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"Stuck with U"
Cover art for "Stuck with U": a drawing of two people holding hands while inside a house. The song title, as well as Justin Bieber's and Ariana Grande's names, are written in pen
Single by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber
ReleasedMay 8, 2020 (2020-05-08)
Studio
Genre
Length3:48
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • Freddy Wexler
  • Gian Stone
  • Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande singles chronology
"Time"
(2020) 		"Stuck with U"
(2020) 		"Rain on Me"
(2020)
Justin Bieber singles chronology
"Lean on Me"
(2020) 		"Stuck with U"
(2020) 		"Holy"
(2020)
Music video
"Stuck with U" on YouTube

"Stuck with U" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande and Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It was released through Republic Records, Def Jam Recordings, and Silent Records Ventures as a single on May 8, 2020.[2] Both artists wrote the song alongside producers Freddy Wexler and Gian Stone alongside Whitney Phillips, their manager, Scooter Braun, and Skyler Stonestreet. Primarily a pop and R&B song, "Stuck with U" features elements of doo-wop. "Stuck with U" marks the second collaboration between Grande and Bieber, following their duet on the remix of the latter's chart-topping single, "What Do You Mean?"; the original song and remix both appear on his fourth studio album, Purpose (2015).

The song debuted atop the Billboard Hot 100, chart issue dated May 23, 2020, becoming Grande's third and Bieber's sixth U.S. number-one single.[3] In addition, both artists debut at number one on the chart for a third time each. The song also debuted at number one on the Rolling Stone Top 100, chart issue dated May 21, 2020, becoming Grande's second and Bieber's first number-one single.[4] It is certified double platinum by the RIAA. Internationally, The song also topped the charts in Canada, Lebanon, Malaysia, New Zealand, Israel, and Singapore; and reached the top-ten in 17 other countries. "Stuck with U" also won the award for Best Music Video From Home at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards and the award for Favorite Music Collaboration at the 2021 Kids' Choice Awards.[5][6] As of August 2021, the song has raised over $3.5 million for the First Responders Children's Foundation, going directly to thousands of first responders' families around the U.S.[7][8]

Background and cause

[edit]

On April 30, 2020, Bieber tweeted "Special announcement tomorrow at 10 am pst...", following which Grande also tweeted in anticipation of it. The next day, the artists took to their social media to announce the release of their song on May 8, 2020. It first premiered at 21:00 PDT on May 7, 2020.[9] All net proceeds from the track would be donated to the First Responders Children's Foundation.[2] A partnership negotiated by Up To More Good. The money would fund scholarships of children of frontline workers whose lives have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[10][11] During an ASCAP interview, co-writers Gian Stone and Whitney Phillips revealed that the song was originally meant to be a solo performance and that it was Grande's idea to turn it into a duet with Bieber.[12]

Composition

[edit]

Musically, "Stuck with U" is a '50s-influenced retro pop and R&B ballad[13][14][15] that contains elements of doo-wop music.[14] Lyrically, it is a "romantic" song about being grateful to spend time with a loved one.[13][14] "Stuck with U" was written in 6
8 time in the key of A♭ major, with a tempo of 60 beats per minute.[16] Grande's vocal range spans three octaves, from E♭3 to G♯6.

Critical reception

[edit]

Anna Gaca of Pitchfork stated "Stuck with U" is "merely serviceable as a pop song" but "a big upgrade from that other product of rich-people lockdown culture: the celebrities singing 'Imagine'. Instead of a bad take on a hoary classic, Grande and Bieber offer a new song with a pleasantly retro doo-wop vibe. Instead of Pollyannaish optimism, they sound a note of resignation."[17]

Commercial performance

[edit]

