New RIAA System Gives Kendrick Lamar And Big Sean Platinum Albums

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has updated their certification rubrics to include "on-demand song and video streams."

They announced the change today in a press release:

"For nearly six decades, whether it’s vinyl, CDs, downloads or now streams, the Gold & Platinum Program has adapted to recognize the benchmarks of success in an evolving music marketplace," said Cary Sherman, Chairman and CEO, RIAA. "We know that music listening – for both for albums and songs – is skyrocketing, yet that trend has not been reflected in our album certifications. 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 of artists’ albums today."

Here is the updated digital formula: * 1,500 on-demand audio and/or video song streams = 10 track sales = 1 album sale. * 150 on-demand streams = 1 download

17 artists were given new gold or platinum certifications because of the change. They include Kendrick Lamar, Platinum for To Pimp A Butterfly, Big Sean, Platinum for Dark Sky Paradise, and Wale, Gold for The Album About Nothing.

Despite the good news for his most prominent artist, TDE boss Anthony Tiffith was the biggest critic of the move, calling it "BS."

we don't stand behind this @RIAA bs. ole skool rules apply, 1 million albums sold is platinum.until we reach that #, save all the congrats.
— dangeroo kipawaa TDE (@dangerookipawaa) February 1, 2016