In reversal, Taylor Swift to stream on Apple

NEW YORK, USA – Pop superstar Taylor Swift said Thursday, June 25 she would stream her latest album on Apple, capping an 180-degree about-turn after she threatened a boycott.

The big loser in Swift’s reconciliation with Apple stands to be Spotify, the leader in the booming sector of streaming, which offers unlimited, on-demand music.

Swift on Sunday, June 21 issued an open protest to Apple over compensation to artists on its upcoming streaming service, leading the tech giant to reverse course and step up payments. (READ: At 25, Taylor Swift proves extraordinary force)

In response, the 25-year-old singer, who had initially threatened a boycott, said Thursday that she would stream her blockbuster album 1989 on Apple Music.

“This is simply the first time it’s felt right in my gut to stream my album. Thank you, Apple, for your change of heart,” Swift wrote on Twitter.

This is simply the first time it’s felt right in my gut to stream my album. Thank you, Apple, for your change of heart.

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 25, 2015

 

Swift last year pulled her entire catalog from Spotify, angry at the Swedish company’s free tier supported by advertising.

The starlet streams most of her work on rival platforms such as Google Play and rap mogul Jay-Z’s Tidal, but until now 1989 – by far the best-selling US album of the past year – was available only on physical copies or digital downloads.

In another sign that Apple is investing heavily in streaming, Pharrell Williams said that his new single would be released exclusively on the service when it goes live on Tuesday, June 30.

Williams, best known for the viral hit “Happy,” released a video on social media to preview the song, entitled “Freedom.”

FREEDOM! @applemusic https://t.co/8bR4Rnz9L8

— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) June 25, 2015

 

Swift insisted that she had not entered any special deal with Apple.

“In case you’re wondering if this is some exclusive deal like you’ve seen Apple do with other artists, it’s not,” she tweeted.

In case you’re wondering if this is some exclusive deal like you’ve seen Apple do with other artists, it’s not.

— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 25, 2015

 

Swift had initially lashed out at Apple for not planning to pay royalties to artists for streams during customers’ three-month trial periods.

She said that other artists were afraid to speak out for fear of incurring the wrath of Apple, which enjoys major influence in the music world through iTunes.

A senior Apple executive within hours called Swift, who was in Amsterdam on a tour, and said the company would compensate for songs at all stages of streaming. –Rappler.com