RIAA

Arts & Entertainment abbreviation · Music

RIAA stands for Recording Industry Association of America, a music abbreviation also used in organizations.

Trade group representing US record labels, best known for certifying gold (500,000 units), platinum (1 million) and diamond (10 million) records and for anti-piracy campaigns.

Example: The album was certified triple platinum by the RIAA last week.

Usage notes

Founded in 1952. Since 2016 its album certifications have counted streams and track sales as album-equivalent units. The RIAA also created the "RIAA equalization curve" used for vinyl playback since the 1950s, and led lawsuits against file-sharing services such as Napster.

Related abbreviations

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• p – Piano (soft)
• PA – Public address system
• pp – Pianissimo
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• SATB – Soprano, alto, tenor, bass
• SESAC – SESAC
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