Shaggy album 'Hotshot' is year's bestseller

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Reggae artist Shaggy's "Hotshot" album was the hottest-selling record in 2001, totaling 5.5 million units sold since January, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said Thursday.

Certified six times Platinum for sales of one million units, Shaggy was among three very diverse artists jockeying for best-selling record of the year.
"Hotshot" was followed closely behind by Irish new age artist Enya's "A Day Without Rain" and 'N Sync's "Celebrity," which each sold five million copies this year, tying them for second.

Shaggy's album, released in late 2000, had sold about 500,000 copies prior to January 2001, the RIAA said. The trade group said 2001 was also noteworthy as the year when new artists achieved superstar status, such as R&B chanteuse Alicia Keys, whose debut "Songs In A Minor" sold an impressive four million copies. The metal quintet Linkin Park also enjoyed success with their debut album, "Hybrid Theory," which now stands at five times Platinum.

The RIAA said it also added six more albums to its list of recordings certified Diamond for sales in excess of 10 million copies, including Led Zeppelin's self-titled boxed set. This was Zeppelin's fifth Diamond award, tying the band with The Beatles as the artist with the most Diamond awards.

The Eagles earned their second RIAA Diamond award for "Eagles' Greatest Hits, Vol. 2" while Madonna also earned her second Diamond award for "The Immaculate Collection." Aerosmith picked up their first Diamond award for "Aerosmith's Greatest Hits," while Lava Records bad boy Kid Rock reached Diamond status for "Devil Without A Cause."