view

Keith Urban and Brett Eldredge presented with Gold plaques in Toronto

Posted July 13, 2016 by Bram Gonshor

Country superstar Keith Urban’s 2016 album Ripcord has been officially certified Gold in Canada, which the singer announced last Saturday during the second night of shows at Toronto’s Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. Midway through his set, Urban took a moment to announce the news and show his award plaque to his fans, thanking them for their continued support.

“All I can say is the record only came out a little while ago and you all already did this,” said Urban, as seen in a video of the special moment posted to his YouTube account. ”I love you Canada, thank you so much.”

The plaque also represents the certifications of Ripcord singles “Wasted Time,” certified Gold, and “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” certified Platinum.

@KeithUrban Congratulations on Ripcord going GOLD in Canada!!!! pic.twitter.com/VA5BpMae0i

— Sharon (@Official_Shar) July 10, 2016

Brett Eldredge, who’s supporting Urban for the remainder of his summer North American tour, was also presented with a Gold award plaque during the Toronto tour stop. Eldredge was presented with a plaque backstage by Warner Music Canada for the track “Lose My Mind,” which is his first Canadian Gold single since “Don’t Ya,” certified in 2013.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Brett Eldredge, Keith Urban, Universal Music Canada, Warner Music Canada

view

Brett Kissel presented with Gold plaque at epic ‘Hometown Homecoming’ show

Posted June 30, 2016 by Bram Gonshor

On Saturday, June 18, 2016, Canadian country star Brett Kissel returned to his hometown of St. Paul, Alberta, for a special sold out concert at Jaycee Ballpark. Dubbed the Hometown Homecoming, Kissel performed for over 3,000 fans in attendance, and thousands of more listeners across the province through a live broadcast on 840 & 910 CFCW.

‘It’s hard to put into words,” said Kissel of the special evening, “I’m blown away by the excitement and atmosphere. It really was surreal and so, so special to be performing for so many fans, family, friends, and people I grew up with who’ve supported me since the beginning, in my hometown. It was an awesome night.’

During the show, the JUNO Award winning artist was presented with a Gold plaque for his 2013 debut single “Started With A Song,” certified earlier this year. Kissel has previously received a Gold plaque for his single “3-2-1,” and posed with his latest plaque backstage following his monumental performance.

The event also raised over $60,000 for local charities and non-profit organizations, including a $10,000 donation from Kissel and event producers. $5,000 was donated to local cancer-support society Haying In The 30s, and another $5,000 was directed to Fort Murray fire-relief efforts.

The video for “Started With A Song” can be viewed below.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Alberta, Brett Kissel, Country, Gold, Gold/Platinum, Hometown Homecoming, Started With A Song

view

Artists presented with Gold/Platinum awards at 2016 iHeartRadio MMVAs

Posted June 29, 2016 by Bram Gonshor

Earlier this month, some of the biggest Canadian and international names in music gathered by Queen and John St. in Toronto, ON for the 2016 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards. During the festivities, many of the nominees and performers were presented with award plaques commemorating their recent Canadian Gold and Platinum certifications.

Universal Music Canada shared their plaque presentations through Twitter and Instagram, with Universal Music Canada President and CEO Jeffrey Remedios presenting Platinum awards to Hailee Steinfeld for “Love Myself,” Desiigner for “Panda,” and Nelson, BC’s Shawn Hook for “Sound Of Your Heart.”

James Bay was presented with a custom Gold plaque for his 2015 debut album Chaos And The Calm, as well as the Gold single “Hold Back The River.” The English singer/songwriter’s Platinum hit “Let It Go,” which he performed on the broadcast, is also represented on the plaque.

Canadian superstar Shawn Mendes was presented with a custom Platinum plaque for his album Handwritten. The plaque also represents the 2X Platinum certifications for “Life Of The Party” and “Something Big,” the Platinum certification for “Stitches,” and the Gold certification for “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” which won Best Pop and Fan Fave video.

Edmonton, AB singer/songwriter Ruth B, seen below with manager Mark Cunningham, received her first Platinum award plaque from Sony Music Canada for her breakthrough hit “Lost Boy.” The 2016 Fan Fave Vine Musician nominee performed the song during the pre-show broadcast.

Sony Music Canada also presented Fave International and Most Buzzworthy Group winners Fifth Harmony with a Platinum award plaque for “Work From Home.” Later in the evening, group member Dinah Jane Hansen shared a photo with the plaque through Twitter. Fifth Harmony closed out the 2016 iHeartRadio MMVAs with a performance of the Platinum hit.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Desiigner, Fifth Harmony, Gold, Gold/Platinum, Hailee Steinfeld, iHeartRadio, James Bay, MMVA, Platinum, Ruth B, Shawn Hook, Shawn Mendes, Sony Music Canada, Universal Music Canada

view

Twenty One Pilots presented with Platinum award plaques in Toronto

Posted June 15, 2016 by Bram Gonshor

Amidst an extensive world tour that will find them on the road through 2017, alternative hip hop duo Twenty One Pilots were in Toronto, ON last week for a sold-out show at the Molson Canadian Amphitheater. Prior to their performance, the band was presented with custom award plaques by Warner Music Canada signifying the Triple Platinum certification of their single “Stressed Out,” and the Platinum certification of the 2015 album Blurryface. The album also features the Gold single “Tear In My Heart.”

