Justin Bieber's Hit 'Baby' is the Biggest Selling Single in US History

Justin Bieber has received the Diamond Award for his hit 'Baby' after the song broke a new US sales record.

The 19-year-old Canadian singer was given the accolade by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) after the 2010 single went platinum 12 times in the States.

Baby, which also has almost 900 million views on YouTube, was released as the lead cut from the second-half of the teen heartthrobs' debut album My World 2.0 and features the rapper Ludacris. It has since sold 12 million copies.

In doing so, the song dethroned Elton John's 1973 double-A 'Candle in the Wind'/'Something About The Way You Look Tonight' as the highest-certified single in US music history.

Bieber's manager Scooter Braun presented the award to the star on stage in front of 20,000 screaming fans during his show in Newark.

"I met Justin when he was 12, and through all the good times and all the hard times, he has stayed positive and worked hard for all of you," Braun said of his protégé.

"So it gives me great pleasure... to give you this (award) which says 'The Diamond Award is presented to Justin Bieber in recognition of Baby for 12 million sales."

Thanking his fans for their support, Bieber, who is currently on his word tour, said: "Well, first and foremost I want to thank all my Beliebers in the audience tonight.

"Second of all, I want to thank all my Beliebers at home. I want to thank my mum for always believing in me."