One month ago, the Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was in talks to buy Tidal, the beleaguered music streaming service that has debuted some of this year's biggest albums, including Beyoncé's Lemonade, ANTI by Rihanna, and, of course, Kanye West's The Life of Pablo. None of the aforementioned albums were immediately available on Apple or Spotify for at least a week, ultimately delaying access to millions of music fans.
Now, the oft-outspoken Kanye has taken to Twitter to criticize both Apple and Tidal for their ongoing battle to dominate music streaming.
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This Tidal Apple beef is fucking up the music game.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 30, 2016
West went on to suggest that Jay Z, who's part owner of Tidal, should meet with himself, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Beats cofounder Jimmy Iovine, rapper Drake, Apple Music's head of content Larry Jackson, and Justin Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun this week to sort the whole mess out. According to West, they should all be working together to "let the kids have the music."
I need Tim Cook Jay Z Dez Jimmy Larry me and Drake Scooter on the phone or in a room this week!!!
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 30, 2016
Fuck all this dick swinging contest. We all gon be dead in 100 Years. Let the kids have the music.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 30, 2016
By far, though, the most interesting part is West's plea to Apple to "give Jay [Z] his check for Tidal," which may have something to do with flagging sales negotiations.
Apple give Jay his check for Tidal now and stop trying to act like you Steve.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 30, 2016
Update: Scooter Braun and Larry Jackson have responded to Kanye's meeting tweet.
I will meet you guys there. Maybe nobu? 1230? Yellowtail anyone? https://t.co/XNcAvWZ1Q4
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) July 30, 2016
FaceTime me in. :) https://t.co/Jr0yWVk5tQ
— Larry Jackson (@LarryJackson) July 30, 2016
We've reached out to reps for Kanye West, Apple, and Tidal for comment and will update when we hear back.
