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Washington, DC - With the industry beginning to enjoy what they hope will be a strong fourth quarter, the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) Gold® and Platinum® award program posted a solid month with albums from some of music's biggest names earning awards in November. Reprise Records' Enya continued her climb up the Multi-Platinum™ ladder with "A Day Without Rain" which is now certified for sales in excess of five million copies matching the success of her 1991 release "Shepherd Moons." "Songs In A Minor," the J Records debut of R&B superstar Alicia Keys continued it's run and has been certified quadruple Platinum® just five short months after being released after selling an additional million copies. "Our members have not only delivered some of the most anticipated albums but are continuing to generate hits with existing product and consumers appear to be responding," said RIAA President and CEO Hilary Rosen. Staind's "Break The Cycle," the follow up to their Platinum® debut "Dysfunction," also added another million and is has been certified for sales of more than four million copies. Three of the year's most eagerly anticipated albums earned both Gold® and Platinum® honors in their first eligible audit last month. Usher's latest for LaFace, "8701," Ja Rule's "Pain Is Love" and "Morning View" by Columbia Records' Incubus have all been certified for sales of more than one million copies. DreamWorks had reason to celebrate again last month as the label added two more Platinum® albums to their walls for Toby Keith's "Pull My Chain" (his fifth) and the soundtrack to the animated blockbuster "Shrek" which has also sold more than one million copies. During an extensive audit of The Doors' catalog, Elektra Records added an additional 12.5 million units to their already impressive cumulative sales total that now stands at 29.5 million albums. Topping the list was "The Best of the Doors" which jumped to nine million followed closely behind by the CD version of "Greatest Hits." Re-released in 1996 with an additional 11 tracks, this configuration certified Gold®, Platinum® and subsequently double Platinum®. The original LP version of "Greatest Hits" also added another million and is now triple Platinum®. Rounding out the list were "The Doors" which is now certified for sales of more than three million and Platinum awards for "An American Prayer," "Morrison Hotel," "Strange Days," "The Doors Box Set" as well as the soundtrack to the 1991 Oliver Stone directed feature film "The Doors." The soundtrack to "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" was certified triple Platinum® on November 7th, the same day it earned Album of the Year honors at the Country Music Association's 35th Annual CMA awards. "J. Lo," the sophomore effort by Jennifer Lopez earned the superstar her second consecutive triple Platinum® album in less than three years. Her Epic Records debut "On The 6" reached the three million mark last year. Ice Cube earned his first Multi-Platinum™ award as a solo artist as "The Predator," his 1992 release for Priority has been certified for sales of more than two million copies. Previously, his contribution to N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton" had earned him double Platinum® honors. Kid Rock sideman Uncle Kracker also received his first Multi-Platinum™ award as his major label debut for Lava/Atlantic "Double Wide" was certified double Platinum®. Two legendary soul singers were posthumously awarded their first Platinum® albums last month as Otis Redding's "The Very Best of Otis Redding" and Johnnie Taylor's "Eargasm" were certified for sales of more than one million copies. Taylor was also the recipient of the RIAA's first Platinum® single for "Disco Lady" back in April of 1976. Local Washington, DC legend and jazz artist Eva Cassidy, who was tragically taken from us in 1996, received her first Gold® album for "Songbird," the critically acclaimed album which arguably marks the highpoint in her all too brief recording career. Sir Elton John added another Gold® record, his 34th as a solo artist, for the critically acclaimed "Songs From The West Coast." He has received one other Gold album for his collaboration with Tim Rice on their adaptation of Verdi's "Aida." Five artists received their first RIAA Gold® records last month including Fonovisa recording artists Los Angeles de Charly ("La Magia Del Amor") and Priscila y Sus Balas de Plata ("Todo Por Ti"), Columbia's Five For Fighting ("America Town,") Interscope's Bubba Sparxxx ("Dark Days, Bright Nights") and Tantric's self titled release for Maverick Records. The RIAA awarded a total of 21 Multi-Platinum™, 21 Platinum® and 29 Gold® albums in November. All certifications are calculated by Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman. Complete lists of all album, single and video awards for November 2001 are attached and can also be accessed at www.riaa.com #####
The Recording Industry Association of America is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. Its mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members' creative and financial vitality. Its members are the record companies that comprise the most vibrant national music industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect intellectual property rights worldwide and the First Amendment rights of artists; conducts consumer, industry and technical research; and monitors and reviews state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA® also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi-Platinum™, and Diamond sales awards, as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, an award celebrating Latin music sales.
Contact:
Jonathan Lamy
Cara Duckworth
Liz Kennedy
202/775-0101
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