In the music industry, record awards have been a barometer of success and a tangible symbol of achievement since they were introduced in the mid-50s. But do they mean much to the artists themselves?
Most artists, even very accomplished ones, express appreciation for awards since they know they are a reflection of their fans buying and enjoying their music. As a result record awards continue to hold powerful meaning. Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum certifications—presented by organizations such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and similar bodies worldwide—remain tangible symbols of commercial achievement. For many music artists, these plaques represent more than sales figures; they mark creative milestones, career breakthroughs, and enduring connections with audiences. Numerous well-known performers have openly expressed how much these recognitions matter to them.
Paul McCartney and Wings bandmate (and wife) Linda celebrate the success of the Band On The Run album in 1975 [Artist's Proof photo by James Fortune]
On The Beatles’ early chart success Paul McCartney recounted the Beatles’ reaction to their first U.S. #1 in a Rolling Stone interview from 1979: “…we said, ‘We’re only going to America if we have a Number One. We’d walk in a bit cocky. We were playing in Paris when the news came through — telegram — ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ was Number One in the States. Wow!’”
Once the Beatles broke up and McCartney formed Wings, he faced skepticism. However, the success of Wings album Band on the Run—which went Multi-Platinum and garnered Grammy recognition including a nomination for Album Of The Year—was particularly meaningful. McCartney has openly discussed the criticism he received after The Beatles broke up and how much the sales success of his Wings albums meant to him. In Barry Miles 1997 book Paul McCartney: Many Years From Now, McCartney relayed that the success of Band on the Run was particularly satisfying because it proved he could achieve major commercial success independently of The Beatles.
The Joshua Tree album became U2's most successful release -- with 10 million in sales in the U.S. alone it firmly established them as a music force
Other more recent rock acts, too, have historically cherished record awards. The members of U2 have often spoken about the pride they felt when The Joshua Tree achieved multi-platinum success worldwide. The album’s certifications affirmed its status as both a commercial and artistic triumph.
Similarly, Metallica celebrated when their self-titled 1991 “Black Album” surpassed 16 million copies sold in the United States alone. The band has acknowledged that while critical acclaim mattered, the album’s massive sales cemented their place in rock history.
Metallica's self-titled "Black Album" produced sales of more than 20 million copies in the U.S. alone, a massive success on any level
For legacy artists, new certifications can be especially meaningful. Fleetwood Mac experienced a resurgence when the song “Dreams” re-entered charts decades after its release due to viral exposure. As streaming numbers surged, certifications were updated, introducing the band’s classic catalog to a younger audience. For veteran performers, such renewed recognition underscores their enduring relevance.
Fleetwood Mac has connected with a new, younger audience as their classic tracks have resurfaced, for example with "Dreams" being featured in a viral TikTok video in late 2020
In the modern music industry, where streaming numbers update by the second and viral moments can eclipse years of steady work, traditional record awards also still remain impactful reminders of success and mean a lot to their recipients.
Taylor Swift, for example, has frequently spoken about the pride she felt when her early albums began achieving multi-platinum status. Her self-titled debut steadily climbed toward Multi-Platinum certification, while albums like Fearless and 1989 went on to achieve massive global sales. Swift has described these milestones as validation—not just of her songwriting, but of the risks she took in evolving her sound. Each certification marked a new chapter, reinforcing her ability to grow while retaining her audience.
Taylor Swift has talked of how the record awards she received for her early albums helped validate her confidence as a songwriter
Similarly, country star Luke Combs has celebrated his Multi-Platinum singles as proof that traditional country themes still resonate widely. Songs such as “Hurricane” and “Beautiful Crazy” achieved major certification levels, and Combs has often credited fans for pushing his releases past Gold and Platinum thresholds. For artists rooted in genres with loyal fanbases, record awards reinforce the strength of that bond.
For some performers, certifications are particularly meaningful because they reflect perseverance. Lizzo, whose breakthrough came after years of independent releases, celebrated when singles like “Truth Hurts” reached Multi-Platinum heights. The song’s success was especially notable because it gained traction years after its initial release, eventually earning Diamond status in the United States. For Lizzo, that achievement symbolized not only commercial success but vindication after years of industry rejection.
