RIAA Announces Class Of 2021 First-Time Gold & Platinum Award Recipients
The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) has announced its Gold & Platinum 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.
“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!”
Of the 43 artists recognized, Wheelhouse Records’ Elvie Shane received his first Gold record for his breakout single, “My Boy.”
“Music isn’t just the noise we make,” shared Shane in a statement about the achievement. “It is the people that consume it. This song isn’t just a song. It is a chapter out of my personal journey. A sincerest ‘Thank You’ to my listeners for giving my story a Gold record.”
Big Loud Records / Back Blocks Music and Republic Records artist Lily Rose was awarded her first RIAA plaque this year, with her debut single “Villian” earning Gold status. The achievements add to a triumphant year for Rose, who was just named as part of MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing Class of 2022.
“I’m still taken aback at how much ‘Villain’ has not only changed my life, but also helped a lot of people feel seen and comforted in tough relationships,” Rose tells MusicRow. “It’s pretty much the only reason we do what we do — for people to discover 3 minutes of lyric and music that makes them feel something. I’m extremely proud to do this for a living, and so thankful for the fans for connecting with this record.”
Also representing the Nashville music industry is singer/songwriter/rapper Jelly Roll, who received two Gold records this year for “Creature (feat. Tech N9ne & Krizz Kaliko)” and “Save Me.” In an Instagram post shared in September, Jelly Roll thanked his fans for their support.
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For the full Gold & Platinum Class Of 2021 list, click here.
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