The Billboard 200 albums chart plays a critical role in analyzing the commercial success of an album. However, while the metrics system is carefully calculated, there is still room for error, as is the case with recent projects from 6ix9ine and Travis Scott.
As previously reported, the results of the Billboard 200 chart for the week ending Dec. 2 showed that 6ix9ine’s Dummy Boy debuted at the No. 2 slot, right below Scott’s Grammy-nominated Astroworld re-entering the top of the chart. Reportedly, the numbers in question are now being audited by Nielsen Music due to a processing discrepancy. It is being reported that the chart positions were not an accurate depiction of the data, which could result in a possible lawsuit.
“Upon completion of the in-depth audit of data sources across streaming and retail, Billboard will announce any resulting changes that may affect chart rankings,” the publication released in a statement, announcing the week in question is now under review.
Reports add that SoundCloud allegedly issued 6ix9ine’s streaming numbers late in the process, playing a direct role in the possible chart mix-up.
Per Hits Daily Double, lawsuits were reportedly being spoken about since last week (Dec. 7) during meetings between Sony, Billboard, Nielsen and Create Music Group (the distribution company behind Dummy Boy).
“Our team has done a deep dive and found the cause of the initial discrepancy,” Nielsen’s Drew Bennett shared in a statement with Hits Daily Double. “We’ve since then reprocessed the jobs necessary and re-finalized the charts. As a result, 6ix9ine’s Dummy Boy will be moving to #1… Our team is working quickly to identify the root cause of this discrepancy to ensure that we get it right the first time.”
At the time of this report, the results of the audit have not yet been shared. Instead, Nielsen Music’s website includes a disclaimer reading, “Notice: The Charts and all chart related features are currently unavailable for Week 48 2018 forward. This functionality will return soon.”
Fans of the incarcerated rapper vocalized their frustration with Scott’s Black Friday merch bundles, expressing that the move “wasn’t fair.” The Astroworld rapper included a digital copy of the album with each purchase of the limited edition merchandise. As a result of the influx of the album sales, the rapper found himself re-entering the No. 1 spot on the chart.
More on this story as it develops.