(CelebrityAccess) Nicki Minaj took to Twitter on Sunday to tell the world why she thinks Travis Scott’s Astroworld took the Nielsen Soundscan No. 1 slot over her album Queen, and it involves Spotify, Kylie Jenner and Apple Music.
Minaj’s album sold 185,000 unites in its debut, 20,000 less than Scott’s album. In her tweets, Minaj claims Spotify is paying her back for hosting her “Queen Radio” show on Apple Music, playing music from the album an hour before its release, as noted by Variety. She claims Spotify the retracted an agreed-upon promotion.
She said she talked to Scott and he “knows he doesn’t have the #1 album this week.” plus that Scott’s merch sales and concert tickets gave him an edge, although the same would apply to Minaj.
There was also a mention of Scott’s baby mama Kylie Jenner who promoted Astroworld on Instagram.
A Spotify representative has responded with the following statement: “Spotify supported Nicki Minaj with a Times Square billboard, a host of the largest playlists, New Music Friday and the new music release shelf. Her song ‘Bed’ actually saw an increase based on the promotions put behind the campaign. The company continues to be big fans of Nicki.”
Fun fact: Scott and Jenner are seated directly behind Minaj at tonight’s VMA broadcast, unless there is a last-minute rearrangement.
I looked at the numbers the Carters, Kanye, Nas, etc recently did. Travis sold 200K in his first week of clothes alone. I spoke to him last night & he said he’s been selling clothes b4 the music. Billboard says they’ll change the rules cuz of this, so it should be changed now!
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
I put my blood sweat & tears in writing a dope album only for Travis Scott to have Kylie Jenner post a tour pass telling ppl to come see her & Stormi. lol. Im actually laughing. #Queen broke the record of being number 1 in 86 countries. Thank Jesus & thank you to my fans.
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Spotify put drake’s face on every playlist but told me they’d have to teach me a lesson for playing my music 10 mins early on #QueenRadio. Even tho they’ve been giving away my music for free for years & I am one of the top Spotify artists of all time.
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Spotify had to teach me a lesson but rewarded the man who has had an Apple radio show the longest; inadvertently helping the Apple platform the most. Oh I can’t wait for #QueenRadio on Tuesday. They took away my promotion they had promised for the 1st cpl days b/c of this. #Queen
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
My music went up on Apple so I played it. I assumed it was on Spotify & Tidal at the same time. Spotify said that Apple tweeted fans advising #Queen was up & therefore they had to teach me a lesson. But PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!!!!
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
My label didn’t want to defend me for fear of Spotify trying to teach Ariana a “lesson” too! https://t.co/1dAdbcbWVd
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Do you know how many women get systematically blackballed out of their positions in an office building & can’t fight back?????
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
People are calling me thinking I’m huffing & puffing. Omg y’all this is sarcasm/dry humor. Yikes. I’m having the most iconNIC time. Come let me kiss you. 😩😘😘😘 Who’s coming to the secret show? When people call me & hear me crackin up laughing they seem so puzzled. Loosen up 😅
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018