Taylor Swift explains why ‘1989’ won’t be on Apple Music

NEW YORK, USA – Pop superstar Taylor Swift said Sunday, June 21 she will not allow her latest album on Apple’s new streaming service to protest its “shocking” lack of artist compensation during a free trial period.

The move by Swift, one of the most outspoken critics of streaming leader Spotify, delivers an early blow to Apple’s bid to dominate the booming sector.

Swift said that the tech giant, which is launching the new Apple Music on June 30, will not pay for songs streamed during a free 3-month trial period for new subscribers. 

“I find it to be shocking, disappointing and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company,” Swift wrote in a posting on Tumblr.

Swift – whose 1989 was by far the top-selling US album last year and remains high on the charts – insisted that she was speaking for all artists and not just herself.

“These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much,” Swift wrote.

Swift said that her move was in part “about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt.”

Here is her full statement:

To Apple, Love Taylor

“I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries.

“I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I’m not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company. 

“This is not about me. Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs.

“These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call.

“I realize that Apple is working towards a goal of paid streaming. I think that is beautiful progress. We know how astronomically successful Apple has been and we know that this incredible company has the money to pay artists, writers and producers for the 3 month trial period… even if it is free for the fans trying it out.

“Three months is a long time to go unpaid, and it is unfair to ask anyone to work for nothing. I say this with love, reverence, and admiration for everything else Apple has done. I hope that soon I can join them in the progression towards a streaming model that seems fair to those who create this music. I think this could be the platform that gets it right.

“But I say to Apple with all due respect, it’s not too late to change this policy and change the minds of those in the music industry who will be deeply and gravely affected by this. We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.”

Taylor

Apple holds a massive influence over the music industry through iTunes, the premier place to buy songs or albums digitally.

The company is now hoping to become a powerful force in streaming as it watches consumes flock to unlimited, on-demand online music. 

Apple has not gone public with details on the payout structure, but is known to have been involved in intense negotiations with major record labels. 

Prosecutors in New York and the neighboring state of Connecticut have started an initial probe on whether major labels are colluding with Apple to stop licensing content to rivals. 

Swift said that 1989 would not appear on Apple Music, although she stopped short on pulling her entire catalog.

Last year, she withdrew all of her music from Spotify – which, controversially, offers a free tier that is supported by advertisements. (READ: Taylor Swift talks about why she pulled her music off Spotify)

Spotify says that it nonetheless pays back artists and has given out $3 billion in royalties since the Swedish company’s launch in 2008. 

Apple plans to charge $9.99 a month after the 3-month trial. – Rappler.com