Tay Tay has written a letter on her Tumblr page lampooning Apple music for not paying musicians during the service’s three month free trial.
While the rest of her discography will be available on Apple Music, Swift’s huge hit album 1989 will not be available on Apple’s new streaming service. On her Tumblr post Swift justified the decision to deny Apple what they want:
“I write this to explain why I’ll be holding back my album, 1989, from the new streaming service, Apple Music. I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans,” Swift wrote.
“I’m sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free 3 month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I’m not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company.
“These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much. We simply do not respect this particular call.”
For the full letter click here.
UPDATED 2:30 pm
Apple’s Senior vp of Internet Services, Eddy Cue, has confirmed via Twitter that Apple music streaming will pay artists during its three month free trial period.
Apple’s backtracking follows a heated Tumblr post by Taylor Swift. In the post Tay Tay said she will be withdrawing her album 1989 from Apple’s Music streaming service when it launches next week, because Apple is not paying musicians during the three month free trial period.
Cue took to Twitter to post three tweets:
Apple will always make sure that artist are paid #iTunes #AppleMusic
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
#AppleMusic will pay artist for streaming, even during customer’s free trial period
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple
— Eddy Cue (@cue) June 22, 2015
Taylor responded to Apple’s decision:
I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) June 22, 2015