KANYE VS. TIDAL
According to numerous reports that were initially ignited by TMZ, if tensions between Kanye West and Jay-Z continue, West—one of Tidal’s owners—will decline to release his next project as an exclusive to the Hova-led streaming service (or at least he might try to).
Allegedly, sources are saying that Kanye's lawyer sent a letter to Tidal a month ago, arguing that the contract should be terminated because the company was in breach. Since then, it's been stated that lawyers for both sides have tried to resolve the conflict and failed.
Many seem to think Tidal owes West and his team for marketing efforts, including video production, as well as a bonus for increasing the subscriber count; said bonus was apparently agreed upon ahead of the February 2016 release of West's The Life of Pablo. For clarity, the service saw a reported 1.5m-subscriber bump directly following said release.
The TMZ report explains Tidal's position, pointing out that Kanye didn't deliver the videos required by the contract. Yeezy’s supposed response? “I'll deliver the videos when you pay me what I'm owed.”
If ‘Ye goes to another streaming service, some are saying that he’ll be sued by Tidal. But if Tidal sues ‘Ye, he’ll probably just sue right back.
All that said, the ‘Ye-centric lyrics on Jay’s recently released, acclaimed 4:44 album probably aren’t helping to put out any fires. “I know people backstab you, I feel bad too / But this fuck everybody attitude ain’t natural / But you ain’t the same, this ain’t KumbaYe / But you got hurt because you did cool by ‘Ye / You gave him 20 million without thinkin’ / He gave you 20 minutes on stage, fuck was he thinkin’? / ‘Fuck wrong with everybody?’ is what you sayin’ / But if everybody’s crazy, you’re the one that’s insane.”
As for the state of Tidal, remember that, at the top of the year, the company sold a one-third stake to Sprint (the carrier that just put out 4:44 through an exclusive partnership) for $200m. And in May, Jeff Toig became the third CEO to leave in the last two years.
Pass the popcorn.
