RIAA Gold Album award for Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt album. The album was released on June 1, 1996 and was certified Gold by the RIAA on Sept. 18, 1996 for 500,000 copies sold.
Released on the Roc-A-Fella Records, the label Jay-Z formed with Damon Dash, the album produced singles including "Ain't No Nigga" and "Can't Knock the Hustle". It rose to #23 on the US Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. The album also includes vocal and rap contributions by Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Foxy Brown and others. Reasonable Doubt was named one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time by The Source, Vibe, MTV.com and many others. By 2002 the album was certified Platinum for one million in sales by the RIAA. See image above for all the RIAA sales certifications of this album.*
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Item Highlights:
- RIAA Gold Album award with gold album, cassette, CD and album miniature
- First presentation award
- In VG condition
- All original award with original manufacturer sticker
- RIAA "R hologram" awards were made from 1990-1997
- Award measures approx. 17" x 21"
- Rare collector's item from Jay-Z's early career
- FREE insured shipping to continental U.S.
- International shipping available
Detailed Item Description: This is a first presentation RIAA Gold award that would have been manufactured in 1996, making it approx. 26 years old. It is presented to Arlene Sangster. It is not known what role she played in the creation or promotion of the record.
It is in VG condition, with only a few minor mars on the frame. This award is all original complete with J.F. Duke Marketing manufacturer's sticker on its back.
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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