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Top 10 Artist Certifications

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Updated 14 min read

Certifications are important for an artist in the job market because they provide evidence of the artist's qualifications, skills, and knowledge. Certifications can give employers assurance that the artist is qualified to do the job, which can help them stand out among other applicants. They also demonstrate a commitment to professional development, as well as a willingness to invest in their own career. Finally, certifications can open up opportunities for an artist to access higher-level jobs or projects that may not have been available without them.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications available for Artists and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Artist Certifications?

Artist certification is a process that helps to ensure the legitimacy of an artist's career. It can be used to verify an artist’s identity, confirm the authenticity of their music, and provide a record of their accomplishments. This type of certification is important for artists who want to gain recognition in the music industry, as it serves as proof that they are legitimate artists. Artist certification can also help protect an artist’s intellectual property by providing evidence that they are the rightful owners of their work. Additionally, it can help to prevent unauthorized use of an artist’s songs or images. Finally, certified artists may benefit from increased visibility on streaming services and other platforms, as many labels and distributors prefer working with certified artists when signing new talent.

Pro Tip: When looking for artist certification, focus on organizations and programs that are reputable and have a track record of success. Make sure to do your research on the organization, read reviews from past participants, and inquire about the certification process to ensure it meets your needs.

Related: What does an Artist do?

Top 10 Artist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Artists today.

1. Taylor Swift - 130 million

Taylor Swift is a singer-songwriter who has sold over 130 million albums and singles worldwide. She has achieved this by releasing five studio albums, two live albums, four EPs, and sixty-five singles.

It has taken Taylor Swift over a decade to reach the milestone of selling 130 million albums and singles. She released her debut album in 2006 and since then she has continued to release music regularly.

Getting Taylor Swift’s music can be done through various digital platforms such as iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, Google Play Music, Apple Music and more. It can also be purchased from physical stores such as Target or Walmart.

The cost of purchasing Taylor Swift’s music varies depending on the platform you use. Generally speaking, an album costs around $10-$15 while individual songs cost around $1-$2 each.

2. Madonna - 300 million

Madonna is the highest grossing female artist of all time, having earned over 300 million dollars in record sales. This number was achieved over the course of her career, which began in 1982 and continues to this day. To get to this level of success, Madonna has released 14 studio albums, sold out numerous world tours, and starred in several feature films.

It takes years of hard work and dedication to reach such a high level of success as Madonna has. It requires an immense amount of creativity and marketing savvy to stay relevant in today's music industry. Additionally, it can be expensive to produce albums and tour extensively; however, the rewards can be great if done correctly.

To get to 300 million dollars in sales like Madonna has achieved, one would need to have a successful music career that spans decades. They would need to create quality music that resonates with fans, tour extensively throughout their career, and market themselves effectively on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. Additionally, they would need to invest money into their career by producing albums and booking shows. The cost will vary depending on the artist's budget but could range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per project or tour.

3. Rihanna - 210 million

Rihanna - 210 million is a reference to the total number of records sold worldwide by the singer and songwriter, Rihanna. This includes albums, singles, music videos, and digital downloads. It is estimated that she has sold over 210 million records since her debut in 2005.

This figure does not take into account any time frame or cost associated with achieving this number. It simply reflects the overall success of Rihanna's career thus far. To reach this level of success, Rihanna has released eight studio albums, four compilation albums, two remix albums, and numerous singles and music videos. She has also toured extensively around the world and collaborated with many other artists on various projects.

The cost associated with achieving this level of success varies greatly depending on the project. For example, recording an album can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on production costs, marketing costs, etc. Touring also requires significant investment in order to cover travel expenses, venue rental fees, merchandise sales costs etc.

In conclusion, it takes a great deal of time and money to achieve such success as Rihanna has achieved so far in her career.

4. The Beatles - 600 million

The Beatles 600 million is a reference to the estimated total amount of money that The Beatles have earned since their formation in 1960. This includes record sales, royalties from songwriting, merchandise sales, and other revenue streams. It is estimated that it would take an individual over 200 years to earn this amount of money if they were earning a salary of $100,000 per year.

To get the 600 million dollars, one would need to invest in The Beatles’ music catalog and other related intellectual property rights. This could include buying shares in companies that own the rights to the band’s songs or investing in companies that license their music for use in films, television shows, and other media. It could also involve investing in businesses related to The Beatles such as concert venues or merchandise stores.

The cost of investing in The Beatles’ catalog varies depending on the type of investment and how much one is willing to pay for it. Generally speaking, investments into the catalog can range from hundreds to millions of dollars depending on the size and scope of the investment.

5. Elvis Presley - 600 million

Elvis Presley is an iconic American singer, songwriter, and actor who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. He has sold over 600 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

To get 600 million records sold, it would take a long time for any artist to achieve this level of success. It requires hard work and dedication to build a fan base that will support your music enough to make it popular around the world. Additionally, it requires a lot of promotion and marketing efforts in order to reach new audiences and keep existing fans engaged.

Getting 600 million records sold does not cost anything directly; however, there are costs associated with promoting and marketing the music. This could include radio airplay fees, advertising costs, promotional materials such as posters or flyers, etc. The costs vary depending on the artist's budget and how much they are willing to invest in their career.

In conclusion, getting 600 million records sold takes a lot of hard work and dedication from an artist as well as a significant amount of money invested in promotion and marketing efforts.

6. Mariah Carey - 200 million

Mariah Carey is a multi-platinum selling singer, songwriter, producer and actress. She has sold over 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

The 200 million figure refers to the total number of albums, singles and other recordings that Mariah Carey has sold over the course of her career. This includes physical copies as well as digital downloads and streams. It does not include any merchandise sales or other revenue sources such as touring or endorsements.

