The music industry's dirty little secret about chart-topping hits just got a massive, controversial confirmation from one of rap's most notorious figures.
In a recent interview that covered everything from his controversial testimony against gang associates to his bold claims about industry manipulation, rapper 6ix9ine appeared to tacitly justify allegations that he paid to secure the #1 spot on the Billboard charts for his 2020 collaboration with Nicki Minaj, "Trollz."
The conversation with DJ Vlad explored the widespread practice of artificial streaming and commercially manufactured success in music. While discussing what many call "industry plants"—artists who appear to achieve overnight success through behind-the-scenes industry support rather than organic growth—6ix9ine seemed to reference the unusual chart performance of "Trollz."
Here's what makes this story particularly intriguing: The song achieved the remarkable feat of reaching #1 on the prestigious Billboard Hot 100 chart, only to experience the most dramatic fall from the top spot in chart history at that time, plummeting to #34 in its second week. This pattern often raises eyebrows among music industry observers, as it can suggest that initial success was artificially inflated rather than built on genuine listener demand.
When directly questioned about whether he paid to secure that #1 position, 6ix9ine offered a fascinatingly ambiguous response that neither confirmed nor denied the allegation. "I was so heavy on bashing Billboard and Nielsen that they tried to make me look bad," he explained. "I exposed the world, that you can buy number ones, these numbers are inflated. I exposed the music industry."
But here's where it gets controversial...
6ix9ine then made a curious comparison to his own career trajectory, asking: "Right? I was delivering food in 2016, 2015... From delivering food, you think I was made in a lab? An industry plant? I'm real as f**k."
This reveal becomes even more significant when you consider the context. These comments emerged during a period when the New York rapper was reportedly frustrated that his previous comeback single "GOOBA" had failed to reach #1. This timing raises important questions about whether his subsequent actions with "Trollz" were a direct response to that earlier disappointment.
And this is the part most people miss...
The conversation took an even more revealing turn when 6ix9ine and Vlad discussed how common these practices might be among other major artists, specifically mentioning contemporary hip-hop heavyweights like Young Thug and even global superstar Drake. This suggests we might be looking at an industry-wide phenomenon rather than an isolated incident.
When pressed for specifics about what it actually costs to "buy" a #1 hit, 6ix9ine's response was particularly telling: "Well, I don't know, because that's what the label – Matter of fact, I didn't need to buy s**t." This abrupt shift in his statement—starting to reference label involvement before quickly reversing course—leaves listeners with more questions than answers.
Here's what makes this conversation so provocative: Is 6ix9ine actually exposing industry corruption, or is he simply justifying his own participation in a system he claims to condemn? His narrative positions him simultaneously as both whistleblower and participant, creating a fascinating moral contradiction.
Now I want to hear from you: Does 6ix9ine's explanation change how you view chart success in the music industry? Are artists who manipulate the system ultimately hurting the industry, or are they just playing the game by its established rules? And perhaps most importantly—if buying chart positions is indeed widespread, does that diminish the accomplishments of artists who achieve #1 hits through more traditional means? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I'm genuinely curious where our readers stand on this controversial topic.
Article originally covered by Gabriel Bras Nevares for HotNewHipHop
