Travis Scott’s label dispute that Sabrina Carpenter beat him to Number One on US album chart https://t.co/sIdX6jmPhZ
— NME (@NME) September 6, 2024
After Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet album was declared the No 1. album over Travis Scott’s Days Before Rodeo on the Billboard 200 chart this week, Vulture reports that the rapper’s label is disputing the results.
In a letter obtained by the outlet, Cactus Jack Records reached out to representatives for Billboard and Luminate and alleged that the process behind this week’s albums chart was “unreliable and incomplete.” The label focused on a portion of sales Cactus Jack claimed were not included in Days Before Rodeo’s final number, which could have pushed Scott to No. 1.
The writer of the unsigned letter claimed they were “not reaching out as management for an upset artist.” Instead, the note was on behalf of Cactus Jack Records and Scott’s Cactus Jack store.
The letter continued, saying it “is especially concerning” that the Luminate employee (Nelson Thomas) whom Cactus Jack corresponded with had previously worked for Carpenter’s label, Island Records, alleging he would have “a personal incentive” for Team Sabrina. “Occam’s razor principle dictates the explanation that requires the fewest assumptions is usually correct,” read the letter. According to Thomas’ LinkedIn, he left Island in May 2021, four months after Island signed Carpenter in January 2021.
“All of this paints a deeply troubling picture especially given the drastic swing reported,” the letter claims. It concludes by asking Luminate “to give one final consideration” to units in question.
Ultimately, Luminate stood by its data. “We are confident that our numbers are correct in accordance with our processes and methodology,” a spokesperson said.
Were the charts rigged against Travis Scott? 🤔
Travis Scott’s team showed proof of 1,300 units that would’ve earned him a #1, but they were ignored by a Luminate (Billboard data) employee who came from Sabrina Carpenter’s label… conflict of interest? pic.twitter.com/IMiHat9MFV
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) September 6, 2024
A Travis Scott rep says their letter about the Billboard 200 was “never about Travis vs. Sabrina,” but about the “integrity” and “questionable tactics” of the charts.
“This could happen to any artist.”
More: https://t.co/AgNbWhoGHGhttps://t.co/AgNbWhoGHG
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) September 6, 2024
Carpenter is expected to remain at No. 1 for a second week with sales around 158K units.