"Stuck with U" debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Bieber's sixth and Grande's third number one single. The song is also both Bieber's and Grande's third song to debut at number one, tying both artists with Mariah Carey and Drake for the most songs that debuted at number one. Grande later broke this tie with "Rain on Me" debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[18] Grande also became the first artist to have their first three number-ones debut at the top spot. The song sales was aided by a variety of physical/digital combination offerings during the tracking week, including copies autographed by Grande and Bieber. Consumers could also purchase cassette, CD and vinyl singles, each with a digital download. "Stuck With U" is also the third female-male duet in over a year since "Señorita" by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello and "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper to top the Hot 100.[3] The song also debuted at number one on the Digital Songs chart with 108,000 downloads, becoming the first song to crack over 100,000 downloads in the first week since "Me!" by Taylor Swift featuring Brendon Urie (193,000 downloads). The song is Grande's sixth chart-topper on the said chart, also Bieber's twelfth, surpassing Drake as the male artist with the most, and overall the third artist, behind Swift and Rihanna.[3][19] In its second week on the Hot 100, "Stuck with U" dropped to number 13.[20]

"Stuck with U" debuted at number two on the Irish Singles Chart, becoming Bieber's 20th and Grande's 15th top ten hit;[21] Bieber also becomes the artist with most top fifty hits in history of the said chart surpassing Eminem and Rihanna who have scored 52 each.[22]

"Stuck with U" debuted at number one on The Rolling Stone Top 100, becoming Bieber's first and Grande's second number one single. The song is also Grande's second song to debut at number one making her the first female artist to earn two number one debuts on the Rolling Stone 100 singles chart.[23]

Billboard Hot 100 controversy

[edit]

On the same day as the release of "Stuck with U", rapper 6ix9ine, who had been incarcerated but had earlier in the month been released to home confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, released his comeback single "Gooba", which debuted atop the Billboard Streaming Songs chart, and peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, on the week dated May 23, 2020.[3] The rapper took to social media afterwards to accuse Billboard of "chart manipulation" and accuse both Grande and Bieber of "buying" their way to number one on the chart.[24] In an Instagram post, 6ix9ine alleged that the artists used six credit cards to buy 30,000 copies of "Stuck with U" without providing evidence.[25] Grande and Bieber both denied the allegations.[24] Grande and Bieber's manager Scooter Braun would address 6ix9ine's claims that his streams didn't count, stating that "he [6ix9ine] is counting his global streams and this is a domestic chart so only domestic streams count". Braun also added that the last-minute disclosure of 60,000 units was the result of their team strategy to keep the numbers quiet until the end of the week, and pointed out that "using six credit cards to buy 30K" is impossible by stating "the rules are clear one credit card can buy max 4 copies".[26][27][28] Bieber defended Grande by reposting Braun's statement on Instagram stories adding that "this is my song with Ariana Grande and I'm honored to work with her to help raise money for a great cause. If you gonna say her name make sure you say mine because it's our song".[29][30]

6ix9ine made a subsequent video addressing Grande, in which he said he wasn't coming after her on a personal level but Billboard, despite his previous statements speculating against Grande and Bieber.[24]

Billboard's response

[edit]

Billboard released a statement on May 18, 2020, the same day 6ix9ine made the accusations, to explain the results. Billboard stated that 6ix9ine's "six credit cards" claim was inaccurate, as bulk purchases are recognized and removed from the final sales total. They also stated that the Hot 100 forecast he had referenced in an earlier Instagram post prior to the release of that week's chart reveal was not created by them and that they do not distribute any of their rankings to labels, management, or artist. About the discrepancy between YouTube's visible play count for "Gooba", over 180 million at that moment, and the number of streams Billboard counted for the song, 55.3 million, they explain "counts for a video on its YouTube page are for global plays, and absent any other auditing filters [...] Billboard counts only U.S. based plays for its charts."[31]

Music videos

[edit]

