whitney Houston/”I Will Always Love You,” Will.i.am/”Scream & Shout” and Wisin & Yandel/”Follow The Leader.”
This new expansion of the G&P Program – the approach, methodology and formula – was the culmination of a year-long project by the RIAA, led by Sherman, and a variety of label marketing, business and data analysis executives, in which the RIAA examined comprehensive information comparing data on digital downloads to similar data on on-demand audio and video streams. The RIAA also closely consulted with NARM/digitalmusic.org, many digital music services, artist managers and industry leaders. It is important to note the new certification approach, including the formula of 100 streams being equivalent to one download, is an approximate barometer of comparative consumer activity; the financial value of streams and downloads were not factored into the equation.
Notably, the following 11 artists are receiving their first-ever RIAA digital song certifications due to streaming’s inclusion to the program:
30 Seconds To Mars /“This Is War” at Gold, Aerosmith/“I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” at Platinum, Andy Grammer/“Keep Your Head Up” at Platinum, Anna Kendrick/“Cups” at Gold, Emeli Sandé/“Next to Me” at Gold, Juanes/“La Camisa Negra” at Gold, Lana Del Rey/“Video Games” at Gold, Robin Thicke/“Lost Without U” at Platinum, The Weeknd/“Wicked Games” at Gold, Whitney Houston/”I Will Always Love You” at 2x multi-Platinum and Wisin & Yandel/“Follow The Leader at Gold.
Tonight, Emeli Sandé, Cher Lloyd and Jason Derulo will pick up inaugural “combined” Digital Single Awards during a red-carpet event at the NARM and digitalmusic.org Music Biz conference, held at Los Angeles’ Hyatt Regency Century Plaza. Capitol Records singer Sandé will receive her first-ever RIAA Gold award for “Next To Me,” Epic Records artist Lloyd her second RIAA Gold for “Oath” (“Want U Back” is currently RIAA 2x multi-Platinum) and Warner Bros. Records musician Derulo will take home his top RIAA award yet – a 4x multi-Platinum for “Watcha Say” – in addition to a 3x multi-Platinum for “Ridin’ Solo.”
Jim Donio, President of music business association NARM commented, “Getting streams included in the RIAA’s Gold and Platinum Awards certification has been a top agenda item for all of the member music services who participate in our digitalmusic.org Music Subscription Work Group. They are especially pleased to see these collaborative efforts come to fruition, and for music fan’s streaming activity be measured and recognized by the G&P Awards, one of the most important milestones in an artist’s career. Over the past few years, our members have also worked on related initiatives such as the creation of the first On Demand Songs Chart with Billboard and Nielsen, and we will continue to work with the RIAA and others as our industry evolves in the digital era.”
On-demand streams on digital music services that are authorized by and reported to the record labels, whether paid for by the consumer through a subscription or free to the consumer through ad-supported services, will be accepted for RIAA certifications. Only official label/company videos count towards certification; user generated videos do not. Whymusicmatters.com, a joint initiative of the RIAA, NARM, and digitalmusic.org, lists the leading authorized music services in the United States.
The RIAA developed its Gold & Platinum Awards Program in 1958 to honor artists and create a standard by which to measure the commercial success of a sound recording. The program trademarked the Gold record and formalized the industry practice of presenting awards to artists for music sales achievements.
First awarded to LP recordings but expanded to a number of formats overtime to include cassette tapes, CDs, digital tracks, digital albums, ringtones, and now streams, more than 14,000 titles have been certified by the RIAA during the last 55 years.
All certifications are calculated by the firm Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman, which has audited title sales for the RIAA for more than 30 years. Complete lists of all album, single, mastertone and video awards can also be accessed at riaa.com, while new and notable program news can be found at facebook.com/GoldandPlatinum.
In all honesty, we’re a little torn with this one.
For, while including digital streams when certifying acts provides a whole holistic approach to how popular- or attractive- an artist is with and to consumers- this new rule runs the risk of cheapening what it means to go Gold, Platinum and in some cases… Multi- Platinum.
In theory, this new rule could push an act to Platinum status even if the ‘consumers’ streaming their music dislikes it- awarding entertainers for the pulling power they have over bringing in views and not how many of their fans went out and actually purchased their product.
However, if the allure of being certified encourages and increases competition within the industry, then this new rule may be the fire many an act needs to fuel all aspects of their brand- especially on a promotional tip.
For, with views now counting towards potential chart glory, crafting unique content that’ll pull in viewers en masse may see the quality of these videos and the campaigns behind them soar higher than they did before.
So, let us know….
