Jay-Z's press conference for Tidal was messy

[summer]

TIME



The launch event for the rapper's streaming service was a big mess



After its splashy launch press conference yesterday, the primary argument for Tidal—the two-tiered music service recently purchased by Jay Z that costs either $9.99 or $19.99 per month—is that artists deserve more money for their work. It’s not necessarily a wrongheaded argument, but the manner in which Jay Z and his contemporaries have pressed the point is embarrassingly out-of-touch.



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There are real, systemic problems with current streaming services like Spotify, which stream music for free to listeners and distribute to artists a paltry fee drawn from advertising. That’s why Taylor Swift withdrew her hugely profitable catalog from the service last year. The argument Swift has been making is that music has inherent value; from her statements regarding Spotify to her op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, it’s a point she’s consistently made well. The argument Jay Z and his fellow stars at the Tidal launch (including Nicki Minaj, Madonna, and Beyoncé) are making is that they deserve to set the price point for their music. The supporting evidence for this claim? They want to set the price point for their music.



The rhetoric around Tidal was pretty funny, when it wasn’t embarrassing. A promotional video showed various celebrities gathering to discuss their master plan as Beyoncé, who would seem to know better, said “Every great movement started with a group of people being able to get together and really just make a stand.” From Seneca Falls, to Selma, to Stonewall, to Los Angeles, where a bunch of celebrities demanded that their fans give them more money—this country has such a rich history of protest movements.





Jokes aside, the celebrities at the Tidal launch press conference did a remarkably poor job of elucidating why the consumer accustomed to getting music for free should begin paying for it. In the age of Spotify, it is entirely legal to listen to music constantly and never spend money on it. Countering that fact with the moral claim that celebrities would prefer if you didn’t stream music for free only makes sense if you believe celebrities should get everything they want, one hundred percent of the time.



As for the rhetoric in the press conference that music is special and has a unique place in our culture: Music fans agree! That’s why they listen to music often, on services that provide that music for free. But rather than building a better system, Jay Z and friends have, so far, put their energy behind a product that’s more or less the same as Spotify, but more expensive. A product this pointless could, maybe, be sold as a charity case by artists who depend on every penny of fan support. But Jay Z, a rapper who wastes no opportunity to brag, on his records, about his business acumen, is not that figure. Based on the optics of the Tidal launch, his business acumen may have failed him this time.



Twitter goes in:

[Velar Fricative]

OMG I was all ready to post something serious and then when I got down to the picture of Madonna at the very bottom, I lost it.

And is that Chris Martin on the TV screen behind everyone?

[IIOY]

The world doesn't seem too impressed with Tidal's business model. I'm not sure what the difference is between this and Spotify, aside from the pricier HD option, which is meaningless if you use run-of-the-mill ear buds.

[pixy0stix]

I wonder if Deadmau5 ever regrets first putting his first mousehead on.

[summer]

Mar 31, 2015 14:42:36 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I wonder if Deadmau5 ever regrets first putting his first mousehead on.

Yeah, that probably wasn't the best idea. 

[ttt]

I just cannot handle the self importance here

mobile.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/business/media/jay-z-reveals-plans-for-tidal-a-streaming-music-service.html?_r=0&referrer=

Also... What???

“The challenge is to get everyone to respect music again, to recognize its value,” said Jay Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter. “Water is free. Music is $6 but no one wants to pay for music. You should drink free water from the tap — it’s a beautiful thing. And if you want to hear the most beautiful song, then support the artist.”

?

[laurenpetro]

Mar 31, 2015 14:28:14 GMT -5 IIOY said:

The world doesn't seem too impressed with Tidal's business model. I'm not sure what the difference is between this and Spotify, aside from the pricier HD option, which is meaningless if you use run-of-the-mill ear buds.

i'm not moved one bit by that cast of characters crying the blues about their royalty rates from spotify.  if you're trying to guilt me into paying more than what i pay for spotify (which i do pay for, i don't do the free version) then use upcoming artists who don't have 9 homes or the ability to look smug on stage while patting themselves on the back for making themselves even more money. 

i can't think of anyone else they could have added to that list to make me less sympathetic to their cause.

[summer]

Mar 31, 2015 14:47:21 GMT -5 ttt said:

I just cannot handle the self importance here

mobile.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/business/media/jay-z-reveals-plans-for-tidal-a-streaming-music-service.html?_r=0&referrer=

Also... What???

“The challenge is to get everyone to respect music again, to recognize its value,” said Jay Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter. “Water is free. Music is $6 but no one wants to pay for music. You should drink free water from the tap — it’s a beautiful thing. And if you want to hear the most beautiful song, then support the artist.”

