Tidal, the music streaming service purchased by Jay Z in January, announced Thursday that the service is expanding into eight new markets: New Zealand, Israel, Monaco, Lichtenstein, Andorra, Iceland, Thailand and Malaysia.
With this expansion, Tidal is now available in 43 countries globally, including the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, South Africa and the Czech Republic.
Tidal offers 25 million songs and over 75,000 videos. It also gives its members access to exclusive music, videos, tickets and merchandise for artists like Rihanna and Beyonce.
The streaming service launched last year before it was bought by Jay Z for a reported $56 million. He relaunched the app at a star-studded gathering that featured Kanye West, Madonna, and Dead Mau5, on March 30. Tidal is seen as a rival to Spotify, though it doesn’t have a free, ad-supported version. Standard definition streaming starts at $9.99 a month, and a high definition audio version goes for $19.99.
Despite its lofty goals, Tidal has been hit with a barrage of criticism, not just from fans, but from performers alike, including Death Cab for Cutie singer Ben Gibbard.
“I think they totally blew it by bringing out a bunch of millionaires and billionaires and propping them up onstage and then having them all complain about not being paid,” Gibbard said. “That’s why this thing is going to fail miserably.”
Despite the backlash, Jay Z maintained that the company will be alright and tweeted, “Tidal is doing just fine. We have over 770,000 subs. We have been in business less than one month.”
He also asked that fans and critics give the service time to find its legs. “The iTunes Store wasn’t built in a day,” the enterprising rapper wrote. “It took Spotify 9 years to be successful.”
Did the "Diamonds" singer think she was walking the red carpet or in line for a red velvet cupcake? Rihanna brings style and pizzazz to everything she does, but the Grammys weren't one of her best looks.
BEST
"Natural" Nicki Minaj
Nicki went au-naturel on the red carpet in a fitting black Tom Ford gown, with a plunging but classy neckline and slicked back hair to match. It was a toned down look for the "Anaconda" singer, who has walked the carpet with the Pope by her side at the 54th Grammy Awards
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BEST & WORST
Madonna Moonlight as a Matador, With an Emphasis on Moon
Iggy Azalea served in a long blue dress with sheer, geometric cut outs, but her hair? Not so much. The do trended quickly on Twitter with comparisons to a Russian muskrat hat or curled goat horns.
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WORST
Charli XCX Tries to Get too "Fancy"
Charlie XCX isn't known for not playing by the rule, but this time she may have gone a tad too far. The "Boom Clap" singer stepped out on the Grammys red carpet wearing a pink Moschino tuxedo, bow tie and pink fur wrap, which had some fashionistas seeing red.
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BEST
Things That Look Like Other Things
Pharrell looked like a bellhop! Nick Jonas looked like Pee-Wee Herman! Rihanna looked like a shuttlecock! Everyone looked like something else on Sunday.
First, he wore the Arby's hat. Now, he's working at a hotel. The Grammy-winning singer wore a bellhop outfit while performing "Happy." Social media users quickly compared him to "The Grand Budapest Hotel" and Esteban in "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."
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BEST
Pharrell and His "Happy" Crew Go "Hands Up, Don't Shoot"
The vast majority of this year's performances were down tempo, which gave the show a sluggish feel, according to some critics. Then again, CBS typically caters to an older, more traditional audience.
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From red carpet mishaps to a somber public service announcement, TheWrap chooses the high and low notes from music’s biggest night