Jay-Z certainly has gotten a few multiples of the "platinum plaque" he has rapped about during his mega-successful career
Hip-hop artists have also placed strong value on record awards. Jay-Z has long referenced platinum plaques as benchmarks of excellence, famously proclaiming in lyrics that he wanted “that Platinum plaque.” Throughout his career, nearly all of his studio albums have reached Platinum status or higher. For Jay-Z, certifications became both a point of pride and a competitive measure within the rap world although, as he rapped in "Moment Of Clarity" from The Black Album: "Ain't just rapping for the Platinum..."
Pop superstar Adele has consistently highlighted the importance of album certifications in an era increasingly driven by singles. Her albums 21 and 25 achieved Diamond status in the United States, a rare accomplishment. Adele has spoken about valuing full-album success because it reflects sustained listener engagement. For her, record awards tied to album sales represent a deeper artistic impact than fleeting chart positions.
Adele's 21 album was her first to eclipse the RIAA Diamond Award 10 million sold mark
In country music, Garth Brooks has long valued record awards as measures of his extraordinary fan loyalty. His albums routinely achieved Diamond certification, placing him among the best-selling solo artists in U.S. history. Brooks has often described these awards as belonging to his audience rather than himself, emphasizing the communal effort behind such milestones.
Garth Brooks has the distinction of having earned the all-time most RIAA Diamond Awards -- Diamond Awards recognize albums that have sold over 10 million copies
R&B and soul artists have likewise celebrated certification milestones. Beyoncé has achieved numerous multi-platinum awards both as a solo artist and as a member of Destiny’s Child. She has marked these achievements publicly, understanding that each plaque represents a cultural moment—whether it was the breakout success of Dangerously in Love or the surprise release of her self-titled visual album. Certifications affirm not only sales but influence.
Whether with Destiny's Child or solo, Beyoncé has a ton of Gold and Platinum hardware
For independent artists, record awards can carry an additional layer of meaning. Chance the Rapper made history when his streaming-only project Coloring Book earned Grammy Awards and later certifications based largely on streaming equivalents. His Gold and Platinum recognitions demonstrated that independent distribution could compete with major-label infrastructure. Similarly, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis celebrated the Multi-Platinum success of “Thrift Shop” as proof that an independently released single could dominate globally.
The success of Macklemore & Lewis' "Thrift Shop" was a triumph for indie tenacity
The evolution of streaming has reshaped how record awards are calculated, but it has not diminished their symbolic power. Today’s certifications incorporate digital streams alongside physical and digital sales, reflecting modern listening habits.
With digital downloads and streaming having become the dominant formats for music consumers, the language on awards has changed but ultimately the awards are still celebrating the number of people who have listened to an artist's music.
As essentially all awards issued as of 2026 do, this 2012 award plaque for Gotye (ft. Kimbra) hit "Somebody That I Used To Know" credits 6M digital downloads, as opposed to physical unit sales. By 2021 the track reached 14M digital downloads.
Artists like Bad Bunny and The Weeknd, whose songs accumulate billions of streams worldwide, celebrate multi-platinum and diamond certifications as markers of global ubiquity. The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” one of the most streamed songs in history, achieved multiple certifications across territories, underscoring its worldwide reach.
Inevitably, some artists have certainly been dismissive of record awards and other music industry accolades. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Kurt Cobain, Radiohead, Prince, and others have famously had, at best, a love/hate relationship with awards.
But even artists who project indifference to commercial metrics often acknowledge the satisfaction that certifications bring. Billie Eilish, whose debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? achieved Multi-Platinum status, has balanced critical acclaim with commercial validation. While expressing discomfort with award show sweeps like her 2020 Grammy Awards haul and emphasizing artistic authenticity, she has also recognized the significance of fans purchasing and streaming her work at scale.
Ultimately, while the music industry continues to evolve, record awards remain enduring symbols of accomplishment. For artists across genres Gold and Platinum plaques represent tangible proof of impact. They measure resonance in numbers that translate into lasting recognition.
For many music artists, those plaques hanging on their home or studio walls are not just decorations; they are milestones of connection, perseverance, and cultural imprint. As long as audiences continue to embrace music in meaningful numbers, artists will continue to value the awards that honor that embrace.
As McCartney told Rolling Stone in 1973: “That’s why I go a lot by sales… means a lot of people bought it and liked it.”
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