While the streaming war seems to have cooled in recent times, Jay Z is taking major measures to heighten the exclusivity of his TIDAL platform.
Earlier times saw services spar with exclusive albums by top-tier talent; yet with UMG releases forbidding that practice for any of its artists, Jigga seems to be taking another route.
Omission.
It has been confirmed that the mogul has snatched many of his albums and song releases from both Spotify and Apple Music.
As at writing, the only LP’s of his present on either service are 1997’s ‘In My Lifetime Vol. 1’, ‘Reasonable Doubt’, and 1998’s ‘Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life.’ His 2004 collaboration album with Linkin Park also remains.
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The timing of the move, which some are calling a “nuclear operation,” is interesting.
Jay is set to perform at a number of high-profile events this year, including London’s V Festival. All of which has many believing that new music is nigh.
If indeed the case, it’s plausible that he’s establishing TIDAL as the go-to place to listen to his iconic catalogue – which will no doubt be thrust under the spotlight upon the release of anything new.
One has to wonder if any of TIDAL’s other “artist owners,” such as Rihanna, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, and Beyonce, will follow suit.