Jay Z Launches Tidal Streaming-Music Service

Todd Spangler / Variety /

Music impresario Jay Z has launched Tidal — positioned as a high-quality streaming-music subscription service priced at $10 per month, which includes deals with numerous artists including: Alicia Keys, Arcade Fire, Beyonce, Calvin Harris, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Kanye West and Madonna.

Jay Z, the stage name of Shawn Carter, in January acquired Sweden -based Aspiro for a reported $56 million.

Tidal’s launch partner is mobile carrier Sprint. Other artists participating in the service include Daft Punk, Jack White of the White Stripes, Deadmau5,.

The Tidal service will compete with Spotify Apple’s new streaming service, which it will launch this summer, will also not have a free tier. The company acquired the service when it bought Beats Electronics, the audio group founded by the hip-hop star Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine, last year for $3bn.

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