Drake has weighed in on Billboard’s decision to bring YouTube streams back into its chart calculations in 2027, and his reaction suggests he is far from impressed. The rapper addressed the announcement on his Instagram Story, writing: “Wtf this game so cooked.”
His brief response comes just days after Billboard confirmed a major update to its chart methodology, ending YouTube’s year-long absence from the rankings. Beginning in January 2027, streams from the platform will once again contribute to the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard 200 and other charts, following an agreement between Billboard and YouTube.
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The revised system will also change how subscription-based and advertising-supported streams are weighted. Billboard plans to narrow the ratio between premium and ad-supported streams from 1:2.5 to 1:1.5, giving free, ad-supported listening greater influence over chart positions. Premium streams will continue to carry more weight, but the difference between the two categories will be considerably smaller.
The decision follows a dispute that led YouTube to withdraw its streaming data from Billboard in January 2026. The platform announced its departure in December 2025, arguing that the existing methodology did not adequately recognize the role of free streaming and music videos in how audiences discover and consume music. YouTube maintained that every fan and every play should count, regardless of whether a listener pays for a subscription.
Throughout 2026, YouTube views and streams were consequently excluded from the relevant Billboard chart calculations. The platform has now confirmed its return, saying the updated methodology better reflects how fans engage with music across subscription and ad-supported services.
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