Washington, DC - In a year when America's musical tastes can easily be described as eclectic, Jive Records maintained their firm grip on the music industry with their Triple Crown of teen pop acts, 'N Sync, Britney Spears and The Backstreet Boys.

2000 Year-End Highlights

'N Sync's "No Strings Attached," the band's first album under Jive Records, earned them their second consecutive RIAA Diamond® award for sales in excess of 10 million copies less than nine months after being released, easily making it the best selling record of the year. Their self-titled debut reached the 10 million sales plateau in January. Following closely behind was label-mate Britney Spears whose sophomore effort for Jive, "Oops…I Did It Again," was certified for sales of eight million copies this year while her debut, "…Baby One More Time" moved another three million units and is currently certified at 13 times Platinum®.

Following a huge marketing campaign and subsequent debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, The Backstreet Boys earned additional honors as their third album, "Black & Blue" simultaneously certified Gold®, Platinum® and eight times Multi-Platinum™ making it the highest debut certification of the year. Their self-titled debut as well as their second release, "Millennium" were each certified for an additional million copies bringing their total to 10 million units for 2000.

All told, 'N Sync, Britney Spears and The Backstreet Boys combined for a staggering 31 million albums in 2000. After factoring in new albums by R. Kelly, Mystikal and Aaron Carter among others, Jive accounted for nearly 40 million albums sold this year.

"What else can you say about the success of Jive? 40 million records in a single year for an independent label is astounding and is a testament to both their marketing savvy and true understanding of their audience," said RIAA president and CEO Hilary Rosen.

More than 30 years after their breakup, The Beatles continue to make headlines. Their latest release, the single disc greatest hits collection "1" was certified for sales of five million copies in December. Combined with the eight catalog titles Capitol Records upgraded this year, the Beatles were certified for more than 18 million in sales making them the highest certified artist of 2000. They continue to retain their firm grip as the best selling artist of all time with more than 156 million units domestically.

Santana's "Supernatural" sold more than eight million copies in 2000, making it the second best selling album of the year and the best selling album by an artist of Latin heritage. It is currently certified 13 times Platinum®, earning the rock legend not only his first RIAA Diamond® award but also his first two certified singles for "Smooth" and "Maria, Maria" which are both Platinum®.

Controversial rapper Eminem earned the distinction of having the third highest certified album of the year as well as the year's best selling hip-hop record as "The Marshall Mathers LP" was certified seven times Platinum®. His mentor and former N.W.A. member Dr. Dre provided the year's second highest certified hip-hop record as his "Dr. Dre 2001" was certified for sales of six million copies doubling the success of his 1992 solo debut, "The Chronic."

Following closely behind was Creed's "Human Clay" which moved an additional six million units this year and is currently certified for sales of eight million copies. Their 1997 debut "My Own Prison" added another million in sales and is currently five times Platinum™.

Many new faces emerged this year and one of the most successful was St. Louis' own Nelly who earned Gold®, Platinum® and five times Multi-Platinum™ honors for his Universal Records release "Country Grammar."

R&B superstars Destiny's Child captured an additional five million in sales for their second album for Columbia Records "The Writing's On The Wall" which now stands at six times Platinum®. Their contribution to the Charlie's Angels soundtrack helped push it to Platinum® status in November.

Two of country music's hottest artists tied for the honor of having the best selling country album of the year. Faith Hill's "Breathe" certified for sales of five million copies and earned Faith her second Gold® single for the title track while the Dixie Chicks' second album for Monument Records, "Fly," added another five million and is now certified at eight times Platinum®. In addition, their first album, "Wide Open Spaces," reached the 10 million sales level this year earning the trio their first Diamond® award. They also received their first Gold® single for "Goodbye Earl."

In January, the RIAA announced a new award program developed to honor top-selling Spanish language recordings. With the launch of "Los Premios De Oro y Platino™," recordings that are comprised of a minimum of 51% Spanish language content and/or repertoire and meet the other necessary criteria will be honored with a Disco de Oro® (100,000), Disco de Platino (200,000) or Disco de Multi-Platino™ (400,000+). In its first year, the RIAA awarded a total of 106 discos de oro, 59 discos de platino, and 18 discos de multi-platino in 2000.

The Eagles' "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975" lost and regained the honor of being the best selling record of all time edging Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in November. The greatest hits collection is currently certified for sales of 27 million.

In May, Garth Brooks achieved music immortality when his "Double Live" album was certified for sales of 13 million copies making him not only the first solo artist to sell 100 million albums but the top-selling artist of the 90's and the fastest selling artist in music history.

In total, the RIAA certified 340 Gold®, 179 Platinum® and 255 Multi-Platinum™ albums in 2000. A complete list of certifications for 2000 can be accessed at www.riaa.com.

December Highlights

Shania Twain received two gifts before the holidays as her "The Woman In Me" was certified for sales of 12 million copies while "Come On Over" reached 18 million, lengthening its lead the best selling country album of all time. It also now stands as the best selling album by a solo female artist, having surpassed the soundtrack to "The Bodyguard" by Whitney Houston.

While touring under "The Anger Management Tour" banner, Limp Bizkit, DMX and Godsmack enjoyed Platinum® and Multi-Platinum™ honors this month. Limp Bizkit's third release for Interscope, "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water" was certified Gold®, Platinum® and four times Multi-Platinum™ while DMX earned another million each for "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood" (three million) and "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" (four million). Hard rockers Godsmack earned their second consecutive Platinum® album for "Awake." Their self-titled debut is currently certified triple Platinum®.

Two highly anticipated releases by Ricky Martin and Sade were certified this month as well. Martin's "Sound Loaded," the follow up to his self-titled breakthrough album, and Sade's "Lover's Rock" are both double Platinum® just one month after being released.

Tim McGraw earned his fifth consecutive Gold® and Platinum® award for his "Greatest Hits" release on Curb Records. This brings his cumulative album sales to 15 million, tying him with his wife Faith Hill.

Charlotte Church earned her third consecutive Platinum® album for her collection of Christmas music, "Dream A Dream."

Several artists earned their first Platinum® awards this month including Aaron Carter ("Aaron's Party (Come Get It)"), Three 6 Mafia ("When The Smoke Clears Sixty 6, Sixty 1"), Lil' Bow Wow ("Beware of Dog") and Carl Thomas ("Emotional"). Rapper Ludacris earned both Gold® and Platinum® honors for "Back For The First Time."

Welsh singer-songwriter David Gray earned his first Gold® album for "White Ladder," his first for Dave Matthews' ATO Records.

Three other artists received their first Gold® awards in December as well. Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory," Prodigy of Mobb Deep's "H.N.I.C." and Sparkle's self-titled release were all certified for sales in excess of 500,000 copies.

The RIAA awarded a total of 25 Multi-Platinum™, 27 Platinum® and 36 Gold® albums in December. All certifications are calculated by Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman. Complete lists of all album and single awards for December 2000 are attached and can also be accessed at www.riaa.com