Apple reportedly wooing Drake, Pharrell, David Guetta for iTunes Radio guest DJ spot
As Apple prepares to relaunch a revamped version of its free-to-stream iTunes Radio service, the company is looking to bring on musicians Drake, Pharrell Williams and David Guetta as guest DJs, a report said Sunday.
Music industry sources told The New York Post that Apple is negotiating a $19 million deal to have Drake serve as a guest DJ for iTunes Radio. The rapper may also assume other roles as part of the agreement, but it was not immediately clear what those extra duties would entail.
Along with Drake, Apple is reportedly in similar discussions with Pharrell and Guetta, though financial estimates of their arrangements were not provided.
Perhaps unrelated to the iTunes Radio proposition, Drake and Pharrell were among the first celebrities to don pre-release Apple Watch Editions in April. Drake was seen wearing a yellow gold version at Coachella just days after Pharrell showed up on his TV show "The Voice" sporting an identical model with Sport Band.
As for Apple's broader streaming strategy, the report said the company wants to offer a free three-month trial period for a separate subscription product widely thought to be based on Beats Music. Apple doesn't want to foot the bill for licensing rights, however, and is thus requesting labels waive fees for customer trials. The company is also asking for free lyrics, the report said.
Rumors of an iTunes Radio revamp came earlier this year alongside word of that Apple was working on a branded subscription service. It was later learned that Apple poached Grammy-nominated DJ Zane Lowe from the BBC to spearhead work on the renewed iTunes Radio effort. Most recently, reports in April said a handful of top producers from Radio 1, some of whom worked with Lowe, were also hired away.
Apple is expected to introduce iTunes Radio and its new subscription platform at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
Music industry sources told The New York Post that Apple is negotiating a $19 million deal to have Drake serve as a guest DJ for iTunes Radio. The rapper may also assume other roles as part of the agreement, but it was not immediately clear what those extra duties would entail.
Along with Drake, Apple is reportedly in similar discussions with Pharrell and Guetta, though financial estimates of their arrangements were not provided.
Perhaps unrelated to the iTunes Radio proposition, Drake and Pharrell were among the first celebrities to don pre-release Apple Watch Editions in April. Drake was seen wearing a yellow gold version at Coachella just days after Pharrell showed up on his TV show "The Voice" sporting an identical model with Sport Band.
As for Apple's broader streaming strategy, the report said the company wants to offer a free three-month trial period for a separate subscription product widely thought to be based on Beats Music. Apple doesn't want to foot the bill for licensing rights, however, and is thus requesting labels waive fees for customer trials. The company is also asking for free lyrics, the report said.
Rumors of an iTunes Radio revamp came earlier this year alongside word of that Apple was working on a branded subscription service. It was later learned that Apple poached Grammy-nominated DJ Zane Lowe from the BBC to spearhead work on the renewed iTunes Radio effort. Most recently, reports in April said a handful of top producers from Radio 1, some of whom worked with Lowe, were also hired away.
Apple is expected to introduce iTunes Radio and its new subscription platform at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
Comments
*cue complaints Apple shouldn't work with these people* (who do you suggest, more U2? Bob Dylan again?)
*cue Spotify fans claiming they'll never switch* (they will in six months)
I've come to enjoy iTunes Radio, though some playlists need more frequent refreshes (Classical Chill is a favorite but it seems to repeat a lot). Looking forward to the new service.
My complaint would be that the people they've hired so far fit into a pretty narrow field of musical tastes. I hope Apple adds a LOT more talent to cover other musical genres.
Someone like Alice Cooper for classic rock, for example. And I doubt anyone hired so far would be playing any country music (not a fan myself, but hugely popular).
My complaint would be that the people they've hired so far fit into a pretty narrow field of musical tastes. I hope Apple adds a LOT more talent to cover other musical genres.
Someone like Alice Cooper for classic rock, for example. And I doubt anyone hired so far would be playing any country music (not a fan myself, but hugely popular).
I'm sure they will. I was mainly heading off complaints of "Ugh, why did they pick these people, modern music is crap, blah blah blah"
My complaint would be that the people they've hired so far fit into a pretty narrow field of musical tastes. I hope Apple adds a LOT more talent to cover other musical genres.
Someone like Alice Cooper for classic rock, for example. And I doubt anyone hired so far would be playing any country music (not a fan myself, but hugely popular).
