Taylor Swift

The RIAA also awarded the Diamond award to Adele in 2012, whose smash album 21 became the first album in a decade to sell more than 10 million units in less than two years. Taylor Swift earned 2012’s highest album certification with Red, which sold more than three million U.S. copies in just one month to become the RIAA’s top certified album at 3x multi-Platinum. She was also awarded a 3x multi-Platinum certification for "We Are Never Getting Back Together" and Platinums for "Red," "I Knew You Were Trouble," "Begin Again" and "Eyes Open." Taylor’s career digital RIAA song certifications now surpass 37 million sold since her career began in 2006.

Two songs tied for the top single release of 2012 at 6x multi-Platinum: Carly Rae Jepsen’s hit "Call Me Maybe" and "Somebody That I Used to Know." from Gotye, who also earned his first Gold album award in 2012 for Making Mirrors.

Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj and One Direction tied for the second highest song honor of the year: triple-Platinums for "Boyfriend," "Payphone," "Starships" and "What Makes You Beautiful," respectively.”

Among the many acts earning Platinum album awards in 2012 were Justin Bieber for Believe, Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, Babel from Mumford & Sons, One Direction's Up All Night and P!nk with The Truth About Love. The RIAA awarded three new artists their first double-Platinum song certifications in 2012: American Idol season 11 winner Phillip Phillips for "Home." South Korean YouTube sensation PSY for "Gangnam Style" and rapper Tyga for "Rack City."

In addition to Adele's 21, the RIAA also awarded The Smashing Pumpkins' classic 1995 double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness a Diamond certification for selling over 10 million copies in the U.S.

Other catalog albums receiving Gold & Platinum certifications last year included Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band’s 1994 Greatest Hits album reaching 9x multi-Platinum, the late Whitney Houston’s Whitney: The Greatest Hits reaching 5x multi-Platinum and Taylor Swift’s 2010 release Speak Now certifying 4x multi-Platinum.

First-time Gold album accolades were earned by Hunter Hayes for his self-titled release, Kendrick Lamar for Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City, LMFAO's Sorry For Party Rocking and The Civil Wars for Barton Hollow.

Also in 2012, The Black Eyed Peas earned the G&P Program’s highest digital single award in history upon certifying "I Gotta Feeling" as 8x multi-Platinum. Two acts earned 7x multi-Platinum digital song certifications last year: Adele with "Rolling In The Deep" and LMFAO’s club hit "Party Rock Anthem." Adele, LMFAO, and The Peas are the only three acts in G&P history to earn 7x multi-Platinum awards.

A record breaking 139 digital songs certified Platinum in 2012, with 253 Gold single certifications. In 2012 the RIAA awarded a total of 155 album and 524 digital single certifications. Complete lists of all album, single, mastertone and video awards can be accessed at riaa.com.