The accompanying music video was released on May 8, 2020, alongside the song's official release. It consists of clips sent in by young fans who would have attended prom in 2020 but are unable to do so due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as people who are stuck inside spending time with loved ones.[32] The video was directed Rory Kramer, Alfredo Flores, Grande, Bieber, and Braun. It also features shots of celebrities like Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Demi Lovato, 2 Chainz, Paula Abdul, Stephen and Ayesha Curry, Elizabeth Gillies, Gwyneth Paltrow, Eric Stonestreet, Chance the Rapper, Kate Hudson, Lil Dicky, GaTa, Sheel Mohnot, Michael Bublé, Jaden Smith, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, as well as Bieber with his wife Hailey Bieber. Grande used the video to reveal her new relationship. She was spotted embracing a man towards the end of the video, and a couple of seconds later the man was revealed to be Dalton Gomez, a real estate agent who eventually became Grande's husband before their divorce in 2024.[33][34]

Bieber also posted a lyric video with an animation of the house drawn in the cover.[35] The video was created by Katia Temkin and the artwork of the house was made by Liana Finck.[35] A fan-made Prom Scenes video that shows prom scenes from movies was released on Bieber's YouTube channel on May 9.[36] On May 11, he released a Mother's Day Edition of the music video.[37]

The music video earned two VMA nominations at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, for Best Collaboration and Best Music Video from Home, winning the latter.[38]

Accolades

[edit]
Awards and nominations for "Stuck with U"
Year Organization Award Result Ref(s)
2020 MTV Millennial Awards Brazil International Collaboration Nominated [39]
2020 MTV Video Music Awards Best Collaboration Nominated [40]
Best Music Video From Home Won
2020 People's Choice Awards Song of 2020 Nominated [41]
2021 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Music Collaboration Won [42]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits adapted from Tidal.[43]

  • Ariana Grande – vocals, songwriting, production, vocal production, engineering
  • Justin Bieber – vocals, songwriting
  • Gian Stone – production, songwriting, programming, engineering, guitar, keyboards, percussion
  • Freddy Wexler – additional production, songwriting, engineering, percussion, programming
  • Whitney Phillips – songwriting
  • Skyler Stonestreet – songwriting
  • Scooter Braun – songwriting
  • Bianca Atterberry – backing vocals
  • Kurt Thum – organ
  • Josh Gudwin – engineering, mixing, vocal production
  • Elijah Marrett-Hitch – assistant mixing
  • Billy Hickey – engineering
  • Devin Nakao – engineering
  • Jason Evigan – engineering
  • Lionel Crasta – engineering
  • Rafael Fadul – engineering
  • Randy Merrill – mastering

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Stuck with U"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[105] 4× Platinum 280,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria)[106] Gold 15,000‡
Belgium (BRMA)[107] Gold 20,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[108] 2× Diamond 320,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[109] 4× Platinum 320,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[110] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[111] Gold 100,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[112] Gold 35,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[113] 4× Platinum 120,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[114] Platinum 60,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[115] Platinum 50,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[116] Platinum 10,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[117] Platinum 60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[118] Platinum 600,000‡
United States (RIAA)[119] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡
Streaming
Japan (RIAJ)[120] Gold 50,000,000†
Sweden (GLF)[121] Platinum 8,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Stuck with U"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
Various May 8, 2020
[2]
United States May 11, 2020
  • Def Jam
  • Republic
 [122]
Various May 12, 2020
  • Def Jam
  • Republic
  • RBMG
 [123]
United States
  • Def Jam
  • Republic
 [124][125]
Italy May 15, 2020 Radio airplay Universal [126]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Stuck with U

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Stuck with U" is a pop duet by American singer Ariana Grande and Canadian singer Justin Bieber, released on May 8, 2020, as a charity single with all proceeds directed to the First Responders Children's Foundation to support families of first responders affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The track debuted at number one on the chart, marking Grande's fourth and Bieber's seventh chart-topping single, as well as their first collaborative number one; it was propelled by strong digital sales and streaming amid lockdowns that boosted demand for quarantine-themed music. By August 2021, "Stuck with U" had raised over $3.5 million for the foundation, demonstrating significant philanthropic impact from its commercial success. Its release sparked controversy when rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine accused the artists and their manager Scooter Braun of artificially inflating chart position through bulk purchases of 30,000 copies, though Grande, Bieber, and Braun denied the claims, asserting legitimate fan-driven sales and no wrongdoing.

Development and Production

Background and Inspiration

The collaboration for "Stuck with U" originated as a private initiative by Scooter Braun's SB Projects, which manages both and , announcing on May 1, 2020, that the artists—both aged 26 at the time—would release their first duet to support relief efforts. This artist-driven project contrasted with government-mandated shutdowns that had begun in March 2020 across much of the and globally, imposing widespread stay-at-home orders and restricting movement to curb virus transmission. SB Projects committed all proceeds from streams and sales to the First Responders Children's Foundation, funding grants and scholarships for children of frontline workers, ultimately raising over $3.5 million by 2021. The song's concept drew directly from the dynamics of the early , framing enforced proximity in relationships as an opportunity for connection rather than mere restriction. Lockdowns empirically increased time spent together for cohabiting couples, with documenting a sharp rise in shared home hours due to and isolation measures, which in some cases fostered new routines and relational closeness amid the crisis. This voluntary creative response highlighted individual agency in addressing hardships, bypassing state programs to channel private resources toward affected families.

Composition and Songwriting

"Stuck with U" is classified as a pop and R&B incorporating elements, characterized by its retro '50s-inspired production and harmonious vocal interplay. The track is composed in with a 6/8 and a of 90 beats per minute (dotted ), creating a swaying, mid-tempo groove suitable for its intimate format. Structurally, it features alternating solo verses—Grande delivering the first in her higher register, followed by Bieber's lower-toned second verse—before converging into shared choruses where their voices blend in tight , emphasizing mutual reliance through layered ad-libs and call-and-response phrasing. Lyrically, the song explores themes of unexpected commitment within a relationship, contrasting habitual nonchalance with enforced proximity, as evidenced in lines like "I'm not one to stick around / One strike and you're out, baby / But I'm ," which highlight a shift from independence to interdependence. This narrative arc builds empirically from verse confessions of relational to chorus affirmations of , supported by repetitive motifs of pictorial and shared isolation that underscore causal bonds formed under constraint. Songwriting credits are attributed to , , Skyler Stonestreet, Whitney Phillips, Scott Braun, Gian Stone, and , reflecting collaborative input on , , and without delineated individual roles in public records.

Recording and Credits

The recording of "Stuck with U" occurred during the early in spring , utilizing remote collaboration enabled by digital and audio software, as in-person studio sessions were curtailed by travel restrictions and mandates. recorded her vocals from her home studio in , while contributed from , where he had returned amid the pandemic; this setup minimized physical interactions while maintaining production efficiency through cloud-based exchanges of stems and tracks. Primary production was led by , , and , who handled programming, keyboards, drums, and bass via synthesized elements with minimal live instrumentation, such as organ by Kurt Thum. Vocal production involved Josh Gudwin and herself, with engineering credits including Billy Hickey, Devin Nakao, , Gian Stone, Nicolas de la Vega, and Tommy Brown for tracking and editing. Mixing was completed by at MixStar Studios in , assisted by Jon Castelli, emphasizing a polished, pop-oriented sound through digital processing rather than extensive live overdubs.
RolePersonnel
Producers, ,
Additional Producer, Gian Stone
Vocal ProducersJosh Gudwin,
Mixing Engineer
Recording EngineersBilly Hickey, Devin Nakao, , Gian Stone, Nicolas de la Vega, Tommy Brown
InstrumentsKeyboards, drums, bass (programmed by producers); organ (Kurt Thum)
This remote process highlighted cost-effective innovation, reducing overhead from studio rentals and travel while delivering a commercially viable track in under two months from inception to release.

