DJ Khaled reportedly takes issue with Billboard over not counting bundled 'Father of Asahd' sales

Last month, DJ Khaled's "Father of Asahd" and Tyler, the Creator's "IGOR" had nearly equal numbers for streaming on the Billboard 200. The New York Times reported that the top spot came down to the validity of the artists' bundles, a type of sale in which a song download or album is tacked on to another purchase, like a concert ticket or T-shirt.

The decision, according to one tabloid report, has Khaled furious and he may take legal action.

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Tyler, the Creator’s bundle offered clothing, while Khaled’s album was tied to the sales of Isotonix Essentials Turn Up energy drinks through Shop.com.

Billboard decided Tyler's bundles were OK, but Khaled's were not because the items, sold by Shop.com and its parent company Market America, promoted the bulk sales of the merchandise online.

"In this particular instance, we saw an organization encouraging purchases among their members by promising them material and organizational benefits," Deanna Brown, the president of the Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group, said in a statement.

The decision knocked Khaled’s album “Father of Asahd” to the No. 2 spot, making “IGOR” the No. 1 album.

Credit: Craig Barritt

Credit: Craig Barritt

According to Page Six, this didn't sit well with the 43-year-old DJ. The tabloid claims he is planning to sue Billboard over the disqualification of thousands of sales.

Whether the report is true, The Shade Room reported that Khaled took to Instagram to indirectly comment on Billboard's decision.

"Here's the thing, I make albums so people can play it and you actually hear it," Khaled said in the video.
You know, driving your car you hear another car playing it. Go to the barber shop, you hear them playing it. You know, turn the radio on, and you hear them playing it. You know, it's playing everywhere -- it's called great music. It's called albums that you actually hear the songs. Not no mysterious (expletive), and you never hear it. Up on your dome."

The post was deleted, but not before outlets got a hold of it, and not before a fan praised Tyler, the Creator for "doin pretty good for some 'mysterious (expletive).'"

"Yeah i am, IGOR OUT NOW," the rapper tweeted in response to the fan.

The Blast reported that Khaled's issue is with Billboard, not Tyler, the Creator.

Khaled’s “Father of Asahd” is currently at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, having peaked at No. 1 last week. “IGOR” is currently No. 6, after falling from No. 1 to No. 3 last week.

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