Billboard Issues Response To 6ix9ine Accusations Of Manipulating Charts

BY Erika Marie 86.4K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Bennett Raglin / Stringer / Getty Images
Tekashi 6ix9ine
Billboard doesn't take Tekashi 6ix9ine's accusations lightly, so they responded with a lengthy article about how they come up with their chart numbers.

He's commanding the attention of the world and it doesn't look as if Tekashi 6ix9ine is letting up anytime soon. The colorful rapper has been a tornado ever since he released his single "GOOBA"  and now he's returned, accusing Billboard of manipulating the charts in order to keep him from having the No. 1 song on the Hot 100. Tekashi 6ix9ine blasted both Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber for inching ahead of him with their song "Stuck With U," saying that Ariana's team used multiple credit cards to get her song's numbers over the line.

In his video, 6ix9ine also shows a chart of numbers where viewers can see that he had 51 million streams as compared to Billboards stats that showed 31 million. The rapper yells once again, accusing Billboard of doing dirty deeds behind the scenes. Billboard responded to the allegations, including noting that whatever chart 6ix9ine was referring to in his video isn't verifiable.

"The chart forecast referenced was not created nor provided by Billboard to the industry," they wrote in the article. "Those with access to sales, streaming and radio data from various sources often create their own chart models and update them at their own frequency. Billboard does not distribute any Hot 100 ranking forecast to labels, management or artists.

They also wrote that the number listed on 6ix9ine's "GOOBA" YouTube video shows global plays, while they only count U.S.-based plays. Billboard also addressed the "six credit cards" claim. "Billboard and Nielsen Music/MRC Data conducts audits on all sales reported with access to purchase-level detail, and works with data partners to recognize excessive bulk purchases and remove those units from the final sales total. All titles this week, as in every week, were put under the same scrutiny. (Billboard has reached out to Fame House/Bravado, retailer and reporter of director-to-consumer sales, for further comment about the sales data provided for 'Stuck With U.')

If you're looking for a comprehensive breakdown, you can check that out here. Meanwhile, Tekashi 6ix9ine continues to troll the company.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.