This is the first documented instance I've seen of this particular narrative. .. sure it's an evolution of the old tried and true "somebody sold more than I wished they did, so the label bought it " trope, but innovative nonetheless
Haha I'm an innovator. I don't really care what Drake sold I'm not actively rooting against him and I like his music, but in most cases the people who are selling a lot of records are having the numbers manipulated in their favor, I'd say that about any artist whether I'm a fan or not.
I swear the new marketing plan with albums dropping out of nowhere and relying on word of mouth is to then take the money that was traditionally used for marketing and buy up albums. Again if that is happening I'd say that holds true for any artist that used the drop out of nowhere strategy, instead of trying to convince the masses an artist is nice through traditional marketing just "prove it" with huge sales numbers.