Post Malone has addressed the questions about the authenticity of his first #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. After multiple reports noted how a loop video for “Rockstar” on YouTube may have been used to game the system, Malone fired back by dismissing the controversy — specifically targeting a tweet and article by SPIN.
“Well the song is good so probably not the only reason why,” he tweeted on Tuesday (October 17) in response to SPIN tweet about the loop video.
Malone also expressed frustration with the doubt surrounding his 21 Savage-assisted single’s success.
“Whenever you live your dreams everyone wants to try to take it away from you,” he wrote later on Tuesday.
Republic Records, Malone’s label and the party that uploaded the video in question, hasn’t issued any statement or comment on the controversy.
(The original version of this article was published on October 18, 2017 and can found below.)
Post Malone is allegedly reaping the benefits of a curious YouTube video uploaded by his label, Republic Records, last month. According to The FADER, Republic may have used a loophole in order to help Malone’s new single reach #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The labeling of the video would lead a viewer to believe it’s the full song for his 21 Savage-assisted record, “Rockstar.” Instead, the video is a loop of the chorus featured on the song. 21 Savage’s verse is absent from the audio.
Additionally, the description of the video reads “FULL SONG HERE,” and includes a link to the various streaming options for the song.
As of Wednesday (October 18), a view count for the YouTube video stands at over 44 million. The comments for the YouTube video have been disabled.
It’s currently unclear just how big of a role the video loop played in “Rockstar” obtaining the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this past week. In a statement to Genius, Billboard said, “U.S. streams for that clip do contribute to our songs charts, the same way an instrumental track or a remix of a song would count towards the main song’s placement if downloaded or streamed.”
Regardless, the song is a bonafide hit, and has been topping the daily Spotify charts for more than a week with millions of plays.
But Republic’s video has caught even more attention given that YouTube streams will reportedly soon be taken into consideration for the Billboard 200 albums chart.
If regardless it’s a bonafide but why the hell are you writing an article like this. Assholes
Because he’s white
? because it boosted the single numbers– thus giving it the visibility it needed to become #1…are you slow? (joe budden voice)
This whole business of using YouTube numbers will always be flawed. Unless they come up with a system that counts one view from an IP address, not counting the blocked ones, I can Farley say we’ll get an honest count. I know people that put tracks on repeat, me included. And not counting a record labels staff or an artists crew to keep hitting reload.
it just doest seem right to count this bullshit. Imagine the “numbers” some records would have if they weren’t bootlegged heavy. So many dope acts fell to the wayside because they didn’t have a tool like YouTube or tidal or wtf ever.
Youtube is the world’s biggest search engine especially when it comes to discovering new music. Why WOULDN’T those figures be counted? It simply reflects how WE, the audience, consume music now.
Chris Farley?
what a ridiculous photo to use for this news story.
That’s how ridiculous he looks/is ….
His album should be called “A HERB FROM THE SUBURBS”
Doesn’t matter he stole the song from Toney Blanco
Culture Vulture!!!!!!!!! I do not like this dude man.
When hip hop is THE BIGGEST music genre worldwide, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see Japanese kids with dreads or white guys with cornrows. Like it or not, that’s how culture spreads. Are you a culture vulture if you enjoy Chinese food or dance to latin music at a cookout, or prefer wearing tight or baggy jeans?
Totally fine if you don’t like dude. Just leave it at that.
LOL says the white guy. You sound stupid…. A Vulture Profits Off Another Culture they know nothing about. Watch his video before the fame… a straight LAME. Wearing booty shorts and singing. Not a drop of urban culture in his body. Now they have got him with some writers and producers and he’s this person that he is not on these songs because he’s white and it makes money. If I go eat Chinese food how am I a Vulture? Thats makes no sense. I have NEVER seen a black owned Chinese restaurant have you? Exactly…..
THE WHITE MAN IS THE DEVIL
Wtf are you talking about not all white people are racist “devil”
Overblown media bullshit. The song is a hit first and foremost. How streams are counted is different. He’s capitalised off his slow burn debut album’s success, lets be real, we all counted him out when it dropped…reviews popped up saying he had no soul and place in the industry…..he’s then decided to roll out for his follow up quickly. No one saw Congratulations getting that high on the billboard, but it sure as hell benefitted this records success. People need to learn the business before they run their mouths. How many intelligent people are actually writing hiphop blogs? Where did you study again?
“After being beaten, walked upon, spit upon, lynched, burned, sold from one plantation to another, withered down in chains with balls of iron–now overnight you love your SLAVEMASTER?!?” – The Hon. Elijah Muhammad
From a (musicologist) Post Malone rockstar MDK up to something first two lines vocal compared rhythm, melody, Lyrics.
MDK title and UPS Code for Rockstar – Dec,11 2015
Line 1
MDK – Popping all these bottles they like, O’ They must be up to somthin
Post Malone – I been fn hoes Popin pillys man I feel just like a rock star
Line 2
MDK – Smokin On This Gas, ….. Like, They must be up to somthin
Post Malone – All me brothers got that Gas and they always be smokin like a rasta
NOTE: This is an example of the first
two lines of each so song. Simple plagiarism and manipulation of lines (there are 7 More).
I for one think this is an absolutely fantastic idea. I am biased being well concerned with sustainability, but I still think this will leave a strong impression on people.