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Bite me! How Apple’s download chart became a new battleground for pop – and politics

Song downloads are increasingly outdated – except as a tool for fiercely warring fans of artists such as Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj

Last week, at least five songs rose to the upper reaches of the Apple Music (formerly iTunes) download charts, powered by different internet factions. “This [downloading] is a purely performative gesture – it only ever happens as a result of some kind of factional culture war that somebody has the money and inclination to try to represent on the charts.” Shapiro’s song, naturally, is part of an attempt to “own the libs”; Spears fans see their trolling of Timberlake as a kind of punishment for his perceived mistreatment of the singer when they dated, and for the unapologetic pose he has since adopted.

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