We’re also aware that sometimes when catalogue is removed from streaming services, it’s in preparation for a relaunch of remastered / repackaged / rights-reclaimed versions, as happened with Radiohead’s b-sides when they made the transition from EMI to Beggars Group. Our long-held view that artists have the right to decide where and how they make their music available remains true, albeit with the equally long-known caveat that decisions to withhold it often drive people to the world those artists can’t control: piracy. 2 Hard Knock Life’ available to stream, despite indications in US media coverage that they’ve been pulled.Īs yet, there’s no word from Roc Nation or Jay Z on what’s been happening. The details are a bit murky, mind: initial reports that Apple Music was affected as well as Spotify have been questioned, and even on Spotify, here in the UK we’re still seeing albums including ‘Reasonable Doubt’ and ‘Vol.
In 2017, from Drake to Ed Sheeran, cultural clout requires ubiquity across all the audio-streaming services at least, although as their contrasting approaches to YouTube show – Drake isn’t that bothered while Sheeran put every track off his album on it – there’s no set policy when it comes to music videos.Īll of this is a long introduction to some puzzling news on Tidal co-owner Jay Z’s back catalogue, with more removals afoot on other streaming services. Instead, that kind of exclusivity will now revolve more around ‘original content’ that backs up the albums, particularly involving video material. The threat of long-term single-service exclusives that was being discussed a lot 12-18 months ago has receded.
We appear to be moving into an era where by and large, albums will be available on all the services, with the occasional week-long single-service promotional exclusive, and the new option to keep big new albums off Spotify’s free tier for up to two weeks after their release.
In 2017, the dust is starting to settle on the question of how ‘exclusives’ will work on music-streaming services.
Tags: Artists Exclusives Jay-Z Spotify Tidal