Earlier this Spring, the band toured through Canada beginning with two nights at Montreal, QC’s Metropolis, and wrapping up with two nights at Vancouver, BC’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The band will return to Canada in September for appearances at Edmonton, AB’s Sonic Boom Festival, and Calgary, AB’s X-Fest.

The video for the breakout Triple Platinum track “Stressed Out” can be viewed below.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Blurryface, Canadian Tour, Gold/Platinum, Platinum, Stressed Out, Triple Platinum, Twenty One Pilots, Warner Music Canada

view

Selena Gomez receives Gold award plaque for 2015 album Revival in Toronto

Posted May 27, 2016 by Bram Gonshor

Since early May, American pop sensation Selena Gomez has been touring across North America on the first leg of her 2016 Revival Tour, which included a Canadian stretch beginning in Vancouver, BC, through to Montreal, QC.

During her tour stop in Toronto, ON, Wednesday night, Gomez was surprised with a custom award plaque by Universal Music Canada commemorating the Gold certification of her 2015 album Revival. The plaque also highlights the Platinum certification of her hit “Hands To Myself,” and Double Platinum certifications of “Good For You,” and “Same Old Love.”

Gomez was initially scheduled to play Toronto over the weekend, however an unprecedented playoff run by the Toronto Raptors caused the singer to reschedule her sold-out Air Canada Centre concert. Gomez made light of the situation by sporting a Raptors sweater during her dazzling 20+ song set, which included her multi-Platinum hits and covers of Hillsong United and The Eurythmics.

Gomez will return to Canada later this summer when she headlines Québec City’s Le Festival d’été de Québec July 7, and AtlanticFest 2016, happening September 3 in Paradise, NL, and September 4 in Moncton, NB.

@selenagomez is a Toronto girl. I'm dying. This girl KILLED it. #revivaltour #revivaltourtoronto #selenagomez

A video posted by k|rkpellet|er (@kirkpelletier) on May 25, 2016 at 7:46pm PDT

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Double Platinum, Gold, Gold/Platinum, Platinum, Revival, Selena Gomez, Universal Music Canada

view

Charlie Puth presented with award plaque in Toronto

Posted March 29, 2016 by Bram Gonshor

American singer/songwriter Charlie Puth was in Toronto, ON Monday night for an intimate sold-out concert at The Mod Club as part of his 2016 North American Tour. Prior to the show, Warner Music Canada presented Puth with a custom award plaque for the Gold certification of his track “One Call Away” and Platinum certification of “Marvin Gaye.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDhFCVch40V/

Earlier in the day, Puth met with his Canadian fans for an autograph session at the HMV Underground, located at Toronto’s HMV Superstore (333 Yonge St.).

We felt "Some Type of Love" for @charlieputh today! Thanks for coming out to #thehmvunderground #hmvlive pic.twitter.com/Fk3jlo4fzs

— hmv canada (@hmvcanada) March 28, 2016

Charlie Puth has also been certified Quadruple Platinum in Canada for his collaboration with Wiz Khalifa on the Furious 7 theme song “See You Again.” The video for Charlie Puth’s Platinum single “Marvin Gaye” with Meghan Trainor can be viewed below:

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Charlie Puth, Gold, Gold/Platinum, HMV Underground, Marvin Gaye, One Call Away, Platinum, Warner Music Canada

view

Three Canadian artists included in IFPI’s Top 10 Global Recording Artists 2015 list

Posted February 8, 2016 by Bram Gonshor

International music trade body IFPI has announced their list of 2015’s top global recording artists, and Canadian artists Justin Bieber, Drake, and The Weeknd make up three of the top 10 positions. The multi-Platinum Canadian artists dominated Billboard’s US Hot 100, and charts worldwide, in 2015 with hits like “What Do You Mean?”, “Hotline Bling”, and “I Can’t Feel My Face”. In Canada, Drake’s album If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late and The Weeknd’s Beauty Behind The Madness were certified Platinum, while Justin Bieber’s Purpose was certified Triple Platinum.

UK singer/songwriter Adele was announced as the recipient of 2015’s Global Recording Artist of the Year award, following the success of her chart-topping third album 25. The album’s lead single, “Hello”, was number 1 in more than 30 countries worldwide and has been certified 6X Platinum in Canada since its release. 25 was officially certified Diamond in Canada, selling over 800,000 copies since its November 2015 release.

