RIAA Announces Gold and Platinum Ringtone Certifications

Earlier this week in New York City, over 84 artists were awarded Master Ringtone Sales Awards by the Recording Industry Association of America for their accomplishments in the relatively young cell phone ringtone market. The new certifications, which are an extension of the Platinum and Gold awards that artists currently receive for sales of albums and singles, will be awarded based on the number of times a given ringtone is downloaded. Among the recipients on hand Wednesday (June 14) were Bow Wow, who received two Platinum Awards and one Gold, and new Def Jam artist Rick Ross, who won for his hit single "Hustlin’. In all, 128 songs were certified, with other huge names like Kanye West, 50 Cent, and the Black Eyed Peas among the honorees.