Photo Credit: Uwe Conrad
Taylor Swift and Future top Platinum and Gold tallies for 2022; Latin music and artists continue to dominate the charts.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has announced the 13 albums and 68 singles released and awarded this year in the Gold & Platinum program. Building on an already impressive career with another million-plus first-week launch, Taylor Swift made the Top Album with her 2x Platinum Midnights (Republic Records). Meanwhile, Future earned Top Single with his 3x Platinum “Wait for U” (Epic Records/Freebandz).
The Gold & Platinum awards applaud artists, their record labels, and creative partners, highlighting fan-favorite music as evidenced by their top purchases and streams throughout the year. These songs and albums impact pop culture, cross geographical boundaries, and soundtrack lives.
“Incredible voices and collaborations were celebrated this year with coveted RIAA Gold & Platinum awards, honoring artists’ creative efforts, reflecting fan engagement, and recognizing commercial successes alongside label partners,” says RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier. “Music is a powerful connector, and these milestone achievements acknowledge the dynamic reach of the very best in 2022!”
In 1958, the Gold & Platinum program was created to recognize artists whose songs and albums earned significant US consumption milestones. Amplifying the original initiative as Latin music continues to gain wider popularity, Premios de Oro y Platino was created in 2001 to recognize successful albums and singles that are more than 50% Spanish language.
“2022 already demonstrates how Latin music will be a continuing force to be reckoned with in the United States (and beyond),” said Billboard Español earlier this year, as Latin music has continued to dominate the charts.
Becky G scored the Top Latin Album with 3x multi-Platino ESQUEMAS and Top Latin Single for the 23x multi-Platino collaboration “MAMIII” with Karol G. Impressively, US Latin music grew its share to a record high at 6.6% of total revenue by mid-year — outpacing other US tallies overall.