Update, 3/30: The Taylor Swift thing was just the soft opening, apparently: Jay Z's TIDAL streaming service is officially launching today, according to Business Insider.
In honor of the launch, Tidal has released a new video featuring Madonna, Beyoncé, Daft Punk, Alicia Keys, Jack White, Chris Martin, and more.
The not-free Spotify-like platform promises higher-quality sound and no ads, as well as first-listen exclusives with big-deal artists like the ones who've already shown support on social media:
Music makes the people come together. Join Madonna and turn your profile picture blue. Do it for the music. #TIDALforALLMarch 30, 2015
NAVY, turn the tide…#MakeMusicHistory #TurnitBlue #TIDALforALLMarch 30, 2015
NAVY, turn the tide…#MakeMusicHistory #TurnitBlue #TIDALforALLMarch 30, 2015
Jay Z's record label Roc Nation is releasing a "special announcement" at 5 p.m. EST Monday, so stay tuned.
Update, 3/24: It's great being right so often.
As we (obliquely) predicted, Taylor Swift was in on Jay Z's music streaming scheme: Her albums are now available for listening through TIDAL, which charges users a monthly subscription fee of $19.99. Hint: Take the seven-day free trial so you can air-guitar to "Eyes Open" as frequently as you like.
Original post, 1/30: Partly because he is a mogul and partly because he can, Jay Z has splashed out $56 million on a Swedish music-streaming company to add to his ventures in champagne, fragrances, sports agencies, sports bars, apparel, and NBA basketball teams.
Aspiro runs WiMP, an audio service that offers 25 million songs and 75,000 music videos to half a million subscribers in Europe, according to CNET. (For comparison, Spotify has 15 million paying subscribers.)
Is Hova out to vertically integrate the music industry? Will he rename WiMP something more on-brand? Did Taylor Swift use her Grand Master connections to exact indirect vengeance on Spotify for not paying her enough? (Solutions: yes; Big Listenin'; hell yes.)
You should also check out:
Taylor Swift Celebrity Friend Watch: Jay Z and Justin Timberlake Are Officially In
Beyoncé and Jay Z's Winter Vacation Pictures Are Everything You Want Them to Be
Jay Z Reportedly Selling His Share in the Barclays Center
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Taylor Swift Fans Are Melting Down Trying to Decipher a Hand Gesture She Made at the Latest Eras Tour Stop"I mean she wouldn’t just countdown to the last show cause it’s the last show…right? Something special has to happen………. right???"
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Miley Cyrus Says It Was Her Mom's Idea to Have Her Pole Dance During 2009 Teen Choice Awards at 16"When I got in trouble the next day, you know who was nowhere to be found? Tish Cyrus."
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Kate Middleton Has a Huge Decision to Make About Prince George’s FutureThe Prince and Princess of Wales have reportedly clashed about where to send their oldest son, Prince George, to school.
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Taylor Swift Fans Are Melting Down Trying to Decipher a Hand Gesture She Made at the Latest Eras Tour Stop
"I mean she wouldn’t just countdown to the last show cause it’s the last show…right? Something special has to happen………. right???"
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Taylor Swift Hinted at Her Next Era in a Note to Readers in 'The Eras Tour Book'"See you next era..."
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Travis Kelce Revealed the Taylor Swift Song He'll "Always Listen to Forever"His desert island Taylor Swift playlist would also include a track that he "learned to love" and one that's almost definitely about him.
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Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling Introduce the "Newest Member" of Their Family"I'm crazy about her and excited to share life."
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Jennifer Garner Is Reportedly Ready to Cut Ties With Jennifer Lopez, Unless Their Kids Are Involved"Her friends feel she shouldn't have allowed herself to get so involved."
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Cara Delevingne Dishes on Taking Taylor Swift on a "Wild Ride" When They Lived TogetherWell, they weren't bored.
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Did Matty Healy Just Inadvertently Confirm Taylor Swift's "Guilty as Sin" Is About Him?Very suspicious.
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Donna Kelce Doesn't Think Taylor Swift Will Be Celebrating Thanksgiving With the Kelces: "She's Kind of Busy"Fair enough.
