Megan Thee Stallion's new single "Cobra" has pulled a Humpty Dumpty and fallen down the Billboard Hot 100 chart, dropping a noticeable 31 spots this week. The decline was expected, given the lack of radio play for the track. Per Talk of the Charts, "Cobra" is currently pulling in a massive 8.6 million streams (96% of its total consumption) but a measly 0.08 in airplay (a mere 2%).
This highlights the incredible feat Megan achieved in cracking the top 50 of the Billboard chart in the first place. But without radio support, maintaining stability on that chart would be an uphill battle.
For comparison, despite having lower streaming numbers, artists like Doechii, Jelly Roll, and Dua Lipa have all charted significantly higher than Megan Thee Stallion. The reason? Radio play.
Still, even with this drop, "Cobra" doesn't come close to the biggest freefall from grace on the Hot 100. That dubious honor belongs to another female rapper.
FCK BILLBOARD, FCK RADIO
Y'all know I have always been critical of Billboard. I supported Rolling Stone's charts instead, hoping Billboard's chokehold on the music industry would lessen. Billboard's monopoly on charting is dangerous for music, especially Hip-Hop. Unfortunately, they're an evil that artists must deal with, and many succumb to the pressure to chase radio play and chart success.
But, if I were Megan Thee Stallion, I would continue to be the industry rebel she is. I'd be like Kendrick Lamar, not Drake. Meg needs to keep promoting "Cobra" like it's the number one song, and when she starts touring in 2024, make sure the stage performance is flawless – lighting, choreography, props, wardrobe, the whole works. No more high school bleachers in the background. Make radio feel stupid for not playing "Cobra."
Don't chase radio; make radio chase you.
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Megan's "Cobra" finally made it on a radio play chart because it went from 80 plays to 106 plays on Rhythmic Radio. Good Ole Chitlin Circuit...
It's ridiculous for someone with her streams and reviews to get so little radio play. But, it may just be because she is independent now, y'all see the Hot Girl Productions, and radio slots are mainly for major label artists. Independent artist can get play but it is just harder for them to get those slots. That is why people sign with majors to get those perks.
But, Megan gets all most of the money from her music now. Trade-offs.
So it's definitely sold 100k by now...good for her. Ms "princess of rap" jatavia took months to do that.
So she did 8.3 million streams. Not bad and I wasn’t expecting that. Meg should be proud. 1501 etc thought she needed them BUT she proved that she can hold her own weight AND that she’s worthy of major label backing. But like I said, the gp won’t hold this song up on streaming. She need a bop.