Two of the biggest pop stars on the planet found themselves in hot waters after rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine accused them of manipulating charts to get a number one position on the coveted Billboard Hot 100. The two singers had just released a charity single entitled “Stuck With You” to raise money for COVID relief when they found themselves in an unexpected race for a number one with 6ix9ine.
Allegation
6ix9ine claimed that the pair – who are both managed by Scooter Braun – had bought 30,000 copies of their charity single, Stuck With U, to enhance its chart standing. He further claimed that sales of his single Gooba were discounted, resulting in it charting at No 3.
https://twitter.com/tswizzlesel/status/1261371460683214854?s=20
Previously, Brooklyn rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine was sentenced to four years’ probation on Friday for sexual misconduct involving a 13-year-old girl and Gooba was his first single since his release. He was released from prison on April 2, four months early, by a judge who cited his asthma and the greater danger he would face behind bars during the novel COVID outbreak. After 6ix9ine released his first new single since being released from prison, it broke YouTube’s record the most-watched hip-hop video in a 24-hour span.
Needless to say that the rapper is a controversial figure and many are aghast at his surging popularity and use of the N-word in his recent song.
Bieber and Grande
On the flip side, Grande and Bieber’s manager has long been held in contempt by fans since he became the owner of Taylor Swift’s album masters, much to her disappointment. Twitter has also erupted in a fury over Braun’s tactics to ensure that the song hit #1, making it less about Corona Virus and more about numbers for his artists. Many are siding with the rapper claiming that they won’t put it past Braun to manipulate charts to get the top spot for his artists.
Read more: Bieber and Grande (2 babies all grown up) sing “Stuck with U” to raise funds for children
The backlash grew so strong that Billboard had to release a statement refuting the rappers claims:
“Overall, Stuck With U drew 28.1m US streams, 26.3m in radio airplay audience and 108,000 sold in the tracking week … Gooba had 55.3m US streams, 172,000 in radio airplay audience and 24,000 sold. Those sums resulted in the songs’ respective rankings on this week’s Hot 100.”
Both Grande and Justin Bieber released statements about the song. The songstress used her Twitter and social accounts to release lengthy post defending her song.
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1262468555687161856?s=20
Bieber who is known to be very committed to getting number ones and has this year failed to do so despite a lengthy campaign for his lead single, Yummy, also got into the fight writing:
He says his streams don’t count. Yes they do, but he is counting his global streams and this is a domestic chart, so only domestic streams count.”
While Bieber’s new album and singles have failed to match the acclaim of his past works, both 6ix9ine and Ariana Grande have been doing rather well for herself. Grande’s previous album Thank You Next was one of the most nominated albums at the Grammys this year and broke many records through it, becoming a global pop star in the process. She is next set to collaborate with Lady Gaga on their eagerly awaited single Rain on Me that will likely give her a second number 1 before the month is over.
Read more: Justin Bieber tiptoes out of love cocoon with new album ‘Changes’
Stuck With You’s #1s gives Bieber and Grande their third #1 debuts, a feat only accomplished by singer Mariah Carey and Rapper/Singer Drake.