Adele is the third recipient of the award, which reflects an artist’s worldwide popularity across physical formats, downloads and on-demand streams. Last year’s winner Taylor Swift lands at #3 in 2015, while 2013 winners One Direction move to #5.

The full top 10 list can be viewed below and visit IFPI’s release for more information about the award.

TOP 10 GLOBAL RECORDING ARTISTS 2015

1	Adele
2	Ed Sheeran
3	Taylor Swift
4	Justin Bieber
5	One Direction
6	Coldplay
7	Maroon 5
8	Sam Smith
9	Drake
10	The Weeknd

Categories: Gold/Platinum, Industry News
Tags: Adele, Canadian music, Coldplay, Drake., Ed Sheeran, Global Recording Artist of the Year, IFPI, Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, One Directions, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd

view

Vance Joy presented with Platinum plaque for debut LP

Posted January 28, 2016 by Bram Gonshor

Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy was presented with a Platinum award plaque by Warner Music Canada for his debut album Dream Your Life Away. The presentation happened last night in Toronto before his second sold out show at Toronto’s legendary Massey Hall on The Fire And The Flood tour.

The lengthy North American winter tour has lead to sold-out concerts across Canada in Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Kelowna and back-to-back nights in Vancouver. Vance Joy will play three concerts in Montreal beginning tonight, after which he will continue east across Quebec before arriving in Halifax for two more sold-out dates February 7 & 8. All shows have been supported by Canadian indie rock band Reuben And The Dark.

“Riptide”, the breakout single from the album, has been certified 4X Platinum in Canada, while the single “Mess Is Mine” has been certified Gold.

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Dream Your Life Away, Gold/Platinum, Platinum, Reuben And The Dark, Vance Joy

view

Muse receive Platinum plaques for Drones

Posted January 18, 2016 by Bram Gonshor

Photo credit: Warner Music Canada

UK rock trio Muse were in Toronto over the weekend kicking off a Canadian leg of their world tour in support of their 2015 album Drones. Prior to their Air Canada Centre concert on January 16, the band were presented with Platinum award plaques for Drones by Warner Music Canada. It is the fourth Canadian Platinum album certification for the band, joining 2006’s Black Holes And Revelations, 2009’s The Resistance and 2012’s The 2nd Law.

Muse will play Quebec City tonight, followed by 2 nights at the Bell Centre in Montreal January 20-21. Judging by their Instagram posted below, the band is certainly making the best of the winter months in Canada!

When in Canada, let's go Curling!

A photo posted by MUSE (@muse) on Jan 17, 2016 at 3:14pm PST

The music video for “Dead Inside”, the opening track off Drones, can be viewed below:

Categories: Gold/Platinum
Tags: Air Canada Centre, Bell Centre, centre bell, drones, montreal, muse, Toronto, Warner Music Canada

view

2015 Gold/Platinum Year End Review

Posted December 24, 2015 by Bram Gonshor

2015 was a landmark year for Canadian artists dominating the international pop music spotlight. Within Canada, Canadian artists saw an increase in Gold/Platinum certifications over 2014, with many of the 2015 releases expecting further certification milestones in 2016.

The full list of albums and tracks certified in 2015 in Canada can be viewed here.

70 albums were certified Gold in Canada this year, 30 of which were released by Canadian artists (up from 20 in 2014). 31 albums were certified Platinum, 11 of which were by Canadian artists (up from 9 in 2014).

Justin Bieber had the highest certified Canadian album released in 2015 with his album Purpose earning a Double Platinum certification, as well as it’s accompanying singles “Sorry,” “What Do You Mean?” and “Where Are U Now?”
Canadian tracks released in 2015 also certified Double Platinum include The Weeknd‘s tracks “The Hills” and “Earned It,” as well as Shawn Mendes‘ “Life Of The Party.”

Bruce Cockburn‘s classic 1993 holiday album Christmas is the highest certified Canadian album in 2015, joining Taylor Swift‘s 1989 and Josh Groban‘s Noel as the year’s highest certified albums at 6X Platinum.

117 tracks were certified Gold in Canada this year, with 42 being Canadian artists (up from 21 in 2014). 19 Canadian tracks were among the 76 Platinum certifications, up from 10 in 2014.

The highest certification for a song in 2015 was Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” at 9x Platinum, while OneRepublic‘s “Counting Stars” was the second highest certified track at 8X Platinum. Ellie Goulding “Love Me Like You Do,” X Ambassadors “Renegades” and Wiz Khalifa “See You Again” (ft. Charlie Puth) hold the highest certifications for songs released in 2015 at Triple Platinum.

Some of 2015’s Canadian Gold/Platinum certified artists were presented with awards plaques and a collection of photos of these artists can be viewed below: