Tory Lanez and Tekashi 6ix9ine have accused digital streaming providers (DSPs) of “blackballing” them with the release of their respective projects amid personal controversy, but Russ doesn’t see it that way.
Akademiks posted a video to open a dialogue about the topic on Tuesday (September 29), asking whether DSPs should be allowed to “punish” an artist when they’re involved in a federal case like 6ix9ine or an alleged domestic violence incident like Lanez with Megan Thee Stallion. Appearing in the comments, Russ noted that to be actually blackballed their music wouldn’t even be available on any of the streaming platforms – which isn’t the case.
“Being ‘blackballed’ by DSP’s would mean your music is just simply not even on the platforms at all,” he wrote. “You don’t need playlists to let your fans know you dropped music. That’s what your social media with millions of followers is for lol how is not getting on editorial (opinion) based playlists but still being able to be on the actual platform itself blackballed? Also this isn’t a response to anything said in the clip. I’m just speakin on the issue in general.”
Akademiks responded with stats to show how much impact being on a playlist has on an artist’s song or project.
“Dsp play listing accounts for 60-70% of a artist streams lol,” Ak replied. “it’s basically radio play at this point. It’s the equivalent to saying who cares about this new type of radio.. just plug in ur aux and play ur music urself. Some will but rn.. status quo by all DSPs is to pushing their subscribers to listen to editorial playlists.”
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But per Russ, those numbers are not accurate.
“Nahhh idk where you got those numbers from lol looking at mine rn (check dm if you want),” he said. “70% came from listeners own playlists/my profile. 28% was Spotify playlists. 2% ‘other’.”
Watch Akademiks’ full conversation on the topic below.
Fuck Akademiks. Should a artist be punished for never signing to a major label. Dumb questions. Should a artist be punished cuz they ugly and sex sells. Should an artist be punished cuz they make mongolian nose flute acid jazz, not pop. Should a artist be punished cuz they don’t suck ak dick daily. Fake deep bloggers gtfo. Gtfo ctha god, ak, budden, Vlad all of u fake deep assholes talking crap. Go to hell taking up space in internet depriving space from real shit
calm down buddy, its only entertainment
Cancel culture, formerly known as consequences. Consequences of your actions u choose.
I wanna smash Russ’s mom
If it is THAT hard not to shoot women in bikinis walking away.. if it is THAT hard for Tory Lanez .. that he believes he is a victim. Then he should not work in the music industry. He needs sectioning in mental hospital until he can control himself. Honestly it’s stunning how abusive men cry that they are victims. Stunning and disgusting.
I miss the days where you actually had to sell physical CDs to win. All this whining and bitching about streams, playlists, merch bundles, and featured artists didnt happen back in the OG days. Imagine Juvenile or Ludacris bitching that Best Buy cost them a billboard top 10 spot by not selling their album for $9.99 instead of $15.99 on its release date ? Or for not putting their cd in the “new music” section in the front aisle ? Or saying Specs or Sam Goody blackballed you by not putting your album poster in the store window ? That shit would never happen back in the day. Rappers these days are worried about some petty ass shit. Its like they care more about the fame than the money.
Facts but one correction. Black people in general care more about fame than money. I’d bet anything that if you give niggas the option, at least 70% wouldn’t want to be rich if they had to be anonymous…
So true. I would take the money over the fame any day. If I could be rich for life with one promise never to use social media, I would jump on the opportunity. You can meet women by just ordering them a drink from across the room. You dont need likes, clout, or numbers. Social media ruins just as many lives as it creates. Ask Pop Smoke…
Russ’ ancestors were blackballed alright. That’s why some of these italians got dark skin, dark eyes and hair.. they half n4663rs.
He looks white European, because that’s what he is
I like Russ I really do he’s smart but he’s thinking one sided ..it’s important to have dsps, playlist and editorial promos because I’m sure artist want to attract new fan bases..not every artist want a cult following and you forget Lanez was a major artist..meaning even those were not big fans still squeezed in a few listens. Now when you take those outlets away ..those who catches just like to run playlists and discover new music are left out. DUUUH RUSSS don’t start taking Ls again
Who’s this big nosed Arab?