?

He was smoking whatever Bey was smoking?

[laurenpetro]

Mar 31, 2015 14:47:21 GMT -5 ttt said:

I just cannot handle the self importance here

mobile.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/business/media/jay-z-reveals-plans-for-tidal-a-streaming-music-service.html?_r=0&referrer=

Also... What???

“The challenge is to get everyone to respect music again, to recognize its value,” said Jay Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter. “Water is free. Music is $6 but no one wants to pay for music. You should drink free water from the tap — it’s a beautiful thing. And if you want to hear the most beautiful song, then support the artist.”

?

that's odd.  my water costs me $100/quarter.

[ttt]

I mean, I've been thinking, streaming music is great, but the problem is that Jay Z, Beyonce, Madonna and Taylor Swift aren't as rich as they could be. I'm so glad someone is solving this problem.

[ttt]

Mar 31, 2015 14:50:14 GMT -5 laurenpetro said:

Mar 31, 2015 14:47:21 GMT -5 ttt said:

I just cannot handle the self importance here

mobile.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/business/media/jay-z-reveals-plans-for-tidal-a-streaming-music-service.html?_r=0&referrer=

Also... What???

“The challenge is to get everyone to respect music again, to recognize its value,” said Jay Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter. “Water is free. Music is $6 but no one wants to pay for music. You should drink free water from the tap — it’s a beautiful thing. And if you want to hear the most beautiful song, then support the artist.”

?

that's odd.  my water costs me $100/quarter.

To Jay-Z, thats basically the same as free. 

[ttt]

I JUST CANNOT with the way these super rich musicians are trying to turn this into some serious, social justice cause:

www.vogue.com/13143524/jay-z-tidal-music-streaming-service/

[summer]

excerpt from: http://bossip.com/1124032/the-tidal-press-conference-was-a-tone-deaf-disaster-that-alienated-fans/



The celebrities took the stage, somber-faced and melodramatic as if they were signing the Emancipation Proclamation and asked us to help them. The same artists who can’t stop singing songs about how rich they are suddenly need us to line their pockets a bit more. That’s not going to happen and Tidal is going to fail.

You might think I’m just “hating” because I don’t have the money to pay for a subscription service like Tidal.

Well, that’s true.

I just don’t have $19.99 a month to spend on a music service. Because I have $900 Kanye sweaters to buy and I don’t know the next time Jay and Beyonce might tour together; those $275 balcony seats aren’t going to buy themselves. So excuse me if I pinch some pennies here and there, starting with a service created solely to make sure you have more money than you did last week.

What’s more insulting about the Tidal press conference is the self-importance the musicians thrust upon the entire production. They treated their right to earn more money for streams like it was the new Civil Rights Movement (which isn’t a far stretch for Kanye, who’s compared the right to not get photo’d by paparazzi to the actual Civil Rights Movement). Just look at one of Alicia Keys’ comments about her quest for freedom or whatever:

“We’re gathered…with one voice in unity in the hopes that today will be another one of those moments in time, a moment that will forever change the course of music history.”

They even quoted Nietzche for crying out loud. It’s absurd and every person on that stage was totally oblivious to the stupidity taking place before our eyes. Essentially Jay Z wants to take money from one billion-dollar organization and give it to his other almost-as-rich cronies. Especially in light of the fact we’ve still yet to hear a single person on that stage (aside from J. Cole) say anything about the actual new Civil Rights Movement taking place in America.

[josieposy]

I pay for Spotify. If they want to hash out the deals they're getting from Spotify, I'm not stopping them. But I'm not signing up for Tidal either.

[IIOY]

Mar 31, 2015 14:54:43 GMT -5 summer said:

excerpt from: http://bossip.com/1124032/the-tidal-press-conference-was-a-tone-deaf-disaster-that-alienated-fans/



The celebrities took the stage, somber-faced and melodramatic as if they were signing the Emancipation Proclamation and asked us to help them. The same artists who can’t stop singing songs about how rich they are suddenly need us to line their pockets a bit more. That’s not going to happen and Tidal is going to fail.

You might think I’m just “hating” because I don’t have the money to pay for a subscription service like Tidal.

Well, that’s true.

I just don’t have $19.99 a month to spend on a music service. Because I have $900 Kanye sweaters to buy and I don’t know the next time Jay and Beyonce might tour together; those $275 balcony seats aren’t going to buy themselves. So excuse me if I pinch some pennies here and there, starting with a service created solely to make sure you have more money than you did last week.

