Sunday, May 19, 2013

RIAA Adds Streaming to Sales Certifications



The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), has decided to add streaming to Platinum and Gold certifications, and a certain song is now the most certified song in history because of it.
Justin Bieber's Baby is now certified 12x Platinum, which knocks Elton John's Candle in the Wind from the title, which is at 11x Platinum. For reference, Candle in the Wind sold an incredible 3.5 million copies in its first week and spent 14 weeks at number one in the US, topped the charts in 47 countries, and has since sold 11 million copies. Bieber's Baby debuted at No.5, failed to make the year-end chart, and has sold 3.9 million copies. But because of its 800 million YouTube hits, 'Baby' is now certified higher than 'Candle.'

Eminem and Rihanna's Love the Way You Lie is now also 11x platinum, but 'Lie' was also a bonafide hit. It debuted at No.2 with 338,000 first week sales, and spent 7 weeks at No.1. Because of those sales, it made its way to 5x platinum. But with rule changes, its 560 million hits added 6 platinum ratings.

Lady Gaga's Bad Romance is now her biggest hit in the US making its way to 10x platinum. 'Romance' debuted at No.9 in December 2009 with 142,000 copies sold, before logging 7 weeks at No.2. It has gone on to move 5.2 million copies. At one point the most viewed video on YouTube of all time, its 460 million plus hits doubled its rating.

Here are all the songs that picked up new certifications:


What do you think of RIAA's new criteria? Do you thinks its crazy that a song can go Diamond without even charting on Radio Charts? The Biebz over Houston and John? Discuss!