All is right with the world again. Taylor Swift and Apple have kissed and made up, and the pop singer confirmed today that 1989, the best-selling album of 2014, will be available on the company’s music streaming service, which launches June 30.
Their squabble started when Apple revealed it would not be paying artists royalties during Apple Music’s three-month free trial period. On Sunday (June 21), Tay-Tay responded with an open letter—er, Tumblr post—to Apple, saying she would withhold 1989 from the service until the policy changed. Fans have had to buy the album since it hasn’t been available on any streaming service.
I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company, she said, noting she was standing up for indie artists everywhere (she herself is doing just fine, thank you very much). We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.
Hearing her plea, Apple swiftly changed course Sunday evening, and music labels confirmed that the company will pay out 0.2 cent for each song that is streamed to users for free, a rate comparable to royalties paid out by similar services, such as Spotify, for their free-streaming tiers.
Pleased with the response, Swift is ready to shake off the whole experience. Swift also said 1989 will not be exclusively streamed on Apple Music.