What’s more insulting about the Tidal press conference is the self-importance the musicians thrust upon the entire production. They treated their right to earn more money for streams like it was the new Civil Rights Movement (which isn’t a far stretch for Kanye, who’s compared the right to not get photo’d by paparazzi to the actual Civil Rights Movement). Just look at one of Alicia Keys’ comments about her quest for freedom or whatever:

“We’re gathered…with one voice in unity in the hopes that today will be another one of those moments in time, a moment that will forever change the course of music history.”

They even quoted Nietzche for crying out loud. It’s absurd and every person on that stage was totally oblivious to the stupidity taking place before our eyes. Essentially Jay Z wants to take money from one billion-dollar organization and give it to his other almost-as-rich cronies. Especially in light of the fact we’ve still yet to hear a single person on that stage (aside from J. Cole) say anything about the actual new Civil Rights Movement taking place in America.

I have tears!

[IIOY]

As usual, Twitter has some good stuff.

"What I dislike the most about #Tidal is how they are acting like they solved the global climate crisis"

[IIOY]

"Is this TIDAL wave going to wash Iggy back to Aust.. Nevermind. ?"

[pixy0stix]

I do think they have a legitimate point in that streaming music, et al shouldn't be free. HOWEVER, they are doing it in such a blow-hard way that no one is going to listen to their big heads.

[josieposy]

Meanwhile poor U2 can't even give their music away.

[onomatopoeia]

Mar 31, 2015 14:54:43 GMT -5 summer said:

excerpt from: http://bossip.com/1124032/the-tidal-press-conference-was-a-tone-deaf-disaster-that-alienated-fans/



The celebrities took the stage, somber-faced and melodramatic as if they were signing the Emancipation Proclamation and asked us to help them. The same artists who can’t stop singing songs about how rich they are suddenly need us to line their pockets a bit more. That’s not going to happen and Tidal is going to fail.

You might think I’m just “hating” because I don’t have the money to pay for a subscription service like Tidal.

Well, that’s true.

I just don’t have $19.99 a month to spend on a music service. Because I have $900 Kanye sweaters to buy and I don’t know the next time Jay and Beyonce might tour together; those $275 balcony seats aren’t going to buy themselves. So excuse me if I pinch some pennies here and there, starting with a service created solely to make sure you have more money than you did last week.

What’s more insulting about the Tidal press conference is the self-importance the musicians thrust upon the entire production. They treated their right to earn more money for streams like it was the new Civil Rights Movement (which isn’t a far stretch for Kanye, who’s compared the right to not get photo’d by paparazzi to the actual Civil Rights Movement). Just look at one of Alicia Keys’ comments about her quest for freedom or whatever:

“We’re gathered…with one voice in unity in the hopes that today will be another one of those moments in time, a moment that will forever change the course of music history.”

They even quoted Nietzche for crying out loud. It’s absurd and every person on that stage was totally oblivious to the stupidity taking place before our eyes. Essentially Jay Z wants to take money from one billion-dollar organization and give it to his other almost-as-rich cronies. Especially in light of the fact we’ve still yet to hear a single person on that stage (aside from J. Cole) say anything about the actual new Civil Rights Movement taking place in America.

LOL that their idea of changing the course of music history means charging people more money and letting rich artists get richer.  I'm all about artists getting credit for their work, but I'd be way more sympathetic with different spokespeople.

I saw this on the GMA this morning and even the anchors were all "soooo...their big idea is that I pay a monthly subscription?  For something I get now for free?".  It was funny.

Next thing you know they'll be trying to sell us on the idea of having all music be put on these fancy little plastic discs that you have to pay for, and then also buy special machines to play these fancy discs.  You can even get these machines installed in your car!  Think of all the royalties the artists will be able to collect!

[summer]

There are a lot of super rich and famous people up there who, imo, haven't made a decent album in a minute. So, no, I'm not paying for it.  I paid for Bey's last one because I liked the concept with the videos and all. That was dope. But I haven't bought some of her other albums.  Kanye hasn't done an album where I liked more than one track since Graduation.  I wasn't feeling Jay's last album. I haven't been here for Madonna since Ray of Light.  Nikki Minaj? Also not.  And Rihanna, no because bleating goats




ETA:  But I absolutely believe in paying for music. It shouldn't be free.  And artists should be fairly compensated.

[IIOY]

Mar 31, 2015 15:21:29 GMT -5 summer said:

There are a lot of super rich and famous people up there who, imo, haven't made a decent album in a minute. 

This is the truest statement in this entire thread.

And why is Madonna dressed like a widow?

[ttt]

How is streaming music different from the radio, exactly? Can someone explain this to an old person please?

