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Jay Z has issued a series of tweets defending his new streaming service Tidal, and has asked for users to be patient - although the internet's mockery continues unabated.
The rapper and founder of the premium streaming service wrote a number of Tweets last nigtht (27 April) answering criticism of the venture (you know when the situation is serious when he breaks his twitter silence).
The Hov addressed criticism of the service, the number of subscribers, the perception and misconceptions of the service and also alludes to a 'smear campaign' trying to bring down the service.
Read Jay Z's tweets about Tidal below.
The iTunes Store wasn't built in a day. It took Spotify 9 years to be successful…
— 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
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
….Tidal is where artists can give their fans more without the middlemen. #TidalFacts
— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) April 26, 2015
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
Naturally within hours a parody Twitter account sprung up shortly afterwards masquerading as Tidal Facts.
Tidal is Jay Z's 100th problem. #TidalFacts
— TIDAL Facts (@TIDALFacts) April 26, 2015
Dr. Dre's Detox will be exclusively streamed on Tidal in 2090. #TidalFacts
— TIDAL Facts (@TIDALFacts) April 26, 2015
Rihanna wrote BBHMM about Tidal. #TidalFacts
— TIDAL Facts (@TIDALFacts) April 26, 2015
As well as his Twitter defence of the service, it has been rumoured that Jay Z and Beyonce are about to release a joint album on Tidal. As previously reported, Fuse host DJ Skee claimed that the long-rumored album is not only nearing completion but that his sources claim it will “be released exclusively on Tidal.”
Tidal could certainly use some good publicity. A month after a hugely lavish launch in New York, Tidal's app has dropped out of the iPhone's top 700 download chart in the US. Blame came be placed not only at the misfire of a launch but also internal problems. As BGR put it beautifully, instead of suggesting it was a way for new artists to have the funds they need to make a living, it tried to make you feel pity for megastars: "The result was the ultimate mixed message: You should feel sorry about how little money Nicki [Minaj] makes."
Some of users complaints have been genuine (particularly regarding the high cost per month and the to the wholesale copying of the interface from Spotify) but others can be put down to teething problems. Also fan communities appear to be unconvinced of the merits of the scheme - Rihanna's Navy were not happy with 'American Oxygen' premiering on the service.
In this month’s issue of Paper Magazine, Kanye West discussed Tidal and the response it has been receiving. “I heard a comment -- a joke -- about the Tidal press conference being an Illuminati moment,” he said. “If there was actually an Illuminati, it would be more like the energy companies. Not celebrities that gave their life to music and who are pinpointed as decoys for people who really run the world.”
