Ariana Grande Claps Back at 6ix9ine Over Billboard Cheating Claims
Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber are stuck on top.
After a contentious showdown on the charts, the superstar duo debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their duet “Stuck With U,” while 6ix9ine’s comeback single “Gooba” enters at No. 3.
But 6xi9ine is not taking the loss well. In his latest Instagram video, he once again put Billboard on blast, claiming that they manipulated the charts in order to give Ariana and Bieber the No. 1 spot.
“I want the world to know that Billboard is a lie,” he told his 20 million followers. “You can buy No. 1s on Billboard.”
He alleges that 60,000 units were added at the last minute, and purchased using only six credit cards. He showed off his phone with 50 million streams for “Gooba” and says that only 31 million were counted by Billboard. “Billboard illegally disqualified 20 million streams so it can drop down and the people who bought the No. 1, which was ‘Stuck With U,’ can go to No. 1,” he said. “We just did a whole investigation and their best answer was, ‘We can’t disclose that information.'”
“You got caught cheating redhanded,” added Tekashi. “It’s not fair to artists who work… I got the biggest record.”
After airing out his grievances, Ariana responded to 6ix9ine’s cheating claims. Without mentioning him my name, she addressed allegations that the charts were manipulated in her favor.
“i would like to address a few things which i don’t usually do (i don’t give my energy to drama or strange accusations normally but this has gone a little too far),” she began. “my fans bought the song. JUSTIN’S fans bought the song. OUR fans bought this song (never more than four copies each, AS THE RULES STATE). they are ride or die motherfuckers and i thank god every day that i have them in my life.”
She also noted that “sales count for more than streams,” adding, “u can not discredit this as hard as u try.”
She also slammed 6ix9ine for singling her out as a woman and told him to humble himself. “to anybody that is displeased with their placement on the chart this week or who is spending their time racking their brain thinking of as many ways as they can to discredit hardworking women (and only the women for some reason…..), i ask u to take a moment to humble yourself,” she continued.
“be grateful you’re even here. that people want to listen to u at all. it’s a blessed position to be in. i’ve had a lot of ‘almost number ones’ in my career and i never said a goddamn thing because I FEEL GRATEFUL TO EVEN BE HERE. TO WANT TO BE HEARD AT ALL.”
“Stuck With U” becomes Ariana’s third No. 1 on the Hot 100 following “thank u, next” and “7 rings.” “i didn’t have a number one for the first five years of my career and it didn’t upset me at all because from the bottom of my heart, music is everything to me. my fans are everything to me,” she said.
After hitting No. 1 last week, Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj’s “Say So” drops to No. 2 this week, while Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé are No. 5 with their “Savage” collaboration.
UPDATE: 6ix9ine has issued a response to Ariana. In an Instagram video, he gave her props while saying his frustration lies with Billboard. He also lamented over his past struggles while showing footage of his humble beginnings before playing a clip of Ariana from her Nickelodeon days.
“All I’m saying is I worked super hard to make it out of Brooklyn NY. I speak for the millions of kids who aren’t as fortunate as you,” he said. “LIFE is REAL when you’re on welfare LIFE is REAL when you grow up with out a father. You don’t know what that is like. You say for me to be humble …. I don’t think you know what humble is………. YOU ARE VERY TALENTED AND BEAUTIFUL GOD BLESS YOU. But you will NEVER UNDERSTAND MY PAIN.”
Justin Bieber has also defended himself against 6ix9ine’s claims. He explained that only domestic streams count on the Billboard Hot 100 and denied that six credit cards were used to purchase 60,000 units. He states that Billboard’s policy does not allow for more than four songs to be purchased on one card.
“Nielsen company checks this and found all our sales were legit because our fans are amazing and bought them. Don’t discredit our fan base with false info,” he told 6ix9ine.
All proceeds from “Stuck With U” will benefit the First Responders Children’s Foundation, which provides grants and scholarships for children of health care workers, EMTs, paramedics, police officers, and firefighters on the front lines of the COVID pandemic.
“This is my song with Ariana Grande and I’m honored to work to work with her to help raise money for a great cause,” added Bieber. “If you gonna say her name make sure you say mine because it’s our song.”
