Artists beware. Coming soon on January 3rd, 2020, new Billboard chart rules will change the way artists market their new albums. After recent controversy, album bundles must be priced higher than merchandise sold individually. More specifically, album-bundles must be priced at least $3.49 higher than the merchandise sold individually. Billboard counting album bundling in sales has been a major source of drama between artists.
Billboard’s rule change stems from recent drama. Nicki Minaj and DJ Khaled felt cheated by Tyler, the Creator’s album-bundles. DJ Khaled expressed frustration after his album, Father of Asahd, had more listeners than Tyler, the Creator but didn’t have as many album-bundles sold. Despite having his sales disqualified for third-party partnering, Khaled took shots at Tyler, the Creator, saying: “I’m in the music bizz not bundle bizz.”
Nicki Minaj filed a complaint after Tyler, the Creator’s album-bundles boosted his sales to #1 on Billboard 200. Minaj felt jilted by an unfair policy. Her album Queen fell just one spot short of number 1 because of album bundling practiced by her counterpart, Tyler, the Creator.
Billboard has headed these complaints and will introduce the new album bundling policy as a result of the recent controversy.
Albums released before January 3rd, 2020 must adhere to Billboard’s upcoming policy change. Pitchfork reported that Tyler, the Creator isn’t the only artist that has benefited from album bundling. Ariana Grande, Kanye West, and Post Malone received the number 1 album spot from bundling. Billboard is hopeful this rule change will make for more authentic album sale results.
Who would you like to see take the number 1 album spot on Billboard 200? Let us know below in the comments!
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Featured Image: Billboard logo via billboard.com, edited by Ibby Morris
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