Taylor Swift and Alex Warren Top RIAA’s 2025 Music Certification Milestones

The Recording Industry Association of America announced its 2025 certifications. Taylor Swift and Alex Warren claimed the year’s top honors. The awards recognize outstanding sales and streaming achievements.

Swift’s “Life of a Showgirl” album was the top certified album. Warren’s single “Ordinary” was the top certified song. The data reflects the evolving landscape of music consumption.

Breaking Down the Year’s Biggest Certified Hits

Swift’s album earned a rare five-million unit certification. This is the RIAA’s highest possible award. According to Variety, it solidifies her consistent commercial dominance.

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” achieved triple-platinum status. This means it moved over three million equivalent units. The RIAA counts both pure sales and on-demand streams.

Other artists also scored major certifications. EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami earned a double-platinum and two platinum awards. Their work features on the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack.

Cardi B‘s album “Am I the Drama?” went multi-platinum. Several other albums reached platinum status. This includes work from Drake, Lady Gaga, and Sabrina Carpenter.

What RIAA Recognition Means for the Music Industry

These certifications are a key industry health indicator. They show which artists resonate powerfully with the American public. The awards blend traditional sales with modern streaming numbers.

RIAA Chairman Mitch Glazier praised the artists. He said the music defined the year with remarkable milestones. The association wraps 2025 with excitement for music’s impact.

The list highlights diverse genres and artists. It spans pop, hip-hop, and K-pop influenced sounds. This diversity points to a vibrant and fragmented music market.

For the artists, certification boosts credibility and legacy. It provides a tangible measure of a project’s success. It also influences future contract negotiations and tour planning.

The 2025 RIAA certifications confirm Taylor Swift’s enduring market strength and spotlight Alex Warren’s breakthrough. These milestones offer a clear snapshot of the sounds that dominated the past year in music.

Thought you’d like to know

What is an RIAA certification?

It is an award from the Recording Industry Association of America. It verifies specific sales and streaming milestones for songs and albums. Certifications include Gold, Platinum, and Multi-Platinum levels.

How does a song go platinum?

A song must reach one million equivalent units. The RIAA counts permanent downloads and on-demand audio and video streams. Streams are converted using a specific formula.

Who had the top album in 2025?

Taylor Swift’s “Life of a Showgirl” was the top certified album. It earned a five-million unit award. This is the highest certification issued by the RIAA.

What was the top certified single?

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” was the top single of 2025. It achieved three-time platinum status. This means it surpassed three million equivalent units.

Which other artists were certified?

Many artists received certifications. The list includes Cardi B, Drake, Lady Gaga, and Sabrina Carpenter. Artists from the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack also earned awards.

Why are these certifications important?

They are a trusted benchmark for commercial success. They help measure an artist’s cultural impact. The awards also document the music industry’s financial health.