AceShowbiz - Since collaborating with the indie folk band Wilderado, Braden Merrick, partner, president, and A&R at Bright Antenna Records, has witnessed the group’s steady growth. Despite not achieving mainstream chart domination, the band built a devoted fan base, enabling members to leave day jobs and purchase homes. However, until recently, they lacked formal industry acknowledgment for these accomplishments.

That changed in June last year when Wilderado received a certification from the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM). This recognition came through the newly launched Star Certification program, which mirrors the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) sales awards but is tailored for independent artists. Wilderado earned a “One Star” certification, awarded to albums or singles surpassing 50,000 equivalent album units, for their 2021 self-titled debut album.

Merrick explained the significance of this milestone, saying the certification became a valuable talking point when approaching industry gatekeepers. It signaled a level of success that validated the band’s efforts and elevated their status within the music community. “The award basically validated all the work the team had done,” he said. “And the band, it made them go, ‘Whoa, this is a recognition of our hard work.’”

The Star Certification initiative was created by A2IM in partnership with Luminate to address a gap in recognition for independent artists and labels. Traditional RIAA certifications—Gold (500,000 units), Platinum (1 million units), and Diamond (10 million units)—are often out of reach for smaller acts operating on a different scale. A2IM’s program features three tiers: One Star (50,000 units), Two Star (100,000 units), and Three Star (300,000 units), designed to be achievable targets for independent musicians.

Richard James Burgess, who served as A2IM’s CEO until the end of last year and led the Star Certification project from inception, emphasized the importance of setting realistic thresholds. “Those thresholds were designed to be achievable for independents who have racked up impressive sales and streaming numbers on a smaller scale,” he said.

Since its launch, 71 albums and singles have earned Star Certifications. Esteemed indie artists recognized include Cigarettes After Sex (Partisan Records), Thundercat (Brainfeeder), Grizzly Bear (Warp Records), and MUNA (Saddest Factory Records). The process for certification involves artists or labels submitting consumption data via the A2IM website. A2IM then reviews these numbers monthly in partnership with Luminate and issues certifications accordingly.

The application fee is $25 for A2IM members and $150 for non-members. Certified artists and labels may purchase a commemorative plaque for $290, with nearly all proceeds going toward manufacturing the award discs. Burgess notes this helps keep administrative costs low.

Matt Brinkworth, director of global sales at Omnian Music Group—which has received certifications for releases by DIIV, Wild Nothing, and Home Shake—supports the program’s value. “I think what I like most about this initiative is the independent music industry measures success differently than the major labels,” Brinkworth said. “It’s valuable to have a certification that can actually reflect what achievement looks and feels like in our part of the industry.”

Discussions about creating an indie-focused certification began shortly after Burgess joined A2IM a decade ago but gained momentum once Luminate became involved. The organization conducted extensive test runs for about 18 months before formally announcing the Star Certification program.

During development, A2IM consulted with the RIAA to ensure there were no conflicts. Mitch Glazier, RIAA chairman and CEO, expressed support: “Every chance to acknowledge achievements across the music community is something to celebrate, and we’re supportive of A2IM’s Star Certification to recognize the accomplishments of independent artists and their label partners.” He added that such programs highlight how music continues to engage fans in new ways and strengthens cultural connections.

Uniquely, the Star Certifications are not limited by release date, allowing artists from any era to receive recognition if their sales meet the thresholds. For example, Cymande’s 1972 self-titled album, reissued in 2022, earned a One Star certification in July last year. Other legacy recognitions include Beenie Man’s 1997 album Many Moods of Moses (Two Star), Pharoahe Monch’s 1999 single “Simon Says” (Three Star), and The Magnetic Fields’ 1999 album 69 Love Songs (Two Star).

The program also extends to major label artists whose releases surpass the Star Certification benchmarks. Certified acts include T.I., who received a Three Star certification for his 2008 single “Live Your Life” (Atlantic Records); Calle 24, Chino Pacas, and Fuerza Regida for their 2023 single “QUE ONDA” (Warner Records); and Diplo & Morgan Wallen, awarded Three Star for “Heartless” (Columbia Records). Notably, “Heartless” also achieved RIAA Diamond status for exceeding 10 million equivalent album units.

Despite these successes, A2IM acknowledges challenges in encouraging wider adoption of the certification among independent labels. Burgess points out that many indie teams are often overwhelmed with day-to-day operations and may overlook new initiatives like Star Certifications. However, he highlights an additional benefit: the certification process can uncover registration errors, helping artists and labels recover uncollected royalties. “It’s kind of a nice double check,” he explained.

As A2IM continues to promote the Star Certification program, it hopes more indie labels and artists will recognize its value as both a marker of achievement and a tool for business accuracy. By celebrating milestones on a scale appropriate to the independent music community, the initiative aims to foster greater recognition and support for artists outside the major label system.