So i dont see beyonce anywhere,?
Because her 50 million+ is legit
Yea right \…Fraud! You mean Jay Z brought some of her hits like with RIhanni and Rota ! So why is Jay Z only signing red bones? Side piece?
Any hoop to the shot shoot shoot…Congrats over due and in order to the late great Whitney houston. Shoop shoop!
They’re making it waaaayyy too easy.
I think that they do that in Denmark for example. Diamonds went Platinum (singles sales) and 3xPlatinum (streaming). If that will get them more coins, ok…
J.lo & Rihanna looked so beautiful & fierce that night at the Grammys…. bey looked basic as always…
As always? Not in my opinion. Quite naturally I have always found Beyonce and Jlo very attractive. Rihanna is the epitome of basic without makeup on.
Oh, and as good as JLo usually looks she did not look fierce that night. I didn’t like her outfit at all. Beyonce served me more life…and she had on a damn pants suit lol.
YOU TRIED. But JLo slayed everyone that night. Did you see Jay-z’s reaction? have 10.
Why are you even talking about Jlo in this article, this article is about a new awards program that pertains to music artists, and as you can read, Jlo name isn’t on this listed or even mention in the article, so apparently they don’t consider Jlo a music artist?? With no Grammys awards in the 20 years in the music business, I guess with that history who would consider Jlo a music artist????
What an absolute joke.
It is what the record SELLS should be monitored and certified, not streaming! The amount a record sells is a clear display of the number of people that legally buy music.
The RIAA are so delusional. Chart idiocy.
WHO CARES BEYONCE & RIHANNA ARE BOTH NEGROS WHO EAT CHICKEN AND DRINK KOOL-AID! WHAT ELES IS NEW???
GO DOWNLOAD KREAYSHAWN ALBUM ON ITUNES N.I.G.G.E.R.S. OR ELES I. GONNA THROW A WATERMELON AT YOUR HEAD AND SAY EAT A D*** WITH BACON!
No one knows your fav…. stop trying thanks!
And TrayTrashYawn is nothing but an ugly racist white unknown flop trying to promote herself on an urban blog because only 3K copies were sold of her last album.
LMAO that will be so funny if that really was kreay behind that s*** tho. I know one thing she keeps promoting that album so we never know.
I don’t give a f*** on the whole “singles” thing TBH and I find it all worthless . . I just care about album sales, tour numbers and Forbes.
Considering my fav has always been very strong at all of them since 1998 and still can do fine, I got nothing to worry about . . .
Who that nappy headed black women on your AVI? Does she eat KFC chicken?
lol b**** you know you know you give f*** 🙂 just because dat one can;t get a hit and sell and album to save her life dosen’t mean the rest dosen’t, now sit in the corner and watch the rulers of the charts do there thing
Well.. For your info you stupid chicken eating fool. My fave is pregnant! So she is taking care of her business. She will be back with a smash hit for the radio while you continue to be living off food stamps
i wasn’t talking to you boo, my comment is directed @H20 that thirsty b****.
@ Mother Monster
No hun . .
Just because most of these “chart rulers” are singles-greedy powerless flops who get robbed by their labels and get no s*** for theirselves in the end, doesn’t mean the half of pop’s first billionaire couple does even have a f*** to give.
You should’ve put it in that order . .
And I wasn’t referring to Rihanna in my comment . . she’s already proved to be a respectful album seller 🙂
@H2O :
stop givin’ that sewer Rat some exposure , you are so much better than that.
🙄
just ignore IT , it is another TGJ trick.
You’re right . .
lol good, this post has absolutely nothing to do with beyonce but for reason samantha wants to include her into mix but we all know whose really benefiting from this *sips tea*
neither is JLo, but she’s also in the pic. Why don’t you hop off Beyonce’s ass.
Sounds pathetic!!!
We´ll see if this makes any difference or not. To be honest I don´t have time to read all that right now
What the big deal , they are right for making that change, because if all the streaming didn’t exist etc albums would go platinum and multi-platinum much faster nowadays.
“they are making it way too easy”
you have to look at it on both sides: before this internet generation, albums would sell much faster cause people would buy an entire album just for one single…
very true. I agree, this generation is all about downloading.. and immediate gratification. But this causes most artists to be reliant on singles constantly.. which causes saturation.. then over exposure.. Rather than have an album that can stand on its on for 12-18 months
Negros be on my d*** man. I’m just a white girl from Oakland city man get off my d*** yo! I’m tired of n***** on my d*** with a Rihanna forehead.
