WASHINGTON – One of the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA’s) most certified groups ever, Bob Marley & The Wailers, earned May’s top album certification, according to Gold & Platinum’s newest monthly tally. “Legend” (Island, 1984) certified 15x multi-Platinum just in time for the iconic album’s 30th anniversary and album re-release with added songs!
Capitol Nashville solo singer Luke Bryan continues to climb the Gold & Platinum ladder. Luke’s latest album “Crash My Party” reached 2x multi-Platinum, while four songs from the album secured RIAA Digital Single Awards: “That’s My Kind Of Night” and “Crash My Party” certified 2x multi-Platinum and “Play It Again” and “Drink A Beer” notched Platinum.
Georgia bred crooner Brantley Gilbert earned his first Platinum album award for “Halfway To Heaven” (The Valory Music Co., 2011). Gilbert also saddled up to his third Platinum Digital Single Award for current hit “Bottoms Up.”
Proving he hasn’t lost his Midas touch, John Legend earned his fourth Gold album award, for his fourth album release, “Love In The Future” (Columbia). Popular love song from the album, “All Of Me,” is Legend’s highest certified song yet at 2x multi-Platinum.
Celebrations were in order for Foster The People as “Pumped Up Kicks” took the month’s highest digital single award – a 6x multi-Platinum – counting download sales and on-demand streams. No small feat, the Columbia track is the band’s highest certified song yet.
Warner Bros. Records’ R&B and pop singer Jason Derulo earned a 3x multi-Platinum award for “Talk Dirty.” Derulo recently crossed into country, joining Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan on stage at June’s CMT Awards to remix “This Is How We Roll” (RIAA Platinum certified) with “Talk Dirty.” One thing’s for sure: all three acts roll with lots of heavy G&P metal!
Two Republic Records songstresses earned their second Platinum Digital Single Awards in May: Ariana Grande for “Problem” and Lorde for “Team.” Grande’s top certified song to date is “The Way” at 2x multi-Platinum and Lorde’s is “Royals” at 6x multi-Platinum.
The RIAA certified 13 songs Gold in May for surpassing the 500,000 threshold with downloads and on-demand streams, while notable first Golds were earned by country artist Frankie Ballard for “Helluva Life” (Warner Bros. Nashville), electronic music duo Disclosure’s “Latch” (Cherry Tree/Interscope) and three christian acts: Jamie Grace’s “Hold Me” featuring TobyMac (Gotee Records), Grits’ “Ooh Ahh” featuring TobyMac (Gotee Records) and Newsboys’ “God’s Not Dead (Like A Lion)” (Inpop Records).
In May 10 albums and 43 digital singles were awarded. All certifications are calculated by Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman. Complete lists of all album, single, mastertone and video awards can also be accessed at www.riaa.com.
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