Jay-Z’s Tidal streaming music service is reportedly months behind on royalty payments to three record labels.
Via Complex:
According to a report form Music Business Worldwide, who also reported on the manipulation claims, Norwegian publication Dagens Næringsliv ran a story Wednesday alleging that the streaming service is “significantly behind” on its royalty payments to rights-holders. Specifically, the report claims, Tidal is behind on payouts to three major record companies.
“It is correct that there are delays in payments from Tidal,” Sveinung Rindal, CEO of the Sony-backed Phonofile, reportedly said.
Though Tidal has not yet committed on this latest report, they previously characterized the publication’s general tactics as a calculated attempt at sullying their reputation. “This is a smear campaign from a publication that once referred to our employee as an ‘Israeli Intelligence officer’ and our owner as a ‘crack dealer,'” a rep said after the stats manipulation claims were made. “We expect nothing less from them than this ridiculous story, lies, and falsehoods. The information was stolen and manipulated and we will fight these claims vigorously.”
Dagens Næringsliv later doubled down, claiming that Tidal had reduced payments to artists from 62.5 percent to 55 percent.