RIAA Platinum Single Award for The Notorious B.I.G. track "Hypnotize". Released on April 4, 1997, it was certified Platinum by the RIAA for one million copies sold on June 11, 1997. Remember The Notorious B.I.G./Biggie Smalls (1972-1997) with this award.
"Hypnotize" was the first single off of from Biggie's album Life After Death, and was an advance single for the album released five days before he was murdered. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1996. The track features a prominent sample of Herb Alpert track "Rise" and uncredited vocals from Pamela Long of the group Total.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Platinum Single award
- In Excellent condition
- Award from 1998
- Presented to recording engineer
- Letter of provenance included
- All original
- Known as a RIAA "serial number hologram" award, they were made from 1998 to present
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21”
- Great and rare collectors item for any Notorious B.I.G. fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Platinum Single award was manufactured in 1998, making it approx. 27 years old. It is presented to Carlton Batts, who engineered the track and numerous other Notorious B.I.G. recordings, along with tracks and albums by Aaliyah, Big Daddy Kane, Eric B. & Rakim, Janet Jackson, and many others. A letter of provenance from the award recipient will be provided with purchase (see image).
This award is in Excellent condition with very, very minor mars on the plexiglass and frame. It is all original with Dejay Products manufacturer stickers.
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Notes on the condition of all vintage RIAA awards like this one: Please do not buy this item if you want a brand new piece of memorabilia. These are historical artifacts from the year they were produced. As a result they may show signs of wear. Frankly, if you see a 20 to 50-year-old award purported to be in 100% perfect condition, it might be too good to be true. After all, an antique should have "good' wear. If not, you might want to question the piece.
As to where they came from, they could have been displayed in record label offices, recording studios, artist manager's offices, radio stations, private collector's homes and yes, of course, possibly the artist's or songwriter's home. Typically, we don't know all the places they may have been over the years other than what we've stated in the description.
Finally, a word on photos: Our photos are zoomable so you can get a very good look. Do let us know if you want photos of any other details on our pieces and we'll be happy to provide.
*RIAA sales data source: RIAA.com