It takes many years for an artist to reach this level of success. Mariah Carey has been in the music business since 1988 and has released 18 studio albums, 4 live albums and 65 singles.

Getting to 200 million in sales requires hard work, dedication, talent and luck. It also requires a lot of marketing and promotion from record labels, radio stations and other outlets.

The cost of reaching this milestone varies depending on the artist's budget for recording, promotion and touring costs. For Mariah Carey it is likely that she has invested millions into her career in order to reach this level of success.

7. Michael Jackson - 350 million

Michael Jackson is a record-breaking music artist who has sold over 350 million albums and singles worldwide. This figure includes sales of his solo albums, as well as his work with the Jackson 5 and The Jacksons.

It takes an incredible amount of hard work and dedication to reach such a milestone. Michael Jackson achieved this feat by releasing numerous chart-topping singles, including “Thriller”, “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, and “Man in the Mirror”. He also released several critically acclaimed studio albums such as Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987) and HIStory (1995).

To get Michael Jackson's music, you can purchase it from online retailers like iTunes or Amazon Music. Physical copies are also available at most major music stores. The cost of each album or single varies depending on where you purchase it from. Generally speaking, individual songs range from $0.99 to $1.29 while full-length albums cost around $9.99 to $14.99.

8. Whitney Houston - 200 million

Whitney Houston is an incredible accomplishment of selling over 200 million records worldwide. This includes albums, singles, and videos. It has taken her over 30 years to reach this milestone, starting with her debut self-titled album in 1985. To get to this level of success, she had to work hard and consistently release hit songs and albums that resonated with fans around the world. She also had to tour extensively in order to promote her music and build a fan base.

It does not cost anything to achieve this feat - it simply requires dedication, hard work, and talent. However, it does take a significant amount of time and effort to reach the level of success that Whitney Houston has achieved with her music career.

9. Elton John - 300 million

Elton John - 300 million is an achievement that was added to the Xbox 360 version of the game Rock Band 2. It is a cumulative score that must be reached by playing through all of the songs in the game. The score does not need to be obtained in one sitting, so it can take as long as you want to get it.

To get this achievement, you must play through every song in Rock Band 2 on any difficulty level and accumulate 300 million points. You will gain points for each note you hit correctly, and bonus points for completing certain sections or songs without mistakes. The more notes you hit correctly and the higher difficulty level you play on, the more points you will earn.

There is no cost associated with getting this achievement; however, if you don't already own Rock Band 2, then you will need to purchase it in order to get the achievement.

10. Celine Dion - 200 million

Celine Dion is a Canadian singer-songwriter who has sold over 200 million albums worldwide. She is one of the best-selling artists of all time and has achieved numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and 20 Juno Awards.

It takes many years to reach this level of success and it requires hard work and dedication. Celine Dion has been in the music industry for over 30 years, releasing hit after hit and selling out stadiums around the world. To achieve this level of success an artist must have a strong fan base, be able to create great music that resonates with listeners, and be willing to put in the time and effort necessary to promote their work.

There is no cost associated with achieving 200 million album sales as it is based on how many albums are sold. However, there are costs associated with promoting an artist’s work such as marketing campaigns, radio play, touring expenses, etc. which can add up quickly.

Do You Really Need a Artist Certificate?

An artist certificate is a document that verifies the authenticity of an artwork. It can also provide information about the artist, such as their contact information, and any awards or recognition they have received. The certificate can also serve to increase the value of the artwork by adding a level of assurance that it was created by a legitimate artist.

Whether you need an artist certificate or not depends on what you plan to do with the artwork. If you are planning to resell or donate it, then having an artist certificate will be beneficial. It can help to demonstrate that the work is genuine and will add value to it when selling or donating. Having an artist certificate may also make it easier for potential buyers to confirm your claims about the artwork’s authenticity.

In some cases, if you are simply displaying the artwork in your home, an artist certificate may not be necessary. However, if you are framing the artwork and intend to hang it in a gallery or other public space, then having a valid certification from an accredited organization may be necessary in order to prove its authenticity and quality.

Overall, whether you need an artist certificate or not depends on your specific situation and what you plan to do with the artwork. In some cases, having one can be beneficial for increasing its value and proving its authenticity; however, in other situations it may not be necessary. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if obtaining an artist certificate is worth your time and money based on how you plan to use the artwork.

Related: Artist Resume Examples

FAQs About Artist Certifications

1. What is an Artist Certification?

Answer: An Artist Certification is a recognition program that formally acknowledges an artist's professional accomplishments in the music industry. It is awarded by music industry organizations or recognized bodies such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) or Music Canada.

2. How do I get certified as an artist?

Answer: To become certified as an artist, you must meet certain criteria established by the certifying organization. This can include recording and selling a certain amount of records, streams, or downloads, as well as receiving a certain level of radio airplay.

3. Are there different levels of certification?

Answer: Yes, different certifying organizations may have different levels of certification for artists based on their sales or streaming numbers. For example, the RIAA awards gold and platinum certifications for albums and singles based on their sales numbers in the US.

4. What are some benefits of becoming certified?

Answer: Becoming certified can provide artists with increased visibility, credibility, and recognition within the music industry. Additionally, it can open up opportunities for more lucrative deals and collaborations with other artists and labels.

5. Does certification expire?

Answer: Generally speaking, certifications do not expire; however, they may be revoked if an artist fails to meet certain criteria established by the certifying organization or if they are found to be in violation of any applicable laws or regulations related to copyright infringement or other legal matters.

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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