Streaming is the new black, technology is changing and so should the music industry, people don’t even pirate music like they use to before cause of application like spotify and rdio. They’ll save space on your computer plus you get your music any place, anytime and you just pay a small subscription fee for pretty much every music by each artist. I understand iTunes (mac) is going to do the same streaming service come later this year but you still have option to buy the music. so i really looking forward to this new change. Streaming is the new thing! catch up kids.
GO EAT A D*** WITH CHICKEN GREASE ON IT N****
THEY SO DID THIS FOR CIARA!!! In other newwws:
Who would u f***?
Ciara
Rihanna
beyonce
Madonna
Mariah
I’m Deciding between Madonna and Ciara. Hmmmm which is more manly?
“in other news” lol..how is this news :/
Gurlll this is news because I want someone to f*** me….im horny as f***.
Rihanna *with a condom on tho* .
Dead!! ROFL
to make long story short , RIHANNA will OWN those Bithces for Life and they can do nothing about it.
she owns the digital world of music.
😈
but seriously tho , I’m 50/50 with that rule tho.
I can see that happen TBH . .
Finally she’s the Queen of digital track sales in the states and the Queen of VEVO views, so she’ll get platinum certifications for even her promo / urban singles.
she will basically fart and put it in a Loop, put it as a single , it will reach #1 in secs and and her music video will get certified at least one month later.
We ,The NAVY, Own This S***.
What a basic attitude to take. Shame thats what it takes. I wouldnt be proud.
I tell it as it is, you should thank me i said it.
sad part is.. this is true. Rihanna will continue to dominate… regardless of quality
It’s obvious that @WHITE TRASH MOB you’re troll and you’re looking for some needy attention but i will no be little myself and stoop to your level by entertaining your ignorance. This is the first and last time i will be addressing you, i hope others will follow and put you on mute.
white gurl bob promoting that album. :3
WHAT YOUR MAD CAUSE I TOLD YOU TO EAT A BIG FAT C*** WITH CHICKEN GREASE ON IT. F*** YOU NEGRO! YOU NO F****** FUN YOU F*** N****!!! @unbiased h** YOU STAY OUT OF IT YOU UGLY ASS H**.
MAKE SURE YA GO COP THAT KREAYSHAWN ON ITUNES!!!
hate mangers have a life live bey alone don’t bey made she is born with raw talente that you wish your favorite can have
-HITS YOU WITH GRAMMAR BOOK-
What’s the point? Digital certifications are already inflated at a 1:1.8/2 ratio. Comparing $0.49 and $1.29 singles to $1.99 and $4.99 singles in the 80’s and 90’s…. ch… Those GOLD and PLATINUM singles were legendary accomplishments. “I Gotta Feeling” =\= “I Will Always Love You”
this is the Official end of the music industry tbh.
I am so for this. I pay for my subscription to Spotify, so it doesn’t make sense for me to go out and purchase that music too.
I see the point to including streaming. I saw the point in including youtube views. However, I feel this has basically watered down the true meaning of selling records. In a sense we have to meet the market, and I understand album sales are down, but I don’t feel this is an accurate depiction of what music is. It seems that the charts are turning into a popularity contest, rather than a show of skill. Times are changing though, and what was once important now plays a back seat to personality and personal life. It’s ashame, but looking at it.. this is probably the best way to sum up this generations mindset
@NAVI YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A F*** P**** NEGRO REMEMBER THAT S*** MY N****. ALWAY BE A F*** P**** ASS NEGRO!
Go cop that kreayshawn album on iTunes & download her hit singles “go hard” ” breakfast feat 2chainz” Gucci Gucci” make sure ya got cop them bangers right there
SMH at the RIAA. I never understood why the Hot 100 wasn’t just based on sales. Like the U.K – an official chart and an AirPlay chart. I don’t understand who keeps makin these decisions asif YouTube streams bein counted wasn’t bad enough!’
Wtf this is a mess. That completly detracts from the idea of SELLING.
Hopefully Rihanna will release “Jump” around the same time . . It’ll go diamond!
The music industry will loose all credibilty if this is the case. The worst artists will get the shine. PSY, Rihanna smh…..
Nooo just when def jam are trying to promote traditional sales…poor stay never released to spotify.
No! RIAA is trashy. I’m not real into charts right now
Absolutely awful idea. The whole point of the word selling is taking money out of your pocket to put it towards something. Especially if it includes albums. So basic singles b****** like Rihanna will be put on the same level of sellers like Adele? Kmt. I am here for quality over quantity.
this artist make money off streaming just as they make from traditional sales so why souldnt it count in their certification it already counts on their charting positions so…
I dont take the charts serious now anyway.
