Prince cut ties with all streaming services on Wednesday, aside from the one owned by music mogul Jay Z.
In a sweeping move, the “Purple Rain” singer removed his music from all sites except Tidal.
“Prince’s publisher has asked all streaming services to remove his catalog. We have cooperated with the request, and hope to bring his music back as soon as possible,” a message on his Spotify page read on the same he released a suggestive new song called “HARDROCKLOVER,” available on Soundcloud.
It should come as no surprise to fans, however, as his disgust over the digital age has been public knowledge for years.
“The Internet’s completely over. I don’t see why I should give my new music to iTunes or anyone else,” he said in 2010.
Prince’s music is also absent from new streaming service Apple Music, which launched Tuesday; however, one site where he has remained loyal is Jay Z’s Tidal (below), which streamed Prince’s May 10 Rally 4 Peace concert in Baltimore.
Prince has been vocal on Twitter over his dislike for streaming services that he believes steal money from artists.
"Spotify is co-owned by record labels, who hold 20 percent of the company’s stocks."
– The Daily Beast http://t.co/qQtZ02OOZr— Prince (@prnlegacy) June 25, 2015
"Essentially, streaming has offered labels the ability to pay themselves twice while reducing what is owed to artists…
— Prince (@prnlegacy) June 25, 2015
…from pennies on the dollar to fractions of pennies on the dollar." – The Daily Beast
— Prince (@prnlegacy) June 25, 2015