The Queen rapper took to Twitter last night (August 19), calling bullshit on the chart rankings and making it clear that she thinks she deserves the top spot.
Minaj claims that her new album broke a record by landing at No. 1 in 86 countries, but that the U.S. numbers were skewed by Kylie Jenner and Spotify.
The Keeping Up with the Kardashians star and mother to Scott's baby shared the poster for his "Astroworld: Wish You Were Here Tour" on Instagram, encouraging fans to buy tickets to the upcoming shows before the dates were even announced. According to Minaj, Scott sold more than 50,000 "Season Passes" for tour pre-sales that included a copy of the album, but no requirement to redeem the album.
Queen sold 185,000 units in its first week, while Astroworld sold 205,000 in its second week. Minaj alleges, however, that if the unredeemed Scott albums were taken into account that she would be sitting on top.
Travis sold over 50K of these. With no requirement of redeeming the album! With no dates for a tour, etc. I spoke to him. He knows he doesn't have the #1 album this week. I love my fans for the #1 album in AMERICA! I'll explain on #QueenRadio 4 albums in, #1 in 86 countries ♥️ pic.twitter.com/CiYEuczgm3
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
She also pointed out that her album landed at noon, rather than midnight, leaving her to miss out on the first 12 hours of sales.
My first album sold 400K. No one is doing that with debut albums now. So I'm so grateful. I lost out on 12 hours of sales and did 200K in one week after I was supposedly cancelled. I bit my tongue last #QueenRadio but I won't On Tuesday. I love you guys so much
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
I looked at the numbers the Carters, Kanye, Nas, etc recently did. Travis sold 200K in his first week of clothes alone. I spoke to him last night & he said he's been selling clothes b4 the music. Billboard says they'll change the rules cuz of this, so it should be changed now!
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
I put my blood sweat & tears in writing a dope album only for Travis Scott to have Kylie Jenner post a tour pass telling ppl to come see her & Stormi. lol. Im actually laughing. #Queen broke the record of being number 1 in 86 countries. Thank Jesus & thank you to my fans.
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Minaj went on to suggest that her next episode of Queen Radio on Beats 1 will be packed with juicy details of the chart sales drama.
#QueenRadio on TUESDAY
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
She didn't stop there, though, heaping some of the blame for getting second place on Spotify.
Spotify put drake's face on every playlist but told me they'd have to teach me a lesson for playing my music 10 mins early on #QueenRadio. Even tho they've been giving away my music for free for years & I am one of the top Spotify artists of all time.
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Spotify had to teach me a lesson but rewarded the man who has had an Apple radio show the longest; inadvertently helping the Apple platform the most. Oh I can't wait for #QueenRadio on Tuesday. They took away my promotion they had promised for the 1st cpl days b/c of this. #Queen
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
My music went up on Apple so I played it. I assumed it was on Spotify & Tidal at the same time. Spotify said that Apple tweeted fans advising #Queen was up & therefore they had to teach me a lesson. But PRAISE BE TO GOD!!!!!!
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
My label didn't want to defend me for fear of Spotify trying to teach Ariana a "lesson" too! https://t.co/1dAdbcbWVd
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Do you know how many people subscribe to my Spotify page?????
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
Do you know how many women get systematically blackballed out of their positions in an office building & can't fight back?????
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
UPDATE (8/20, 2:30 p.m. EDT): A Spotify rep has now responded to Minaj's claims and told Variety the following: "Spotify supported Nicki Minaj with a Times Square billboard, a host of the largest playlists, New Music Friday and the new music release shelf. Her song 'Bed' actually saw an increase based on the promotions put behind the campaign. The company continues to be big fans of Nicki."
Minaj later seemed to imply that she wasn't all that bothered by the whole thing, though.
People are calling me thinking I'm huffing & puffing. Omg y'all this is sarcasm/dry humor. Yikes. I'm having the most iconNIC time. Come let me kiss you. 😩😘😘😘 Who's coming to the secret show? When people call me & hear me crackin up laughing they seem so puzzled. Loosen up 😅
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
But I did write a new freestyle n I'll record it later. I felt it was time. #Queen pic.twitter.com/TEoKWGtYxh
— QUEEN (@NICKIMINAJ) August 19, 2018
The drama hasn't stopped her from putting out new material. While we await her new freestyle, check out a Queen bonus track from the Target edition of the album called "Regular Degular" below.