Billboard has officially started counting user streams from music streaming services SoundCloud, Audiomack and 7digital into its mainline music charts. This is according to a statement by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) released last week.
A2IM says streaming activity from SoundCloud and Audiomack will impact the Billboard Global 200 and other global charts save the ones in the US, while user streams on 7digital will be included in the data that informs the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard 200, Billboard Artist 100 and Billboard Global 200 charts, as well as all other US and global charts, which factor in streaming data.
Billboard’s radio charts are compiled using information tracked by MRC Data, while its steaming songs chart ranks the week’s top streamed radio tracks, on-demand songs and videos on leading online music platforms. The Billboard Hot 100, meanwhile, combines streaming, radio and sales units.
The data from the DSPs took effect last week and will impact the charts for the tracking week of 23 to 29 July, which will reflect on Billboard charts from 7 August.
“All streams for Audiomack, SoundCloud and 7digital represent on-demand audio plays and are currently represented as part of the Others bucket within MRC’s Music Connect,” A2IM says.
Billboard’s move could increase the visibility of popular songs on SoundCloud and Audiomack, which are focused on independent musicians. In October last year, ‘Jerusalema’ by Master KG featuring Burna Boy and Nomcebo Zikode peaked at No 38 on the Billboard Global 200 Chart.
The platform has been accused of manipulating charts on the Hot 100, most notably by US rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, who in 2020 said that Ariana Grande had made a last-minute purchase of 30 000 units “with six credit cards” to influence her rankings on the charts.
“You can buy number ones [chart positions] on Billboard,” the rapper said on Instagram. “You’re a liar and corrupt. You got caught cheating and the world will know.”
Billboard denied the allegations and said that neither publicly available streaming-platform figures like those on YouTube nor privately available streaming stats are used to determine the Hot 100 rankings.
7digital, which is based in the UK, has had financial woes with a 30% tumble in its share price since the start of the year. However, the company recently inked a deal with AI audio-technology platform Super Hi-Fi to enhance the music listening experiences. 7digital and SoundCloud both partnered with Triller last year. Audiomack, meanwhile, this month rolled out its Monetisation Programme to the rest of the world, which, the platform says, makes it the only streaming service to directly pay artists with no third party.
Source: Music In Africa
