RIAA Announces 12 First-Time Digital Award Recipients

Twelve musical acts earned their first Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Digital Single Awards - now counting song sales and on-demand streams - in March, according to the RIAA's newest monthly Gold & Platinum Program count.

Four acts received their first double-Platinum digital song awards: Capitol Records band Capital Cities for "Safe and Sound," Atlantic rapper Lupe Fiasco for "The Show Goes On," Columbia solo singer John Legend for "All Of Me" and Columbia artist Pharrell Williams for "Happy." On the heels of reaching his double-Platinum milestone mid-month, Pharrell ended March by securing triple-Platinum for "Happy."

The RIAA awarded five first Platinum single certifications to Def Jam rapper 2 Chainz for "We Own It (Fast & Furious)," Island Records NYC band American Authors for "Best Day Of My Life," Republic Nashville singer-songwriter and season three The Voice winner Cassadee Pope for "Wasting All These Tears," Empire/Republic Records lyricist Sage The Gemini for "Gas Pedal" and Warner Music Nashville songster Cole Swindell for "Chillin' It."

Three talented solo artists welcomed their first Gold song certifications in March: New Orleans hip-hop artist August Alsina for "I Luv This S**t" (Def Jam/NoonTime), talented Christian musician Britt Nicole for "Gold" (Sparrow) and California-bred country crooner Jon Pardi for "Up All Night" (Capitol Records Nashville).

As spring arrived in March, Sunshine State country duo Florida Georgia Line earned two RIAA Platinum song awards for popular tracks "Round Here" and "Stay" plus a Gold song award for "This Is How We Roll" (Republic Nashville).

Meanwhile Warner Bros. Records R&B artist Jason Derulo achieved his fifth Platinum Digital Single Award for "The Other Side" and Kanye West gained his career 11th for "Monster" (Roc Nation/ Island Def Jam).

Additionally, Demi Lovato took home a Gold award for her new single "Neon Lights" and a Platinum for her song "Here We Go Again" (Hollywood Records, 2009).
In the album arena, P!nk earned March's top award: a double-Platinum for her latest record "The Truth About Love" (RCA Records, 2012). P!nk has netted an impressive seven Platinum (or higher) albums spanning the last 14 years!

The highly successful WOW Christian and gospel music enterprise secured two new Gold albums in March: "WOW Hits 2014" (Sparrow Joint Venture) and "WOW Gospel 2011" (RCA Inspiration).
RIAA awarded six new Latin certifications in March.

Oro awards, marking more than 60,000 albums sold, were earned by Venemusic artist Hector Acosta for "Obligame" (2010) and "Mitad y Mitad" (2008), Siente Music singer-songwriter Cosculluela or "El Principe" (2009) and Venemusic band Tierra Cali for "The Ultimate Collection" (2009).

Also earning high marks, Tito El Bambino's digital song "Por Que Les Mientes" (Siente Music, 2012) certified Oro and Platino for crossing the 120,000 sold threshold!

In March, seven albums and 47 digital singles were awarded. 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. Be sure to follow @RIAA on Twitter and "Like" the group's G&P Facebook page (facebook.com/GoldandPlatinum) to get the latest certification news, artists' award photos and much more!

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 85% 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; conduct consumer industry and technical research; and monitor and review 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.

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