RIAA Platinum Single Award for LL Cool J track "Around The Way Girl". This track was released on Oct. 31, 1990 and was certified Gold on Jan. 15, 1991. This is, however, a Platinum award. LL Cool J awards are hard to find.

The track reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was LL Cool J's first top 10 track. It also did well on the R&B and dance music charts at #5 and #7, respectively. It was also #1 on the Hot Rap Singles tally.

Item Highlights:

• RIAA Platinum Single award
• In VG to Excellent condition
• First presentation award from 1991
• Presentation to music industry executive
• All original with manufacturers sticker
  
• Letter of provenance included
• Known as a "RIAA bar hologram" award with serial number, they were made from 1998 to present
• Award measures 17" x 21"
• Great collectors item for any LL Cool J fan

Detailed Item Description: This RIAA Platinum award is a first presentation award that would have been manufactured in 1991 making this award 31 years old. While the RIAA records show the single only went Gold, that could be an error on the RIAA website. The album on which the track appeared, Mama Said Knock You Out, went 2x Multi-Platinum and considering this was owned by a label exec, the award is no doubt authentic. The award is presented to Jerry Blair, a record executive who held roles at CBS, Chrysalis, and Columbia Records. Blair played a key role in the success of artists including LL Cool J, Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Tony Bennett, Mariah Carey, Ricky Martin, George Michael, Will Smith and many others. The award is accompanied by a letter of provenance from Blair's son, who later took possession of his father's awards and memorabilia (see image of letter, son's name is redacted on image, buyer will receive unredacted copy).This award is all original with Ill Eagle manufacturer's sticker. The award is in VG to Excellent condition with only minor wear on the frame and a few mars on the plexiglass.

Notes on the condition of all vintage RIAA awards like this one: Please do not buy this item if you want a brand new piece of memorabilia. These are historical artifacts from the year they were produced. As a result they may show signs of wear. Frankly, if you see a 20 to 50-year-old award purported to be in 100% perfect condition, it might be too good to be true. After all, an antique should have "good' wear. If not, you might want to question the piece.

As to where they came from, they could have been displayed in record label offices, recording studios, artist manager's offices, radio stations, private collector's homes and yes, of course, possibly the artist's or songwriter's home. Typically, we don't know all the places they may have been over the years other than what we've stated in the description.