Believing, as his wife does, that all the problems of the world can be solved with social media, Kanye West weighed in on Twitter on what are said to be some "choppy" negotiations, as Vulture puts it, between Apple and the Jay-Z-founded subscription streaming music service Tidal. Kanye tweeted on Saturday, "This Tidal Apple beef is fucking up the music game," and "I need Tim Cook Jay Z Dez Jimmy Larry me and Drake Scooter on the phone or in a room this week!!!" Also, apparently trying to throw some shade Tim Cook's way, he says, "Apple give Jay his check for Tidal now and stop trying to act like you Steve."
So yes, West, who admitted earlier this year (on Twitter) to being $53 million in debt, wants Apple to hurry up and fork over some cash for Tidal, in which he is said to own a small share.
We learned earlier this month about Apple's talks with Tidal, in a move that seemed design to strengthen Apple Music's position in the streaming market against major competitor Spotify by adding Tidal's roster of high-profile artists, which includes Jay Z, West, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift. Meanwhile, though, West and Beyoncé caved to market pressure and ultimately made their newest albums available on Spotify this after West initially pledged only to make Life of Pablo available on Tidal, only to reneg on that within days and make the album available on Apple Music and elsewhere.
Apple Music currently has 15 million paid subscribers while Spotify has 30 million, according to CNet. Tidal, which costs about twice as much ($20 a month) has attracted only 3 million subscribers.
This Tidal Apple beef is fucking up the music game.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 30, 2016
I need Tim Cook Jay Z Dez Jimmy Larry me and Drake Scooter on the phone or in a room this week!!!
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 30, 2016
Fuck all this dick swinging contest. We all gon be dead in 100 Years. Let the kids have the music.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 30, 2016
Apple give Jay his check for Tidal now and stop trying to act like you Steve.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) July 30, 2016
Previously: Kanye West Announces New Tour Dates, Oakland Appearance