In 1996 , Apple 's debut album , '' Tidal '' , was released by Work Records and Columbia Records . The album sold 2.7 million copies and was certified three times platinum in the U.S. " Criminal " , the third single , became a hit and the song reached the top 40 on the U.S. '' Billboard '' Hot 100 . The song 's controversial Mark Romanek-directed music video played on MTV . Other singles from '' Tidal '' included " Shadowboxer " , " Sleep to Dream " , and " Never Is a Promise " . At the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards , Apple accepted the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist for her song " Sleep to Dream " . During her acceptance speech , she said : '' The New Yorker '' and '' NYRock '' criticized her MTV award show speech . " When I have something to say , I 'll say it , " she said , responding to these criticisms in an article in '' Rolling Stone '' in January 1998
1997 MTV Video Music Awards
1997 MTV Video Music Awards
Fiona Apple