Release and Promotion

Announcement and Charity Initiative

On May 1, 2020, and teased the upcoming release of their collaborative single "Stuck with U" through posts, announcing it as a charity track set for digital release on May 8, 2020. The initiative was spearheaded by SB Projects, the management firm representing both artists, with all net proceeds from streams and sales directed to the First Responders Children's Foundation (FRCF). The announcement specified that funds would support FRCF's programs providing and scholarships to children of affected by the , including those who lost parents in the or faced financial hardships. FRCF, a private nonprofit, focuses on direct financial aid such as one-time hardship up to $2,500 for child-care needs and bereavement support, alongside academic scholarships awarded based on financial need, merit, and leadership, without reliance on public funding. This private-sector effort highlighted voluntary contributions from music industry revenues to supplement family support amid pandemic-related disruptions to households.

Official Release Details

"Stuck with U" was released as a digital single on May 8, 2020, at midnight Eastern Time. The track was distributed through in association with and Silent Records Ventures, LLC. It became available for streaming on major platforms such as and , alongside options for digital download purchase. No physical formats were produced for the initial rollout, emphasizing digital accessibility during the early period. The release aligned with a charity initiative, directing net proceeds to the First Responders Children's Foundation, though the song remained accessible on streaming services beyond the donation period without enforced exclusivity or removal. Promotion included direct announcements from the artists' official accounts, coinciding with immediate spikes in global listener engagement on digital platforms.

Music Videos and Visuals

The official music video for "Stuck with U" premiered on May 8, 2020, presenting a montage of celebrity couples staging informal prom-like "dates" within their homes to reflect adaptations to COVID-19 isolation measures. Footage includes Justin Bieber dancing with Hailey Bieber in formal attire, Ariana Grande sharing a slow dance with then-boyfriend Dalton Gomez, and other pairs such as Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis preparing a home-cooked meal, alongside appearances by Kourtney Kardashian with Travis Barker, Kylie Jenner, and Demi Lovato. Participants filmed their own segments remotely, bypassing traditional on-set production due to lockdown restrictions, which resulted in a low-budget aesthetic centered on domestic settings rather than staged extravagance. This self-directed approach highlighted pragmatic adjustments to constraints, with couples incorporating everyday props like balloons and dresses to mimic traditions without external crews or locations. The video's structure prioritized fan accessibility through familiar celebrity pairings in unpolished, quarantine-compliant vignettes, avoiding depictions of unrestricted social gatherings. Directed in collaboration by and others via submitted clips, it underscored the era's shift toward decentralized content creation. An accompanying lyric video, uploaded to YouTube on May 7, 2020, featured animated text overlays against visuals evoking homebound routines, such as shadowed figures in windows and static indoor scenes symbolizing confinement. By mid-2021, the official video had accumulated over 500 million views on YouTube, with the lyric video adding more than 300 million, reflecting sustained digital engagement amid restricted live performances. These visuals collectively emphasized isolation's realities through contained, participant-led formats, aligning production with contemporaneous protocols.

Reception

Critical Response

"Stuck with U" received mixed reviews from music critics, who generally acknowledged its smooth production and vocal interplay between and while faulting its lack of originality and emotional depth as a pop track. Pitchfork's Anna Gaca characterized the song as merely "serviceable" pop that cleared a low threshold compared to other celebrity-driven lockdown efforts, praising its mid-tempo groove and harmonious choruses but noting it prioritized pleasantness over substance. Similarly, Stereogum's Tom Breihan described it as an "unmemorable" of vintage slow-dance ballads, highlighting Grande's powerful delivery and the track's inoffensive fluff but critiquing the phoned-in structure, absence of vocal chemistry, and disposable feel despite the artists' talents. Critics often tied the song's appeal to its pandemic-era release on , 2020, viewing the quarantine-themed and virtual production as timely gestures rather than artistic triumphs. While some, like contributors, commended its catchy hooks and seamless dynamic in it among Grande's stronger collaborations, others dismissed it as formulaic and quickly forgettable, evaporating from relevance after its chart peak. This consensus underscores a track strong in technical execution—featuring polished synths, steady 6/8 rhythm, and layered harmonies—but weak in innovation, failing to transcend standard pop conventions or sustain a as a defining " " beyond initial goodwill.

