DJ KHALED: More About That *Billboard* Disqualification
Written by KingCnote on June 11, 2019
We’re learning more about why Billboard disqualified a bundling deal DJ Khaled set up for his latest album from chart consideration.
Billboard thinks there’s something sketchy about the company that makes Awake Energy Shot. Specifically, that retailer Market America is part of a multi-level marketing scheme. Back in 2017, Market America was hit with a racketeering lawsuit and allegations of being an “illegal pyramid scheme” that unfairly targets Chinese-American immigrants.
An online listing for Awake Energy Shot encouraged customers to buy 12 packages [of energy drinks] to ‘push DJ Khaled and Market America to number one!” 100,000 equivalent album sales weren’t counted — a number Billboard disputes — causing Father of Asahd to fall behind Tyler the Creator‘s Igor, which was also bundled with poster and T-shirt sales.
Khaled is planning a “major lawsuit” against Billboard. Meanwhile, Billboard has re-evaluated its rules about bundling deals and plans to announce changes next year. (New York Times)