[Skyesthelimit1212]

Mar 31, 2015 14:54:43 GMT -5 summer said:

excerpt from: http://bossip.com/1124032/the-tidal-press-conference-was-a-tone-deaf-disaster-that-alienated-fans/



The celebrities took the stage, somber-faced and melodramatic as if they were signing the Emancipation Proclamation and asked us to help them. The same artists who can’t stop singing songs about how rich they are suddenly need us to line their pockets a bit more. That’s not going to happen and Tidal is going to fail.

You might think I’m just “hating” because I don’t have the money to pay for a subscription service like Tidal.

Well, that’s true.

I just don’t have $19.99 a month to spend on a music service. Because I have $900 Kanye sweaters to buy and I don’t know the next time Jay and Beyonce might tour together; those $275 balcony seats aren’t going to buy themselves. So excuse me if I pinch some pennies here and there, starting with a service created solely to make sure you have more money than you did last week.

What’s more insulting about the Tidal press conference is the self-importance the musicians thrust upon the entire production. They treated their right to earn more money for streams like it was the new Civil Rights Movement (which isn’t a far stretch for Kanye, who’s compared the right to not get photo’d by paparazzi to the actual Civil Rights Movement). Just look at one of Alicia Keys’ comments about her quest for freedom or whatever:

“We’re gathered…with one voice in unity in the hopes that today will be another one of those moments in time, a moment that will forever change the course of music history.”

They even quoted Nietzche for crying out loud. It’s absurd and every person on that stage was totally oblivious to the stupidity taking place before our eyes. Essentially Jay Z wants to take money from one billion-dollar organization and give it to his other almost-as-rich cronies. Especially in light of the fact we’ve still yet to hear a single person on that stage (aside from J. Cole) say anything about the actual new Civil Rights Movement taking place in America.

I don't want this to be said on some tv show or in some article, I want this to be said to the "artists" ( I use that word loosely) to their faces.  I want them all sitting at a table and I want them to physically hear someone stating this out loud.  
Then I want someone to ask Kanye what the fuck his problem is.  LOL   

I am serious on both counts. 

[pixy0stix]

Mar 31, 2015 15:36:16 GMT -5 ttt said:

How is streaming music different from the radio, exactly? Can someone explain this to an old person please?

Radio stations pay royalties to play the music.

[ttt]

Mar 31, 2015 15:40:12 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Mar 31, 2015 15:36:16 GMT -5 ttt said:

How is streaming music different from the radio, exactly? Can someone explain this to an old person please?

Radio stations pay royalties to play the music.

How does streaming work? The artists just give it to the company for free? 

[captainobvious]

Mar 31, 2015 14:23:55 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

OMG I was all ready to post something serious and then when I got down to the picture of Madonna at the very bottom, I lost it.

And is that Chris Martin on the TV screen behind everyone?

He looks rather impressed with Madonna's ass. 

[laurenpetro]

Mar 31, 2015 15:36:16 GMT -5 ttt said:

How is streaming music different from the radio, exactly? Can someone explain this to an old person please?

in the case of spotify (the free version) the only difference is that you get to choose what you listen to rather than have a DJ "not" getting paid by the record companies to play certain songs 50 times an hour.  you have a certain number of ads to listen to in any given timeframe with both spotify and with radio.  so you're not Really listening for free, even though you are.  KWIM?

pay spotify gives you the ability to save playlists and play them offline via the app with no ads.  but, the second i don't pay my bill all of my goodies go bye-bye.  thankfully the settings are saved so when i finally remember to revise my CC on file i just have to resync my app and all is good.

[laurenpetro]

Mar 31, 2015 15:40:12 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Mar 31, 2015 15:36:16 GMT -5 ttt said:

How is streaming music different from the radio, exactly? Can someone explain this to an old person please?

Radio stations pay royalties to play the music.

so do streaming services.  not at the same rate but they do pay. 

[ttt]

Mar 31, 2015 15:41:31 GMT -5 laurenpetro said:

Mar 31, 2015 15:36:16 GMT -5 ttt said:

How is streaming music different from the radio, exactly? Can someone explain this to an old person please?

in the case of spotify (the free version) the only difference is that you get to choose what you listen to rather than have a DJ "not" getting paid by the record companies to play certain songs 50 times an hour.  you have a certain number of ads to listen to in any given timeframe with both spotify and with radio.  so you're not Really listening for free, even though you are.  KWIM?

pay spotify gives you the ability to save playlists and play them offline via the app with no ads.  but, the second i don't pay my bill all of my goodies go bye-bye.  thankfully the settings are saved so when i finally remember to revise my CC on file i just have to resync my app and all is good.

OK that makes sense. 

So really the only difference is that artists thinks they should be getting paid more by Spotify and the like. Then....negotiate a different contract? I don't get why this is some enormous injustice.