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A number one song on the US Billboard chart? Gee, thanks, but Ariana Grande didn’t buy it.
Ariana and Justin Bieber’s recent charity single, Stuck With U, made its debut at the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart on Tuesday, amid some major drama in the music industry.
Given that both singers’ fan bases are as strong and dedicated as they come, it’s not exactly surprising that the team-up would propel them to new heights.
Stuck With U ranks as the third number one debut in the US for both Ariana and Justin, putting them in the esteemed company of a four-way tie with Mariah Carey and Drake.
But not everybody is on board the Bieber-Grande train, with rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine accusing the duo of manipulating the charts and keeping him off the top spot.
The controversial rapper, who is currently under house arrest after being released from prison early due to coronavirus concerns, made his return to the rap scene with Gooba earlier this month.
The song debuted at number three on the chart, behind Stuck With U and Doja Cat’s Nicki Minaj-assisted Say So remix.
Earlier in the day, 6ix9ine slammed Ariana and Justin for what he described as “cheating” in a series of Instagram videos, alleging a conspiracy against him and explaining how the duo unfairly beat him to the top spot.
“YOU’RE A LIE AND CORRUPT,” he wrote to Billboard on Instagram. “YOU GOT CAUGHT CHEATING AND THE WORLD WILL KNOW.”
The rapper claimed someone “illegally” bought 60,000 units of Ariana and Justin’s duet “at the last second” and half of those were purchased with six credit cards.
“So listen, I want the world to know that Billboard is a lie. You can buy number ones on Billboard,” he said in the video, claiming that millions of his streams weren’t counted. “I want that to register in your head. You can buy number ones on Billboard.”
“You got caught cheating redhanded,” added Tekashi. “It’s not fair to artists who work… I got the biggest record.”
Ariana hit back at his claims in an Instagram post on Monday, defending her position on the chart while making it clear that “numbers aren’t the driving force” behind her music.
“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 wrote without mentioning the rapper by name.
“be grateful you’re even here. that people want to listen to u at all. it’s a blessed position to be in,” Ariana continued. “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 …. and you should feel that way too.”
Justin also weighed in a post of his own on Instagram Stories, adding that the 60,000 units in question “came because we don’t disclose our numbers until the end of the week”.
“This is my song with Ariana Grande and I’m honored to work with her to help raise money for a great case,” he wrote. “If you gonna say her name make sure you say mine because it’s our song.”
6ix9ine later clarified in his own response that he’s “not coming” for Ariana specifically, but merely expressing his frustration toward Billboard. However, he might as well get used to her claiming the top spot.
The Grammy-winning star could have another number one collaboration on her hands next week, after her highly anticipated track Rain On Me from Lady Gaga’s new album drops on Friday.
