RIAA Gold LP award for Body Count's self titled debut. The album was released on Mar. 31, 1992 and was certified Gold for 500,000 sold on Aug. 4, 1992.
The heavy metal group formed by rapper Ice-T generated much controversy because of the single "Cop Killer" that appeared on the album's initial release. While he and others defended the track as a commentary on police brutality (it was released in the wake of the Rodney King incident in L.A.) Ice-T and the label eventually pulled it from the album, releasing a new version without the track. In addition to continuing to perform with Body Count, perhaps the irony is that Ice-T has now spent the last 20 years portraying a cop on the TV series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The album peaked at #26 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. Remember late Body Count members D-Roc, Beatmaster V and Mooseman with this award.
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold Album award
- In VG to Excellent condition
- First presentation award from 1992
- Presentation to record label executive
- All original including backing paper with manufacturer's sticker
- Known as a RIAA "R hologram" award, they were made from 1990-1997
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Beautiful collectors item for Body Count or Ice-T fan
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Platinum award made in 1992 making it approximately 30 years old. It is presented to Bob Merlis, who was at the time Senior VP of Worldwide Corporate Communications at Warner Bros.
The award is in VG to Excellent condition with only very minor mars on its frame and plexiglass. It also has its original backing paper with Fitzgerald Hartley manufacturer's sticker.
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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: 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