On September 6, 2024, the music industry buzz centered around a dispute involving Travis Scott's label, Cactus Jack Records, after Sabrina Carpenter's album 'Short N' Sweet' reportedly debuted at Number One on the Billboard album chart, surpassing Scott's 10th anniversary reissue of 'Days Before Rodeo'. Two weeks ago, both artists released significant albums, establishing a fierce competition for the top chart position. According to Billboard, Carpenter's album sold 362,000 units, just edging out Scott's 361,000.
However, an anonymous representative from Cactus Jack Records has raised concerns, claiming that the counting methods used by Billboard and tabulation company Luminate were unreliable and incomplete. In a letter sent to Billboard, the representative suggested that a substantial number of orders were overlooked which could have significantly enhanced the sales figures for Scott's album.
The letter also hinted at potential bias, arguing that a Luminate employee may have personal motivations in favor of Carpenter, due to prior employment at Island Records, Carpenter's label. In response, a spokesperson for Luminate defended the integrity and accuracy of their sales figures, asserting confidence in their established methodology.
This chart disagreement comes in a tumultuous period for Scott, who recently settled the last of several wrongful death lawsuits connected to the Astroworld Festival and faced multiple arrests in recent months shocking incidents. Despite these challenges, Scott has achieved remarkable success on his current Circus Maximus tour, breaking attendance and merchandise sales records.
For Carpenter, 2024 has seen a trajectory of rapid ascent following the positive reception of 'Short N' Sweet,' which received a four-star review from NME and features collaborations like the music video for her single 'Taste' alongside Jenna Ortega. As Carpenter continues to stake her claim within the industry, the ongoing chart battle with Scott further highlights the competitive landscape of contemporary pop music.