DJ Akademiks Compares NAV’s Sales Controversy to Travis Scott and Playboi Carti’s Bundle Disputes

NAV’s latest album, OMW2 REXDALE, has sparked a heated debate over Billboard’s sales tracking after the Toronto rapper’s projected numbers took a major hit. Initially expected to be the highest-charting hip-hop debut of the week, surpassing Lil Durk’s Deep Thoughts, NAV’s first-week sales were ultimately adjusted, with Billboard disqualifying over 60,000 units.

DJ Akademiks, known for his industry analysis, took to his livestream to investigate the situation. While he admitted that his sources might not be entirely accurate, he compared NAV’s predicament to past sales controversies involving Travis Scott’s ASTROWORLD and Playboi Carti’s MUSIC. However, Akademiks clarified that NAV’s situation is different, as it does not involve merchandise bundles but rather new Billboard policies introduced on February 28.

The Breakdown of NAV’s First-Week Sales

According to Akademiks, projections initially estimated OMW2 REXDALE would sell between 70,000 and 83,000 units in its first week. The majority of these sales reportedly came from digital purchases on NAV’s private website. However, Billboard discounted these sales, slashing the official count to just 19,000 units.

The primary reason for this drastic reduction appears to be pricing. Billboard has set a minimum price threshold for album sales to count on their charts, and OMW2 REXDALE allegedly sold below that amount. Additionally, the organization has tightened regulations around private website sales, as they are harder to monitor for compliance with chart rules, such as purchase limits per user and other factors that prevent artificial inflation of numbers.

The Role of Labels and Chart Manipulation

Akademiks also speculated about the role of labels in shaping sales narratives. While he praised NAV’s label, XO, for being an “amazing team,” he suggested that record labels in general might attempt to boost first-week numbers to create the illusion of a strong debut. This strategy, he explained, could build momentum for sustained streaming success in the following weeks.

Despite the controversy, NAV’s fanbase remains engaged, and discussions surrounding his album continue to dominate online conversations. Whether Billboard’s new policies will impact future album releases remains to be seen, but the OMW2 REXDALE situation highlights ongoing tensions between artists, labels, and chart authorities.