Kanye West Announces His New Album Won’t Be Streaming

Kanye West

Kanye West announced on Friday the tracklist of his future album “Donda 2”, which will be available only on the “Stem Player” device and not on streaming platforms.

The fickle artist said that this device will allow listeners to also hear four components of the songs (voices and choirs, percussion, bass, and music) and costs $ 200.

“Tech companies have made music practically free,” the artist complains on Instagram. “After 10 albums and 10 contracts, I have turned down $100 million from Apple. No one can pay me to disrespect me. We set our own price for our own art.”

It’s not the first time West has lashed out at the streaming model and has resorted to unconventional broadcasting methods.

After releasing “The Life of Pablo” in 2016, initially only on the Tidal platform, West continued to alter the recording, with backing vocals, new lyrics and new mixes.

Last year he previewed “Donda” in a series of auditions and when it finally reached streaming, he said that the record company had put it on without permission.

His announcement of “Stem Player” comes after criticism has recently been subjected to Spotify, the streaming giant, accused of allowing disinformation through podcasts, in particular its star Joe Rogan.

The controversy sparked a debate about the hegemony of streaming platforms and their business model, from which artists benefit little.

“Currently, artists only get 12% of the money the industry makes. It’s time to free music from this oppressive system,” writes West, who advocates taking control of his work.

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Kanye West’s new album is scheduled for release on February 22.

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