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A pro-Trump rapper’s new single demanding consumers boycott Target has shot to number one on iTunes’ Top Ten Chart – beating out artists like Taylor Swift in the process.
Meanwhile, the Florida man behind the song’s historic ascension, alt-right emcee Forgiato Blow, has continued to accuse the music platform of purposely putting a clamp on the song’s progress due to its conservative message.
Titled Boycott Target, the two-minute track comes in direct response to the superstore’s newly announced Pride Collection.
Moreover, it features lyrics that accuse the stalwart department store of attempting to instill an LGBTQ ‘agenda’ with their aggressive clothing campaign – which itself touts several polarizing items such as a ‘tuck-friendly’ bathing suits to stash wearers’ private parts and pro-trans T-shirts for kids.
In the midst of a meteoric – and unlikely – rise that has already likely seen him secure well over $1million, Blow appeared for an interview to decry iTunes for what he alleged is censorship, while taking the time to offer some choice words to brass responsible for the progressive push.
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Titled Boycott Target, the two-minute song from Florida rapper Forgiato Blow (at front) is currently experiencing an unlikely rise, after its release four days ago in response to the superstore’s new Pride Collection exhibits
The song’s meteoric ascent has seen it beat out heavily backed artists such as Taylor Swift and Luke Combs – all in a mere four days
Since the displays were unveiled this month, Target has lost billions in market capitalization in a matter of days, as customers continue to swear off its products over the Pride-themed rollout
‘It’s shadow-banned all over the world right now,’ Blow told outspoken anchor Brian Kilmeade Monday, using terminology that refers to a certain form of censorship that see a user’s content blocked from part or all of an online forum without warning.
Utilized in the past by big name platforms such as Twitter and YouTube amid a recent rise in heated political discourse – often to mixed results – is a known stealthy strategy platforms limit posts’ visibility.
Speaking with Kilmeade during the day’s Fox and Friends broadcast, Blow elaborated on what he believes to be a conspiracy concocted by the Apple-operated application – despite his song already topping iTunes’ Hip Hop chart at the time, and standing at the number-two spot on the platform’s hallowed all-genre list.
‘You can’t even search the song on iTunes without going to the music video and clicking the external link,’ Blow claimed.
‘They’re trying their hardest to keep it off the radar.’
Shortly after the televised interview, the track’s popularity continued to burgeon – propelling it to the overall No.1 spot around midday Tuesday.
As it stands, the song – released with an accompanying music video filmed in an actual Target store – is beating out high-profile releases from artists such as Swift, 33, Lil Durk, and country star Luke Combs, and has amassed millions of downloads.
That said, iTunes once outsized popularity has waned in recent years amid the advent of streaming, as well as an outdated a la carte purchase model where users pay per purchase.
Still, the service charges $1.29 for most songs, Blow’s included – with each purchase providing the artist somewhere between 60 and 70 cents in royalties.
Less than a week since the song’s May 25 release, Blow is on track to take home a quite the sum – with royalties reportedly paid out to artists promptly and with each purchase.
In the midst of a meteoric – and unlikely – rise that has already seen him secure well over $1million, Blow appeared for an interview to decry iTunes for alleged censorship, while taking the time to offer some choice words to brass responsible for the recent progressive push
As it stands, the song – released with an accompanying music video filmed in an actual Target store – is beating out high-profile singles from artists such as Swift, 33, and Lil Durk, and has amassed millions of downloads
The video, also released Saturday, has already been viewed more than a quarter of a million times on YouTube
In it, Blow also references the recent Bud Light boycott – after releasing a less successful song about it earlier in the year
‘It’s shadow-banned all over the world right now,’ Blow told Brian Kilmeade Monday, using terminology that refers to a certain form of censorship that occurs without warning. He also chided Target for sending messages to kids he feels are inappropriate with the new campaign
As for the song itself, it shot to the number-six spot almost immediately after its release on Friday, and has since continued to perform – casting some doubt on the rapper’s censorship claims.
Speaking to Kilmeade Monday, Blow – whose real name is Kurt Jantz but goes by ‘Trumps [sic] Nephew’ on Twitter – revealed his outspoken support for the former president has already seen him banned from Instagram and Facebook indefinitely.
