British trade body BPI will launch a BRIT Billion award in 2023, celebrating artists whose recorded music surpasses 1b U.K. streams. The award expands upon its Platinum, Silver and Gold certifications.
Winners will be verified using Official Charts data. The 1b total will include tracks an artist has appeared on either as the principal performer or featured artist. The first wave of recipients is set to be announced in spring.
BRIT Billion will also mark 50 years of the BPI and the 50th anniversary of the certifications program. It is the first time in its five-decade history that the certifications scheme officially recognizes an artist’s combined success across multiple projects.
"With total weekly audio streams in the U.K. now regularly exceeding the 3b mark, it seems an appropriate moment to recognize exceptional artist achievement through streaming, as the primary currency for recorded music,” said Geoff Taylor, outgoing chief executive of BPI, BRIT Awards & Mercury Prize.
