The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has adopted a new methodology for their Gold & Platinum program to account for streaming and track sales. Effective February 1, 2016, the RIAA will factor streaming and track sales into album awards, with 1,500 on-demand audio streams or 150 on-demand video streams equal to one album sale. This change modernizes the awards to reflect how audiences now consume music digitally rather than buying physical copies. While some artists like Big Sean have expressed joy over receiving platinum status under the new system, others like Kendrick Lamar's label CEO are unhappy, preferring the previous requirement of one million physical albums sold to achieve platinum status.

1. Kiana Nelson
2 February 2016
Blog Post#1
NEW RULES
The Recording Industry Associationof Americahas adopted a new
Gold & Platinum Program methodologyto album awards. The awards
acknowledge artistic accomplishments with album sales. Effective
February 1, 2016,the RIAA’s Gold & Platinum Album Award will
factor in streaming & track sales.
The 58-year Gold & Platinum program initially set criterion of 500,000
(Gold), 1,000,000 (Platinum) and 2,000,000(Multi-Platinum) sales.
The new methodologywas discussed with music experts, analyzing
historical influence. The formula is:
1,500 on demand audio and/or song streams = 10 track sales = 1 album sale
In addition, the ratio now includes 150 on-demand audio/video
streams = 1 download. This innovation adapts to the evolving music
marketplace, catering to audience that no longer buy physical copies
and preferto download music content. “Modernizing our Album
Award to include music streaming is the next logical step in the
continued evolution of Gold & Platinum Awards, and doing so
enables RIAA to fully reward the success ofartists’ albums today,”
says Cary Sherman (RIAA-CEO, Chairman).
Urban artists such as KendrickLamar, The Weeknd,& Big Sean
have beenawarded platinum status since effective,but not everyone
involved in the creation of these albums are happy with the new
methodology. Lamar’s label Founding CEO,Anthony “Top Dawg”
Tiffith took to Twitter to express his disapproval:
“We don’t stand behindthis RIAA BS, ole skool rules apply.
One million [physical] albumssoldis platinum.Until we reach
that #, save all the congrats.No cheatcodes 2 platinum.”

2. Tiffith may be inclined to favor an old school approach because of
musical influences such as 2Pac & Biggie Smalls who filled the radio
waves while growing up in Compton,California. During this period,
one million physical sales defined platinum status. Kendrick Lamar
has made no statement regarding the award. Other recipients like Big
Sean expressedtheir joy over platinum status,
“Damn neartears of joy in my eyes![…..] It’s nothingbutlove
over here and we promiseto give you our best.Thank you GOD!
IDFWU 3x Plat, Blessings 2x Plat,One Man- Gold,I Know-Gold,
Paradise-Gold,Dark Sky Paradise #platinum thank you [praying
hands emoji].”
Sean is a millennial artist signed to Kanye West,a rapper that is a no
stranger to unique marketing and publicity tactics, as well as
unconventional ways to achieve success inthe music industry. For
more information on the Recording Industry Associationof America’s
Album Award visitriaa.com.