Levitating (Remix)

DaBaby’s Credit On Dua Lipa’s ‘Levitating’ Has Been Removed From Some ‘Billboard’ Charts

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When last week’s Billboard charts were released, the publication noted that Dua Lipa’s DaBaby-featuring remix of “Levitating” saw a decrease in radio plays following the rapper’s recent controversy. The publication noted, “On July 25, 71% of its plays was via the remix; on July 29, the last day of the tracking week, the share dropped to 59%.” Now, it appears that share has fallen even further, as DaBaby is no longer credited on the song as it appears on Billboard‘s airplay charts this week (dated August 14).

A similar credit change happened last year when Nicki Minaj was removed from the Hot 100 listing for Doja Cat’s “Say So.” At the time, Billboard explained, “After two weeks of Minaj showing as a featured artist on ‘Say So’ on the Hot 100 and other charts that utilize the same methodology, only Doja Cat is now listed, as the original version, without Minaj, is now driving the majority of overall activity for the song; the change does not affect any of Minaj’s achievements on those charts the past two weeks, and she continues not to be credited on the song on any airplay charts, as the vast majority of the song’s airplay is still for the original version.”

The DaBaby version of the song is still doing on other charts, though: On this week’s Hot 100, it rose from No. 4 to No. 3, just one spot away from its all-time peak.

Dua Lipa is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The DaBaby Remix Of Dua Lipa’s ‘Levitating’ Is Still Near The Top Of The Charts Despite Fewer Radio Plays

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The backlash to DaBaby’s controversial HIV/AIDS comments at Rolling Loud a couple weekends ago (for which he only just apologized today) has been severe, as he’s been dropped from multiple festival lineups and dragged by many of his peers in music. Dua Lipa, who recruited DaBaby to join her on the “Levitating” remix, said she was “surprised and horrified” by the things DaBaby said on stage.

Since the controversy, music curators have started phasing the DaBaby version of “Levitating” off of playlists and radio airplay, but in spite of that, the song is still doing quite well on the charts. On the new Hot 100 dated August 7, the “Levitating” remix is at No. 5, a slight drop from its spot at No. 3 last week. The Rolling Loud incident happened on July 25, which was a few days into the tracking week reflected on the latest chart, July 23 to 29.

Billboard reports that remix saw a 12-percent drop in plays compared to the solo version of the song last week, noting, “On July 25, 71% of its plays was via the remix; on July 29, the last day of the tracking week, the share dropped to 59%.”

If the solo version of “Levitating” ends up becoming the most prominent version of the song in terms of charting activity, it is possible for DaBaby’s credit to be removed from “Levitating” as it appears on the Hot 100 and other charts. A similar thing happened last year when Nicki Minaj was removed from the Hot 100 listing for Doja Cat’s “Say So.” Billboard explained at the time, “After two weeks of Minaj showing as a featured artist on ‘Say So’ on the Hot 100 and other charts that utilize the same methodology, only Doja Cat is now listed, as the original version, without Minaj, is now driving the majority of overall activity for the song; the change does not affect any of Minaj’s achievements on those charts the past two weeks, and she continues not to be credited on the song on any airplay charts, as the vast majority of the song’s airplay is still for the original version.”

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Dua Lipa Said DaBaby’s Comments About HIV/AIDs ‘Surprised And Horrified’ Her

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This weekend at Rolling Loud, DaBaby made some questionable comments from the festival stage that reeked of homophobia. After fans on the internet began to react to his stigma of HIV/AIDS, the rapper went on an Instagram stories tirade, doubling down on his strangely ignorant stance. Fans were irritated with his messiness, and immediately dubbed in a Megan Thee Stallion verse on his hit remix of Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” replacing DaBaby as quickly as they could.

Now, Dua Lipa herself has weighed in on the situation, letting her fans know that she’s personally “surprised and horrified” by the rappers comments. “I’m surprised and horrified,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories today. “I know my fans know where my heart lies and that I stand 100 percent with the LGBTQ community. We need to come together to fight the stigma and ignorance around HIV/AIDS.”

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Listen, since there’s already been not one but two remixes of “Levitating” — the now defunct one with DaBaby, and the Club Future Nostalgia version with Madonna and Missy Elliott — it’s time to make a third. Give the fans what they want, replace DaBaby with a verse from Megan on a brand new version. And then all the proceeds to go the ACLU to help combat ignorance on the subject. It’s a perfect plan.