‘I had my free speech ripped from me,’ he recalled during what ended up being a five-minute sitdown.
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‘A lifetime ban on Instagram, a lifetime ban on Facebook for speaking positivity.’
He added of the alleged liberal-led agenda meant to hinder his current success: ‘You know, when I was an artist before this… they didn’t care if I rapped about negativity and demonizing America.’
The artist proceeded to lay out what part the Minneapolis-based megachain’s recent LGBT-themed release he has taken issue with – pointing specifically to the items marketed toward children.
‘We’re living in a culture right now where people need to speak out,’ Blow said of the new song, which adds to an oeuvre of tracks that includes this year’s ‘Fock Bud LIght’, 2022’s Burn Balenciaga, and a tune from his debut album All Eyez on Maga creatively titled Trump Train.
‘We need to stand up for the children,’ the relatively unknown rapper insisted.
The Pride collection also includes items for babies and children – items Blow has taken issue with specifically. Many of the pieces are emblazoned with slogans and feature the rainbow colors of the Pride flag
A ‘tuck-friendly’ swimsuit to stash wearers’ private parts, meanwhile, is sold online for $40 in the adults section. Target has been asked to clarify claims the item is also available for children
The swimsuits, which appear in sections set up for Pride month in June, include a label which advertises the ‘tuck-friendly construction’ and ‘extra crotch’ coverage. The design is made to help conceal a person’s private parts
Seen here is a $25 slogan sweater – part of Target’s Pride Collection – emblazoned with the words ‘cure transphobia not trans people’
One of the most controversial items was this adult swim bottom, in the women’s section, that had ‘tuck friendly’ tags in stores. It is still being sold online
Target said it decided to pull the items from shelves because they have ‘been at the center of the most confrontational behavior’ – and have led to store staffers being harassed
Target, meanwhile has lost more than $10billion in market capitalization since coming under scrutiny for its latest LGBTQ-themed rollout – for which it continues to face backlash
Blow has dozens of other songs on iTunes, though none nearly as popular as his unexpected hit.
He also has several songs on YouTube – where his username is ‘Mayor of Magaville’ -including the aforementioned boycott ballad ‘FOCK BUD LIGHT.’
The Anheuser-Busch-owned brand recently distanced itself from transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, following a disastrous failed partnership that saw customers across the country swear off the country’s most purchased beer.
In the video for Boycott Target, Blow cleverly references this recent occurrence – by carrying several cases of the beverage in the nondescript Target store.
‘We’re obviously shifting the culture,’ the rapper claimed on Fox Monday of his pointed, political releases. ‘We’re waking people up, letting them know that, hey, you don’t have just to follow the crowd.’
He added: ‘You can stand on your own and be a leader, not a follower.’
Target, meanwhile has lost more than $10billion in market capitalization since coming under scrutiny for its latest LGBTQ-themed rollout – for which it continues to face backlash.
Prior to the controversy, Target shares were trading at $160.96, giving the retailer a market valuation of roughly $74.3billion.
Today, the blue-chip stock was trading at around $137 – marking a loss of roughly $10.2billion.
The sum stands as the superstore’s lowest market value in an entire year – all achieved in a matter of days.
In a statement last week, Target – led by CEO Brian Cornell – announced the company had pulled some items that have ‘been at the center of the most confrontational behavior.’
The company did not specify which items had been taken off-shelves – but has since confirmed that it will move some its Pride section to the back of several stores, chiefly in the rural south.
As of Tuesday, though many of the swimsuits, onesies and t-shirts that sparked outrage remain available online – and consumers like Blow are continuing to boycott the superstore.
Likening the recent touting of LGBT campaigns by big brands to the blind support the Black Lives Matter movement received in 2020 following the death of George Floyd, Blow said “I feel like in the 2020 election there was, you know, the agenda was BLM… now for the new election… it’s going to be LGBTQ.’
‘And if you’re not with them, they’re going to ruin you anyways.’
The song, meanwhile, is trending online – and as of Tuesday at 5pm, was still enjoying its spot at the top of the iTunes top 100 chart.
