Jay Z Fires Back at TIDAL Critics
Jay Z has spoken. Following the growing backlash to TIDAL, the Roc Nation mogul took to Twitter to defend the streaming service.
The 45-year-old rapper, who rarely tweets, mounted his defense campaign using the hashtag #TidalFacts. Despite the negative press, he claims that TIDAL is “doing just fine” and has amassed over 770,000 subscribers in less than a month. He vowed his long-term commitment and asked for patience “to grow and get better.”
Tidal is doing just fine. We have over 770,000 subs. We have been in business less than one month. #TidalFacts
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
We are here for the long haul. Please give us a chance to grow & get better. #TidalFacts
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
During his lengthy series of tweets, he also accused his competitors of running smear campaigns to discredit TIDAL and reiterated the company’s position as pro-artist and pro-fan. According to Mr. Carter, the service pays “75% royalty rate to ALL artists, writers and producers,” not only the founding members.
There are many big companies that are spending millions on a smear campaign. We are not anti-anyone, we are pro-artist & fan. #TidalFacts
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
We made Tidal for fans. We have more than just music. We have video, exclusive concerts, tickets for events early, live sports!…
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
….Tidal is where artists can give their fans more without the middlemen. #TidalFacts
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
Indie artists who want to work directly w/ us keep 100% of their music. "If you don't want the CEOs all in the videos" haa #tidalfacts
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
Tidal pays 75% royalty rate to ALL artists, writers and producers – not just the founding members on stage.
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
He compared TIDAL’s value to its competitors including Spotify, Apple, and YouTube, and stressed its main goal: to help artists give more to their fans.
Rich getting richer? Equity values… YouTube $390 billion. Apple $760 billion. Spotify $8 billion. Tidal $60 million. #TidalFacts
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
Our actions will speak louder than words. We made Tidal to bring people the best experiences…
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
and to help artists give that to their fans over and over again…
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
We are human (even Daft Punk ha). We aren't perfect – but we are determined. #TidalFacts
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
Jay Z launched TIDAL in March with a star-studded press conference, which was attended by Rihanna, Madonna, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Kanye West, and Alicia Keys, who are all part owners.
The high-fidelity streaming service, which Jay Z purchased from Swedish tech company Aspiro for $56 million, has already produced exclusives from Jay Z, Beyoncé, and Rihanna. It is also rumored that TIDAL will be the exclusive carrier of Beyoncé and Jay Z’s upcoming joint album.