Lil Wayne, like Arcade Fire, Daft Punk and Madonna, is an artist-owner of Tidal, but Drake has an exclusive deal with industry competitor Apple Music – which, according to tweets from Tidal’s account, precluded his performance from inclusion in the stream.
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The message highlighted what appeared to be a very strict move by Apple to protect its partnership with Drake, especially given that some proceeds from the concert are headed to a charity for communities still dealing with the effects of Katrina.
Tidal cut a 30-minute of segment of its live stream and replaced it with this black box that blamed Apple.
“The decision to not have Drake participate in the Tidal stream has nothing to do with Apple or Drake’s deal…. Sorry for Big Brother’s inconvenience”, the Tidal Twitter notified listeners as Drake took the stage.
Speaking to BuzzFeed News, Future the Prince commented: “Point blank, 100%”.
We’re told Drake, who is still signed to New Orleans native Lil Wayne’s Young Money Records, jumped at the chance to perform at the sold-out festival. I made a business decision.
Shortly before the concert, a report from a Page Six said that Apple also threatened to sue Tidal for up to $US20 million if Drake appeared on Tidal’s live stream. Apple Music executives threatened legal action due to the show being streamed on Tidal.
So what gives? What was behind Drake’s refusal to be part of the stream?
“Drake’s manager adds later: “[Tidal] saw the opportunity to take a situation and spin it in their favor as a publicity stunt”.
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‘We were just there to participate in the benefit’.