Well this benefits my favs so Im ok. I think certifications should be for sales but people listen to music differently now with technology.
“So basic singles b****** like Rihanna will be put on the same level of sellers like Adele?”
No you dumb c***, they did not say that only streaming will be consider for certifications ! they said it will count as part of ! Therefore Adele’s streams will count into her certifications and push her further in her reign…
B**** I know its not only that. But in reality, Rihanna wouldnt be able to touch Adele. People wont drop that many coins for her, but now this is gonna make it look like actually has a chance of competing.
BOW DOWN to queen rih! she gon own ALL your faves from now on! lol! she is the KING of digital tracks! NO ONE can beat her! that reign won’t NEVER let up!
Taylor Swift is actually the queen of digital sales.
Technology is here to stay. All you people still living in 1995 need to catch up. The music game has changed. Crying about how things used to be is a waste of time because those days are over and are never coming back. Deal.
This shyt is dumb…. They are cheapening the brand of music. This still won’t change whose brought whomevers albums. Those are important. The singles chart should be made up of AirPlay/Sales. That’s it period !! They should have just made another chart for streaming/youtube views….
Im not really here for this. I know technology has changed but to ‘sell’ is to ‘sell’. Theyre basically riggling round the definition. Why cant they make it a separate or chart or whatever? It shouldnt be combined because now, the word selling holds no meaning.
Seperate chart*
But… Isnt this going to give people more of an excuse not to actually buy their faves stuff?
They shouldve just made a seperate chart to recognise it. Other countries manage it, who does the thinking over at RIAA?
Well heres hope for Keyshia Cole and Ciara
This sounds tragic! I don’t think streaming should be incorporated into sales certifications simply because a sale is not actually being made. Period! We actually don’t know if those viewing an audio/video are even supporters of the artists they’re checking out. These new adjustments in Billboard rules(that keep happening every 3 minutes in this decade) seem to only cater to artists or movements (Gangnam Style, Harlem Shake) that need hype. Pitbull, Ke$ha, Flo Rida, etc or any of these kind of “artists” that #struggle to make an impact or move album units (because they don’t have a real following) will benefit from this. It’s only a strategy to glamorize the bogus “achievements” of these artists by making them appear to be more successful than they truly are. This unfortunately works in 2013. People can see a gimmick a mile away, but they turn a blind eye to it because it’s ok to be so blatantly desperate. It’s like a win is a win, no matter how cheap it is now! Let them keep it up, the whole history of the charts will be disrespected.
all you h*** on this site running your mouth could be out there getting a RIAA certification through the internet they are giving everyone a chance.
LMAO Only Beyonce fans are mad, and we all know why.
Anyway more platinum plaques for Rihanna, most viewed artist on Vevo/YouTube.
Babe keep that theory, I am not a Beyonce fan but think the idea is pathetic. Anyone with common sense knows this is desperate on RIAAs part.
Who cares b****** just be happy that now your fave might potentially get A certifiction of any kind lol
This will not affect anyones personal life , some of yall on here are just plain silly and pathetic .. Let these artists get their shine and certifications
I dont see why Beyonce fans would be mad, this will help her aswell anyway. Majority of the people on here have average ass sales Beyonce and Rihanna included. Gaga needed discounts to achieve big numbers. Yet people like Adele still manage to sell well. This new rule is so deceiving.
DEAD at people sympathising with the artists about getting coins and getting shine and s***. People like Rihanna, Beyonce, Katy Perry and Gaga dont no more damn shine or coins! Its them thats gonna be getting the most out of this because they will get streamed and youtube views off their names alone! Its the up and coming unique artists i feel sorry for who will be overshadowed.
Here we go, rewarding mediocrity as usual.
So does this mean that Kelly Rowland’s Motivation is now going to be like triple platinum or something?
So let me get this straight…according to this, if your song gets 500,000 views on YouTube it’s certified Gold?! Are you kidding me? So we’re basically awarding flops Gold and Platinum records now? Come up with new titles such as Bronze, Silver etc or at least put Gold up to 10 million, Platinum up to 50 and Double Platinum up to 100 million (only on streams obviously because selling 100 million singles is nearly impossible these days) and then we’re talking. I don’t want to live in a world where “Hot Problems” is a godamn platinum record TYVM.
Maybe if you flea market going to, boot legging, music stealing queens would actually purchase music they wouldn’t need to look for new avenues to calculate spins.
When we wake up tomorrow morning, Rihanna will have broken 10 more records because of this b******* change.
Music industry died when Xtina Flopped.
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