The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) has announced its Class Of 2021, recognizing artists who achieved Gold or Platinum status for the very first time. This year, 43 artists from several different genres earned their first Gold, Platinum, or Multi-Platinum certification.
The Newcomers Who Made Waves This Year
A song or album reaches gold status when it achieves combined sales and/or streams of 500,000, platinum status for 1 million, and multi-platinum status for 2 million or higher. For the class of 2021, only titles released in 2020 and 2021 and certified in 2021 are eligible. Last year, 53 artists earned such honor.
The artists who earned the achievement this year include musicians like pop stars Olivia Rodrigo and salem ilese, country newcomer Lily Rose, rappers Pooh Shiesty and Coi Leray, and R&B rising artist Zoe Wees. Other acts that made waves this year with their hits and also achieved the recognition are Alexander 23, carolesdaughter, jxdn, Royal & The Serpent, Sara Kays, and Tai Verdes. Check out the full list down below!
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The RIAA Class of 2021 Celebrates Music
“This year’s ‘Class Of 2021’ first-time Gold & Platinum Awards club joins a towering group of musical giants. Legends who have shaped our culture and achieved the very highest level of creative and commercial success. It’s especially great to see this year’s crop of Nashville-based stars carrying on the Music City’s legacy launching amazing careers and Gold & Platinum success,” RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier tells MusicRow. “Congratulations to all of this year’s artists and the label teams that helped them reach this incredible milestone moment. We can’t wait to see what you do next!”
“These awards celebrate some of the most special moments in our industry; when new voices emerge and find their place on the national stage,” Glazier adds to Billboard. “Music never stands still. These dynamic breakthrough artists and the label teams supporting them are a big part of the reason why.”
