5SOS all over again? Tekashi69 slams Billboard for manipulating charts to keep 'Gooba' off #1 and bump Ariana Grande
Rapper 6ix9ine aka Tekashi69, is causing a stir since he got out of prison. Following the recent release of his new single 'Gooba', the Brooklyn rapper is now accusing Billboard for intentionally cheating him out of Hot 100 chart by manipulating it as the hit track misses the No. 1 spot.
Tekashi took to Instagram to point to proofs of Billboard's alleged manipulation on May 15. In a posted video with the caption, "BILLBOARD DONT LIKE TATTLETALES😒 @billboard explain this to the millions of artist who never got #1 because you guys play favorites," he showed an email that was purportedly sent to major record labels on Thursday.
The email had 'Say So' by Doja Cat at No. 1, while 'Gooba' slotted at No. 2. The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' ranked No. 3, and Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé's 'Savage' was at No. 4. Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande's 'Stuck With U' earned No. 5.
Tekashi claimed that Billboard sent another email at the "last second" on May 14 night, which had 'Stuck With U' ascending from No. 5 to No. 1 after gaining 60,000 units "out of nowhere."
In the clip, Tekashi said, "[Grande and Bieber] went from being fifth place to first place out of nowhere. So 'Gooba' never jumps to No. 1, but Ariana jumps from No. 5 to No. 1?" He pointed viewers to a tweet by Billboard that promoted signed physical copies of the 'Stuck With U' single. He said, "I'll be real disappointed 'cause this is for every rapper, artist in the world. Every genre. If you manipulate the charts right and you create bundles... 'Gooba' streamed over 200 millions streams — more than 'Stuck With U', Doja Cat, more than every artist that released a song this week double the times. It's a landslide." He also added that Sony and Universal Music requested audits.
"Because literally, you're manipulating the charts now. So, Billboard, the world is watching... If y'all do this to every artist in the world, how can an artist that works hard get No. 1? How?" Tekashi asked.
Before the video, according to AceShowbiz.com, Tekashi warned Billboard in a post (which is now removed). He said, "We love you (Billboard) and always supported the charting" before adding, "On every platform we are dominating by a LANDSLIDE."
He continued, "The numbers are there and to be looked at. WITH NO RADIO WE ARE DOMINATING THE STREAMS. I will hate to believe that people pay for their spins on the radio and making manipulating bundles to manipulate the chart. Again it's still early I'm just making it clear that the world is watching."
Watch the recent video of Tekashi calling out Billboard here.