According to an Associated Press news article, Rapper Rick Ross' ringtone is now a blingtone. Ross received a plaque with a golden cell phone Wednesday when officials from the music industry honored 128 songs as the first batch of gold and platinum ringtones.

Like vinyl, tapes and CDs, the sounds of ringing cell phones will now translate into awards for sales of 500,000, 1 million and beyond. "The ringtones are just another gateway to connecting with the kids and the fans," said Ross, whose award sported a shiny cell phone rather than the usual gold album. "That's just the next level."

Ross has an album that will be launched later this year, was cited for his best-selling single "Hustlin'." He was joined in the ring(tone) of honor by big-name acts like the Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, 50 Cent, Kanye West and others.