Public and Commercial Reception

Upon its release on May 8, 2020, "Stuck with U" garnered significant audience engagement through , with fans submitting home videos of couples dancing and singing along, which were incorporated into the official as a nod to isolation. initiated a #StuckWithUChallenge on , prompting users to create content recreating the song's choreography from settings, amplifying viral spread among younger demographics. This fan-driven participation reflected escapism amid restrictions, with public discourse framing the track's theme of relational commitment as a lighthearted to real-world strains like tensions, though some online reactions highlighted toward its idealized portrayal of "stuck" partnerships. The charity aspect drew appreciation for directing net proceeds to the First Responders Children's Foundation, supporting families of frontline workers, which aligned with the song's timing during heightened awareness and boosted initial listener turnout. However, pockets of emerged, accusing the release of by leveraging sentiment for promotion, with observers noting the duet's alignment with artists' career interests despite its benevolent framing. Commercially, the track experienced an immediate streaming surge, accumulating 28.1 million U.S. streams in its debut tracking week ending May 14, 2020, fueled by pre-release hype, cross-fanbase mobilization from Bieber and Grande's audiences, and the novelty of a collaborative event single. This early momentum, however, tapered quickly post-launch, indicative of transient interest tied to the one-off charity context rather than sustained organic play. Fanbase dynamics introduced mild polarization, as dedicated supporters of each artist celebrated the pairing while others expressed indifference or preference for solo work, though overall reception leaned positive due to the humanitarian angle.

Chart Performance and Sales

Domestic Charts

"Stuck with U" debuted at number one on the for the chart issue dated May 23, 2020, marking the first collaboration between and to reach the summit. In its debut tracking week ending May 14, 2020, the song generated 28.1 million on-demand U.S. streams, 108,000 digital downloads, and 26.3 million in radio airplay audience impressions, securing the top spot amid competition from 6ix9ine's "." These figures reflected a strong initial lift from the track's surprise release as a charity single, with proceeds benefiting the Children’s Foundation, though its one-off nature—lacking extensive traditional promotion during the —contributed to limited longevity. The song held number one for one week before plummeting to number 13 in its second week, one of the steepest drops from the Hot 100 pinnacle in chart history at that time. It exited the top 10 entirely by the third week, underscoring the transient boost from digital sales and streaming tied to its philanthropic rather than enduring radio play or album synergy. On component charts, "Stuck with U" launched at number one on Digital Song Sales with 108,000 units, the strongest digital debut of 2020 up to that point. It also entered Streaming Songs at number four, driven by the 28.1 million streams, but radio airplay provided only modest support without a sustained push to higher positions on the Radio Songs chart. As a standalone single, it did not register on the Billboard 200, which prioritizes album-equivalent units over individual track performance.

International Charts and Certifications

"Stuck with U" reached number one on the Canadian Hot 100, debuting at the top on the chart dated May 30, 2020, and marking the first collaboration between Grande and Bieber to top the Canadian singles chart. In , the track debuted at number three on the Singles Chart in the issue dated May 18, 2020, becoming Grande's highest-charting single there at the time and Bieber's seventh top-ten entry. On the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at number four, accumulating 16 weeks on the chart and contributing to Bieber's streak of collaborative successes in the region. The song earned certifications reflecting strong streaming and sales performance abroad. In the , the (BPI) awarded it status for 600,000 equivalent units, as reported in industry tracking up to 2024. Australia's ARIA certified it , denoting 70,000 units shipped, with the accolade confirmed in official listings. In , granted certification, equivalent to 80,000 units, underscoring its dominance north of the U.S. border.
CountryPeak PositionCertificationCertifying Body
Canada1Platinum (80,000 units)Music Canada
Australia3Platinum (70,000 units)ARIA
United Kingdom4Platinum (600,000 units)BPI

