NMPA Honors Russ for 26 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum Songwriting Certifications

Russ, the songwriter behind the eight-times-platinum hit “Losin Control,” was recognized on Thursday, May 14, at the Music Biz conference in Atlanta for a catalog that has now reached 26 RIAA-certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum songs. The National Music Publishers’ Association presented him with its Gold & Platinum Recognition plaque, a nod not just to one breakout single but to a body of work that has stayed in circulation long after the usual industry spotlight has moved on.

That distinction matters because the NMPA program is built to measure songwriting, not just star power. In a statement, NMPA president and CEO David Israelite framed Russ as exactly the kind of writer the program was designed to acknowledge: someone whose songs have maintained a durable connection with listeners. He pointed to the certifications behind “Best on Earth,” “What They Want” and “Losin Control,” calling Russ’s catalog proof of “years of consistency, vision, and dedication to his craft.”

On paper, the numbers are blunt. Russ’s catalog includes 12 gold records, eight platinum records, three double-platinum records, a triple-platinum certification for “Best on Earth,” a five-times platinum certification for “What They Want” and the 8x Platinum “Losin Control.” The plaque was handed over after a fireside chat between Israelite and Sound Royalties founder and CEO Alex Heche, keeping the ceremony rooted in the business side of songwriting rather than the spectacle of a standard awards moment.

Luminate data helps explain the scale of his reach. According to the company, Russ has tallied 8.2 million album consumption units and nearly 11 billion U.S. streams, while his global streams total 24 billion. Those figures place him in a rare lane: an artist whose catalog has remained commercially active across formats and markets without depending on any single moment to sustain it.

The recognition also lands at a point when Russ’s career footprint extends well beyond music. He has also worked as a record producer, entrepreneur, author and actor, and is slated to appear in the upcoming feature film Don’t Move. That breadth was part of the framing from former Tunecore CEO Andreea Gleeson, now of Andreea Gleeson Advisory, who has worked with Russ and said his career reflects “artistry, discipline, and long term vision.” In her statement, she emphasized that what sets him apart is not just his success as an artist, but his approach to songwriting, storytelling, live experiences and fan connection.

Omar Grant, Sony Music Publishing’s senior director of creative, echoed that sentiment, saying the company was proud to celebrate a songwriter whose catalog continues to resonate “across generations.” The timing of the honor also carried its own symbolism. Music Business Association president Portia Sabin noted that Atlanta has had an enormous influence on global music and culture, and said it felt fitting to recognize one of the city’s most impactful artists there during this year’s conference. For Russ, the plaque served as a career marker, but also as a reminder that songwriting remains the industry’s most durable currency when the hits keep collecting certifications long after release.

L-R: NMPA president and CEO David Israelite; Music executive and consultant Andreea Gleeson; songwriter Russ; Sony Music Publishing senior director of creative Omar Grant

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