Jay-Z says Billboard’s music charts are “irrelevant” to him because the company isn’t keeping up with the “changing times”.
The rapper released his latest album Magna Carta Holy Grail on July 4.
As MTV News reports, Billboard declined to include the first million sales because the volumes were purchased en masse in a deal he orchestrated with Samsung.
The firm purchased the copies in bulk for $5 each and then distributed MCHG to their customers via a phone application before it hit stores.
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced the album went platinum almost immediately, while it failed to hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
MCHG has been number one on Billboard’s album chart since its release on iTunes and in retail stores July 9.
Jay sat down with music journalist Elliott Wilson to speak about the discrepancy in a video interview published on the star’s Life + Times YouTube page.
He revealed he doesn’t agree with Billboard’s decision not to recognise the revenue stream.
“If you’re not with the changing times, you’re irrelevant to me. I’m going to move on,” he said.
The rapper also disagrees with Billboard’s business model.
He argued the company’s chart system is working against artists, rather than propelling them forward.
“They work for us. Their job is to encourage the business to bring in new revenue streams, not to discourage me,” Jay explained, revealing he was forced into looking at unconventional means to get his music out there.
“What am I supposed to do Just wait and sit here…