Sales and Streaming Data

In its tracking week ending May 14, , "Stuck with U" recorded 108,000 digital download sales in the United States, marking the strongest pure sales debut for a single in up to that point. The song also generated 28.1 million on-demand audio and video streams domestically during the same period, reflecting an initial consumption spike driven by the artists' established fanbases and the track's timely charity tie-in. By mid-June 2020, cumulative U.S. figures reached 137,000 digital sales and 88.2 million on-demand streams, indicating a post-debut tapering consistent with patterns for non-album singles lacking broader promotional cycles or longevity beyond hype. The certified the single on September 17, 2021, equivalent to 500,000 units comprising sales, track-equivalent albums, and streaming-equivalent albums under their methodology (where 1,500 streams approximate one sale). Globally, "Stuck with U" exceeded 1 billion streams on by early 2021, with totals surpassing 1.3 billion as of late 2025; the official alone amassed over 259 million views by mid-2025. These metrics underscore a front-loaded consumption profile, where approximately 80% of units derived from streaming and 20% from pure sales in early tracking, aligning with industry shifts toward streaming dominance for pop collaborations.

Controversies

Billboard Hot 100 Dispute

On May 18, 2020, rapper alleged via Live that and had fraudulently purchased 30,000 units of "Stuck with U" using six credit cards in the final hour of the tracking period to secure the summit and displace his single . He asserted this constituted chart manipulation enabled by , further claiming the organization had unlawfully disqualified 20 million streams from out of over 50 million reported. These accusations portrayed the chart outcome as rigged favoritism toward established artists, unsubstantiated by independent evidence at the time or since. In contrast, industry reporting revealed irregularities in 6ix9ine's own metrics, including artificially inflated video views for "" via tactics such as bot farms and coordinated viewing parties, which routinely audits and excludes under its streaming rules. "" legitimately debuted at number one on the Hot 100 chart dated May 23, 2020 (tracking May 15–21), accumulating 33.3 million on-demand streams, 108,000 digital downloads, and minimal airplay to surpass competitors. "," despite raw streaming volume exceeding 200 million across platforms per 6ix9ine's public data, entered at number 19 after deductions for anomalous activity, aligning with 's methodology of partnering with digital service providers to filter fraud like repetitive bot streams or suspicious spikes. Billboard's protocols, detailed in guidelines, emphasize empirical validation of consumption to prevent artificial , a standard applied impartially; no verified irregularities were reported for "Stuck with U," while 6ix9ine's campaign drew for promotional stunts mimicking paid . The dispute highlighted tensions between unproven manipulation narratives and verifiable anti-fraud measures, with 6ix9ine's claims amplifying his promotional amid his post-incarceration release but failing to alter the certified rankings.

Artist and Industry Responses

Ariana Grande denied allegations of chart manipulation on on May 18, 2020, stating that her fans purchased the song with no more than four copies per person in accordance with rules, emphasizing that sales outweigh streams in the Hot 100 formula and urging critics to recognize the legitimacy of such purchases rather than discrediting them. echoed this on Stories around the same date, noting that Nielsen had verified all sales as legitimate due to organic fan activity and rejecting claims that undermined their supporters' efforts. Their manager, , supported the denials on , explaining that Billboard's audits discard any purchases exceeding four units per credit card to prevent bulk buying, with all transactions requiring unique IP verification for validity. This transparency aligned with Nielsen's independent monitoring, which confirmed "Stuck with U" generated 108,000 pure without artificial inflation, contrasting with unverified bulk claims. Billboard defended its methodology in a May 18, 2020, explainer, attributing "Stuck with U"'s No. 1 debut to a verifiable spike from signed merchandise bundles—a standard practice previously charted—while weighting metrics as (primary), radio airplay, and , yielding 28.1 million U.S. and 108,000 for the track against ""'s 55.3 million but only 24,000 . The body upheld the results post-audit, enforcing rules against excessive plays, non-U.S. , and bulk to ensure causal integrity over unproven accusations, though it highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities in streaming platforms to undetected manipulation via coordinated IP patterns or bots elsewhere in the industry.

