February 2003 - Platinum Europe Awards

March 6, 2003

February's Platinum Europe Awards see a clutch of six newcomers join six previously honoured albums achieving a new level of sales, to total 12 awards.

February's Brit Awards in the UK appears to have spurred sales of some of the awarded or performing artists including Justin Timberlake, Kylie Minogue, Norah Jones, Pink, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Robbie Williams and Sugababes - who all receive Platinum Awards this month.

Craig David, nominated for two Brit awards may have left without one but his second album still gets the popular vote across Europe. The album's mix of smooth R&B and dance beats should also prove a winning combination in the genre's US homeland.

Jeff Buckley, son of renowned singer/songwriter Tim Buckley, receives a posthumous Platinum Europe award for debut album Grace. The album features seven original songs and three covers including Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah and Benjamin Britten's Corpus Christi Carol. Jeff Buckley's emotive and electrifying live performances - some of which survive on record - are part of a legacy that also includes guest slots on albums by artists such as Patti Smith, John Zorn and Jazz Passengers.

Justin Timberlake's Brits performance, and his duet with Kylie, was one of the highlights of the Brits event. Justified, the debut album from the former N'Sync member takes him firmly into major star territory. The album's hit singles include Cry Me A River and the N.E.R.D-produced Like I Love You.

The original soundtrack to Disney movie Coyote Ugly has reached the one million sales mark in Europe. Tracks include four new songs written by Diane Warren and produced by Trevor Horn for LeeAnn Rimes, along with previously released tracks by artists including Snap, INXS and EMF.

Star Academy 2 achieves a second Platinum Europe award in two months, following January's award for Chante Les Annees 80. With Chante Michel Berger the group interpret the sophisticated repertoire of Berger including Si Mama Si and Musique.

Sugababes, winner of Brit award for British Dance Act sees Angels With Dirty Faces achieve the first-ever Platinum Europe Award for the threesome.

John Lennon the legend lives on. Lennon Legend has achieved double Platinum. The 1997 'best of' features classic songs such as Imagine, Give Peace A Chance, Starting Over (Just Like), Woman and more. Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band also feature.

Norah Jones, winner of eight American Grammy awards in February as well as a Brit for International Breakthrough Artist, sees a Platinum Europe double award for the singer's astonishing and ubiquitous debut Come Away With Me.

Kylie Mingogue's Fever is still hot, topping three million sales across Europe. Tracks include chart dynamite Can't Get You Out of My Head, and indeed it appears we can't.

Pink, performer at the Brits and winner of International Female Solo Artist achieves a third Platinum award for M!ssundaztood following its double PE award last month. Tracks include Misery, a collaboration with Aerosmith's Steve Tyler.

Red Hot Chili Peppers' By The Way hits the three million mark for European sales. The Chilis won awards for Best International Group at the Brits and Best International Group at the Echo awards in Germany in the same week in February.

Robbie Williams Escapology reaches the four million mark, achieving on the way four national gold awards and platinum or multi-platinum in another 13 countries across Europe. This latest award brings his cumulative PE tally to 15 awards for five albums.

For further information contact
Nisha Gohil, IFPI Communications Department
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 7900