Metallica’s eighth studio album, “St. Anger,” has been certified multiplatinum for U.S. shipments in excess of 2 million copies in a little over a month of release, according to the Recording Industry Assn. of America’s July numbers.
Hip-hop innovator Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott earned her first multiplatinum album with “Under Construction.”
Fleetwood Mac earned its 14th gold record (U.S. shipments in excess of 500,000 units) in July for “Say You Will.” The classic rock group’s overall U.S. album sales have surpassed the 50 million mark.
R&B icon Luther Vandross’ “Dance With My Father” was certified platinum for sales of more than 1 million copies.
Madonna’s “American Life” also crossed the 1 million mark. The Material Girl is second only to Barbra Streisand as a female artist with certified album sales of more than 60 million copies.
Alternative act Radiohead earned its sixth gold record for “Hail to the Thief.”
Additionally, two soundtracks went gold in July: “Matrix Reloaded: The Album” and “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.”
The second “American Idol” winner, Ruben Studdard, earned his first gold single for “Flying Without Wings,” while runner-up Clay Aiken’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” was certified gold and platinum.
The RIAA awarded a total of three multiplatinum, nine platinum and 19 gold albums in July.