Tidal, the streaming service aimed at artist investments which is back by Jay-Z, is facing another wave of negative press. First, Tidal was accused of manipulating the streaming numbers of Kanye West's The Life of Pablo and Beyonce's Lemonade by Norweigian publication Dagens Næringsliv. Now, the same publication is reporting that Tidal is months behind on delivering royalty checks to several record labels.
The article was translated by Music Business Worldwide, and states that Tidal is “behind with payments directly to the three major international record companies." Sveinung Rindal, CEO of Sony-owned Phonofile records in Norway, backed up the claims. “It is correct that there are delays in payments from Tidal,” he said. Frithjof Boye Hungnes, CEO of independent label Propeller Recordings, also spoke out about the delayed payments. “We have not been paid since October," he claimed. “People are talking about withdrawing [their music from TIDAL]; I think there is a pretty upset mood.”
Tidal has come out to address the first report from Dagens Næringsliv, stating that they have not manipulated any streaming numbers. "This is a smear campaign from a publication that once referred to our employee as an ‘Israeli Intelligence officer’ and our owner [Jay-Z] as a ‘crack dealer,'” Tidal said in an exclusive statement to XXL magazine. “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.” Tidal has yet to respond to the payment allegations.
Source: xxlmag.com
