Kanye West is reportedly splitting with JAY-Z‘s Tidal streaming service over a monetary dispute.
According to TMZ, West has insisted that Tidal owes him about $3 million. His lawyer reportedly sent a letter to Tidal saying that the company was in breach of contract and that the contract was being terminated. Although lawyers from both sides tried to reconcile the issue, they could not, leading to a second letter being issued two weeks ago once again stating that West’s contract with Tidal was through.
The split reportedly stems from West’s Life of Pablo album, which brought 1.5 million new subscribers to Tidal. West was supposed to receive a bonus for bringing the subscribers but has reportedly received nothing. What’s more, West claims that Tidal has not reimbursed him for music videos.
Tidal, for its part, has said that West did not deliver on promised videos, and West has responded by saying that he will do so once he is paid. Tidal has also stated that it considers West to still be contracted with them and will sue if West attempts to put his music on another streaming service. According to TMZ, West is willing to walk about amicably but will sue Tidal back if they file suit.
The split reportedly started up before JAY-Z’s new album came out in which he went in on West in the lyrics, rapping:
I know people backstab you, I feel bad too / But this ‘f–k everybody’ attitude ain’t natural / But you ain’t the same, this ain’t KumbaYe / But you got hurt because you did cool by ‘Ye / You gave him 20 million without blinkin’ / He gave you 20 minutes on stage, f– was he thinkin’?/ ‘F–kin’ wrong with everybody?’ is what you sayin’ / But if everybody’s crazy, you’re the one that’s insane.
West reportedly knew nothing about those lyrics before they were released.