Viva La Coldplay

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November 24, 2008

Miley, Metallica, Trace Rise Up in Fall

WASHINGTON–The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified Coldplay’s Capitol release Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends 2x Platinum in October, according to its monthly Gold & Platinum tally.  While all four of Coldplay’s studio albums are RIAA certified multi-Platinum, Viva La Vida takes the cake in 08’ for matching Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter, Vol. 3 as the highest-selling album release certified this year.

Two Hollywood Records acts and Disney channel stars –Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers– earned quick Gold and Platinum rank when their respective summer releases Breakout and A Little Bit Longer sold more than one million copies by autumn’s arrival.  Don’t miss the JoBros’ halftime performance at this month’s nationally televised NFL Thanksgiving day game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks.

A first Platinum album certification went to alternative troupe Snow Patrol for their fifth album Eyes Open (A&M) while their 2004 major label debut Final Straw was also certified Gold.  Keep your ‘eyes open’ for the Scottish band’s most recent compilation A Hundred Million Suns released last month.

Additionally, timeless rockers’ Metallica’s ninth career album Death Magnetic on Warner Bros. went both Gold & Platinum within only one month of its release.  The heavy metal group’s career sales now surpass 63.5 million albums since unveiling their first album in 1983.

We honor! Pop-rockster and guitarist Jason Mraz’ Atlantic album We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things reached Gold standing and his chart-topping track  ‘I’m Yours’ earned Mraz his premier Platinum single certification.  

Fans can’t get enough of Mississippi-born Saving Abel’s  ‘Addicted’ on Virgin and won’t keep quiet about indie dance duo The Ting Tings’ ‘Shut Up and Let Me Go’ on Columbia.  Each group celebrated selling more than 500,000 copies of their tunes to earn their very first RIAA-certified Gold digital single award in October.

Double digital single nods went to Capitol artist Katy Perry for two songs on her debut album One of the Boys.  ‘Hot N Cold’ reached Platinum prominence and ‘I Kissed A Girl’ went Gold, Platinum and 2x Platinum to denote more than two million downloads of Perry’s popular kiss and tell tale.

Many-a-mobile phone is ringing Trace Adkins’ mastertone ‘Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,’ which chimed Platinum certification this fall.  The Capitol Nashville star now joins the ranks as one of only five country artists to have a Platinum certified ringtone (others are Carrie Underwood, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and Waylon Jennings).

Jive songstress and 6th season American Idol winner Jordin Sparks earned her first Gold mastertone certification for ‘Tattoo’ off her debut self-titled album.  Additionally, her single featuring Chris Brown ‘No Air’ rang first time Gold & Platinum mastertone certification.  Having only released her first album last November, Sparks is certainly exploding onto the scene, winning her first American Music Award (AMA) this month for ‘Favorite Artist’ in the Adult Contemporary category.  

In August, the RIAA celebrated the 50th anniversary of its historic Gold Record as part of its Gold & Platinum certification program.  On August 11, 1958 Elvis was awarded his first ever RIAA Gold certification for his hit single ‘Hard Headed Woman.’  Several prominent artists from Akon to Judas Priest commented on the golden anniversary of G&P.

In October, the RIAA awarded a total of 20 albums, 11 digital singles and 15 ringtones.  All certifications are calculated by Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman.  Complete lists of all album, single, mastertone and video awards can also be accessed at www.riaa.com.

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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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