I would expect your comment from a few others on this site, but not you. I think you might be mistaken about your outlook. Who can say what these people listen to when they are not on stage or have listened to when they were learning to do what they do today? I know it is your opinion, but give Apple a chance to have you listen to what they have to present before you express critical judgement. Alice Cooper might not be a DJ for classic rock, but something else he knows about. Would you be disappointed because of this? Remember, Apple sees people very differently than how "ordinary" people see them and how they might see themselves. If I remember correctly, AI reported Apple hired a musician to help it research blood flow in an effort to detect heart attacks. I bet that guy did not think his musical talents would be considered for that field of work!
I would expect your comment from a few others on this site, but not you. I think you might be mistaken about your outlook. Who can say what these people listen to when they are not on stage or have listened to when they were learning to do what they do today? I know it is your opinion, but give Apple a chance to have you listen to what they have to present before you express critical judgement. Alice Cooper might not be a DJ for classic rock, but something else he knows about. Would you be disappointed because of this? Remember, Apple sees people very differently than how "ordinary" people see them and how they might see themselves. If I remember correctly, AI reported Apple hired a musician to help it research blood flow in an effort to detect heart attacks. I bet that guy did not think his musical talents would be considered for that field of work!
Well, seeing as AC already hosts a radio show with classic rock as the subject, he might not want to do anything else.
Well, seeing as AC already hosts a radio show with classic rock as the subject, he might not want to do anything else.
Operative word highlighted for you. I am only suggesting you to consider he might choose to do something different for Apple IF he was offered the opportunity to do so. Sometimes doing the same thing can become boring. AC's fans could be surprised to learn something different about and from him. This goes for the artists mentioned in the article, too. Heck, who would have thought Trent Reznor would be helping Apple with UI design on a music app? From the pictures I have seen, the app is more useful. I will find out later today when I install iOS Beta 4 on my iPhone 4S.
It's not how Apple sees people - it's how the customers see them. Someone looking for "channels" (or however Apple sets things up) to listen to and seeing Drake is going to expect music along the lines of his own material. If they hear something completely different I think their reaction might be "I tuned in to hear some Hip Hop and got rock instead" and then proceed to switch channels.
Drake might love classic rock and have a great collection of material to recommend, but who's going to tune in expecting that? I think Apple should keep it simple. Have well known people from each genre so people are going to be directed to what they expect. Then expand on that by going in different directions that make sense (classic rock branching into blues rock or heavy metal). Or Hip Hop to rap and R&B.
It's not how Apple sees people - it's how the customers see them. Someone looking for "channels" (or however Apple sets things up) to listen to and seeing Drake is going to expect music along the lines of his own material. If they hear something completely different I think their reaction might be "I tuned in to hear some Hip Hop and got rock instead" and then proceed to switch channels.
Drake might love classic rock and have a great collection of material to recommend, but who's going to tune in expecting that? I think Apple should keep it simple. Have well known people from each genre so people are going to be directed to what they expect. Then expand on that by going in different directions that make sense (classic rock branching into blues rock or heavy metal). Or Hip Hop to rap and R&B.
Thankfully, I am hoping Apple continues to see people differently and present them differently at a minimum just to test the waters of being different. Giving everybody exactly what they expect is not something Apple has done in the past and hopefully will not be what they do in the future. A guest DJ more than likely will be promoted in advance to let listeners know what is coming. I am bored with this thread now. Thankfully, it is time to get ready for Game of Thrones.
Perhaps, but I think this shows a greater overall strategy at Apple. Those watches were the tip of the iceberg.
Oh, the US AND Australia. That's most everywhere covered, nothing to complain about at all. The USA is the whole world, after all. :no:
Or folk and folk rock, the bedrock of great music IMHO.
Your point is what? All such things take time to roll out.
Oh, the US AND Australia. That's most everywhere covered, nothing to complain about at all. The USA is the whole world, after all.
When I was a kid in junior school that was said of the British Empire, well the sentiment was actually conjugated correctly back then.
When I was a kid in junior school that was said of the British Empire, well it was actually conjugated correctly back then.
This actually goes along with it:
But on topic, I preempted the whining because it's always the case; someone from the UK gets on to complain in a place where no decision maker will see it.
To be honest I don't know anyone in the UK these days so I'll take your word for it. I do wish they would get rid of the Royals though. I'm sure there must be a better way to waste tax payer's money.
If it's anything like Sirius XM, then it's standard. These artists are lending their name and exclusive stamp of approval on new music playlists or stations for Apple. Right now, the hottest artists are worth much more than $19 million because it's not about the music as much as it's about the endorsement. Same thing with Nike shoes. Do you really think all star athletes and customers really care about footwear that much? It's all about name co-branding.
David Guetta would make an amazing DJ!
I think Apple should merge iTunes Radio and Beats into the music app.