Cardi B fans, affectionately called the #BardiGang, launched a sales and streaming war to block her longtime nemesis Nicki Minaj‘s latest album, ‘Pink Friday 2,’ from coloring its name atop the Billboard 200 in December.
While their endeavor was unsuccessful, Minaj’s fans – affectionately called #Barbz – apparently didn’t forget as they officially clapped back when Cardi delivered her new single ‘Like What‘ on Friday (March 1).
Amid critical acclaim and warm reception, the GRAMMY winner seemed a shoo-in for the top spot on real-time iTunes sales chart. That is, until Nicki blocked her with a nearly 4-month-old song thanks to her loyal fans.
Details inside.
A fan favorite from ‘PF2,’ ‘Pink Friday Girls‘ – which features a prominent sample of Cyndi Lauper‘s signature 1983 hit ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun‘ – has danced its way to #1 on the updated iTunes sales ranking.
iTunes Sales Chart Top 10 (USA)
*as of time reported*
[photo courtesy: PopVortex]
Outselling current hits like Beyonce‘s ‘Texas Hold Em,’ Muni Long‘s ‘Made for Me,’ Miley Cyrus’ ‘Doctor,’ and more, the uptick in commercial activity for ‘Girls’ comes as #Barbz have been galvanized into a streaming and sales party on social media.
The effort has not only seen Minaj lifted to #1 on current iTunes USA (her record-extending 44th chart-topper), but also abroad by soaring to the top in Barbados and Portugal while jetting into the iTunes top 10 of Ghana, Chile, South Africa, and other countries.
Should the handsome sales and streaming performance continue in the days to come, ‘Girls’ may re-enter the Hot 100 week after next and potentially best its current #82 peak on the hitlist.
As for Cardi, ‘Like What’ – which features a prominent sample of Missy Elliott‘s 1999 hit ‘She’s a B*tch’ – is getting its flowers around the globe as well as it’s broken into the top 10 of the USA, Nigeria, Barbados, South Africa, Dominican Republic, Poland, Brazil, The Phillippines, and more.
Keep it locked to That Grape Juice for more on this story including where both songs land on the refreshed Hot 100 week after next.