Prince's streaming music catalog now only on Tidal, Google All Access, absent from Apple Music [u]
Although Prince's music is missing from major on-demand streaming services including Apple Music, Rdio, and Spotify, the pop artist's catalog is on at least two of them -- Tidal and Google Play Music All Access, according to reports. [Updated]
So far Prince's publisher has not offered an explanation about Tidal, Billboard said. As a result it's unclear if Prince is in a specific contract deal or simply prefers that service's terms.
Although Apple is believed to be offering rights holders royalty terms equal or better than its main rival, Spotify, Tidal has made high royalties one of its main marketing points, arguing that artists deserve to be paid properly. The music industry as a whole has been shifting from CDs and downloads to streaming subscriptions, forcing musicians to adapt to new ways of making money.
Partly because of financial arrangements and its owner, rapper Jay-Z, Tidal has been able to secure a variety of exclusive releases. Apple, too, has scored some exclusives, such as Taylor Swift's 1989 album, and the Pharrell Williams single "Freedom." Spotify's offerings have included things like original running music and its regular Spotify Sessions with major acts.
Prince has been generally resistant to digital music, arguing that it doesn't sound as good to him. Listeners can buy Prince tracks from places such as the iTunes Store, but some albums have been distributed through unconventional means like newspapers, and his team has sought to pull almost all YouTube videos with his music, even clips where songs are only on in the background.
Another exception to his digital support is Soundcloud, where Prince has posted four tracks in the last month.
Update: Prince's music is not only on Tidal but also on Google Play Music All Access. Google has not received a request to pull the catalog, unlike Spotify, the company told TechCrunch.
So far Prince's publisher has not offered an explanation about Tidal, Billboard said. As a result it's unclear if Prince is in a specific contract deal or simply prefers that service's terms.
Although Apple is believed to be offering rights holders royalty terms equal or better than its main rival, Spotify, Tidal has made high royalties one of its main marketing points, arguing that artists deserve to be paid properly. The music industry as a whole has been shifting from CDs and downloads to streaming subscriptions, forcing musicians to adapt to new ways of making money.
Partly because of financial arrangements and its owner, rapper Jay-Z, Tidal has been able to secure a variety of exclusive releases. Apple, too, has scored some exclusives, such as Taylor Swift's 1989 album, and the Pharrell Williams single "Freedom." Spotify's offerings have included things like original running music and its regular Spotify Sessions with major acts.
Prince has been generally resistant to digital music, arguing that it doesn't sound as good to him. Listeners can buy Prince tracks from places such as the iTunes Store, but some albums have been distributed through unconventional means like newspapers, and his team has sought to pull almost all YouTube videos with his music, even clips where songs are only on in the background.
Another exception to his digital support is Soundcloud, where Prince has posted four tracks in the last month.
Update: Prince's music is not only on Tidal but also on Google Play Music All Access. Google has not received a request to pull the catalog, unlike Spotify, the company told TechCrunch.
Comments
Which will be bigger?
Tidal ( higher Price * less Demand ) vs Apple Beats1 ( lower Price * more Demand)
I'm going with more Demand for 100 Alex.
It's not like this is 1999.
What a disaster. Or, it would be if this was 1995.
I know I'm being somewhat critical but I believe the bolded is a poor choice of words. I think it would have been better suited to state "forcing musicians to adapt to new ways of being compensated for their work."
Just my 2¢
Music to my ears. I hate that creepy guy.
I grew up in the "Prince" era, and had the _Purple_Rain_ album on vinyl. Not such a big fan. However, I saw some more recent live footage of him playing guitar, and darn, he was good. Really good.
I have no desire for Apple Music, and won't be updating iOS/iTunes on Mac for a while in any case while people shake out the bugs, but I am interested if someone in the US who has Apple Music if "Baby Metal" is available to stream...
I don't listen a lot to "Metal" in any sub-genre, usually, but that is the exception, for small amounts of time a day...
Does he go by Prince again?
Who. Cares.
No. Prince. AppleMusic. is. DOOMED.
30+ million tracks is nothing without Prince.
/s
Just FYI: Prince is a self-taught musician and can play (very well!) just about every single instrument in a "normal" pop band, including guitar, piano, percussion and even saxophone.
No, trolls would say a Apple thinks it invented "exclusive" but Apple is a follower.
Just FYI: Prince is a self-taught musician and can play (very well!) just about every single instrument in a "normal" pop band, including guitar, piano, percussion and even saxophone.
That's interesting. I'd see him live (small venue live, not large) if I had the chance, even if I have no interest in his recordings. The recording I saw of him recently was a small venue live gig and he was good.
Just FYI: Prince is a self-taught musician and can play (very well!) just about every single instrument in a "normal" pop band, including guitar, piano, percussion and even saxophone.
He has more talent than Taylor Swift, Dr Dre and jimmy Iovine combined - several times over.
How do you know there's more demand?
Yes, it's available. Is it good?