Kanye West announced this Friday the list of songs for his future album “Donda 2”, which will be available only on the “Stem Player” device and not on streaming platforms.
The mercurial artist said this device will allow listeners to also hear four song components (vocals and chorus, 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 be disrespected. We set our own price for our own art.”
It is not the first time that West has attacked the streaming model and has resorted to unconventional methods of dissemination.
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 came to streaming, he claimed that the record company had put it on without permission.
His “Stem Player” announcement comes on the heels of recent criticism from streaming giant Spotify, accused of enabling misinformation via podcasts, particularly from 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 make 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.
The release of Kanye West’s new album is scheduled for February 22.
