Forty-one singles from 39 artists scored first-time Gold & Platinum certifications
“Firsts” always hold a special significance, and for 39 stars on the rise, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) introduces those whose first certifications were earned in 2022. Forty-one singles from the #RIAAClassOf 2022 earned coveted Gold & Platinum awards, celebrating major consumption thresholds as fans keep them on repeat and found labels at work overtime.
“Whenever a Gold, Platinum or Diamond certification is earned, it represents massive engagement from an artist’s fans, and a remarkable achievement by the artist, their creative teams, and their record label. And when it is your very first RIAA award, it’s even more special. We are so encouraged by the success of this #RIAAClassOf 2022 and are honored to help celebrate their immense talents,” says RIAA COO Michele Ballantyne.
Among the highlights are Gayle who scored the highest certification for a first-time certified artist this year with her 3x Platinum single “abcdefu” on Atlantic Records. Bailey Zimmerman produced two of the seven Platinum singles with “Fall In Love” and “Rock and A Hard Place” on Warner Music Nashville/Elektra Records.
Other notable names on the list include Billie Eilish, GloRilla, Twice, Nate Smith and Warren Zeiders. The full list can be viewed at the RIAA’s website.
Thirty-three new titles by first-time certified artists were certified Gold for surpassing 500,000 units (sales + streaming equivalents). Sixteen pop, 10 R&B/hip hop, eight country, four alternative, one Americana/folk, one Christian/gospel and one dance/electronic singles from the #RIAAClassOf 2022 were added to the prestigious Gold & Platinum program.
Since inception in 1958, the Gold & Platinum program has celebrated artists whose songs and albums have produced significant US consumption milestones. These coveted awards are a testament to the artists, their creative and label teams as well as the fans whose playlists are on repeat.