Legacy and Impact

Accolades and Awards

"Stuck with U" earned accolades primarily in categories tied to its remote production during the and its collaborative nature. At the , the song's won Best Music Video from Home, a new category recognizing content created under pandemic restrictions without in-person filming; the video featured celebrity cameos submitted virtually, emphasizing its innovative quarantine-era approach. It was also nominated for Best Collaboration at the same event, competing against tracks like Machine Gun Kelly's "Bloody Valentine." The track received further fan-voted recognition at the 2021 , winning Favorite Music Collaboration, highlighting its appeal to younger audiences amid strong streaming performance. It was nominated for Song of 2020 at the 2020 , where public voting favored hits like "WAP" by featuring as the winner. These honors reflect empirical metrics like video views and collaboration impact rather than broad critical acclaim for songwriting or artistry, with no major nominations in song-of-the-year categories at events like the or Grammys.

Charitable Contributions

"Stuck with U" was released with all net proceeds from streaming, sales, and video views donated to the Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit supporting families of and healthcare workers impacted by the . By August 2021, the single had generated over $3.5 million for the foundation, enabling direct financial assistance without reliance on public fiscal mechanisms. The donation structure committed 100% of net profits post-release to the charity, as confirmed by the artists' management and the foundation, allowing for streamlined transfer of funds derived from commercial performance. This model's transparency is supported by the foundation's annual audited , which detail revenue inflows and expenditures, providing verifiable accountability absent in many larger-scale public relief distributions. Funds were allocated to targeted initiatives, including scholarships for children of fallen or ill first responders, emergency housing for quarantine needs, and coverage of funeral expenses related to COVID-19 losses, delivering precise aid to over 200 families in the initial phase. This approach exemplified private philanthropy's capacity for rapid, low-overhead intervention, circumventing the delays and overhead associated with government-administered programs that often involve protracted allocation processes and higher administrative costs. By focusing on verifiable, need-specific outcomes, the effort underscored an alternative to broad fiscal stimuli, where empirical reviews have highlighted inefficiencies such as unspent allocations and fraud vulnerabilities in pandemic-era public spending.

Cultural and Long-Term Significance

"Stuck with U" served as an emblematic release amid the of 2020, encapsulating the enforced domesticity of through portraying relational intimacy as a silver lining to isolation, rather than a source of collective grievance. Produced remotely by and on May 8, 2020, the track highlighted early logistical adaptations in the music industry, such as virtual recording sessions necessitated by protocols. Its cultural endurance, however, has been markedly transient, with radio airplay peaking during its initial chart run—debuting at number one on the for one week before declining—and showing no evidence of prolonged rotation beyond 2020. The song has garnered a modest array of covers, including acoustic renditions by artists like Andie Case featuring Jonny Koch and Sapphire (UK), as well as a Kids version, but these largely date to 2020-2021 and lack broader reinterpretations or sampling in later works. Long-term significance manifests primarily in its role as a precursor to normalized remote collaborations, a practice the rendered standard across genres, though empirical indicators of direct influence remain sparse. Post-2020 engagements are infrequent, confined to analyses framing it as a artifact rather than a revived staple, underscoring its disposability as an event-tied novelty despite charitable origins. Thematically, its focus on personal agency in adversity—finding contentment in partnership amid restrictions—stands apart from predominant media portrayals of pandemic-induced victimhood, aligning with resilient over systemic lament.

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