Kanye West Reportedly Leaves Tidal Over Money Dispute In Rift With Jay-Z

Musician Kanye West has reportedly terminated his contract with Tidal, the streaming service started by Jay-Z, West’s former friend and mentor.

West claims that the streaming service owes him over $3 million and is in breach of contract, according to TMZ. Through lawyers, West has terminated his contract with the company although Tidal refuses to recognize West’s exit.

News of the break comes only days after Jay-Z release of 4:44, a new album in which he makes reference to a rant West went on during one of his concerts. In the rant, West spoke about his dying friendship with Jay and his disapproval of Beyonce‘s behavior.

“Jay-Z – call me, bruh. You still ain’t called me. Jay-Z, I know you got killers. Please don’t send them at my head. Please call me. Talk to me like a man,” West said during a show in Sacramento earlier this year.

Jay-Z responded on 4:44 when he said, “Ye / You gave him 20 million without blinkin / He gave you 20 minutes on stage, f*** was he thinkin’?”

West and Jay-Z have a long history together. West was once signed to the Brooklyn rapper’s recording label, Roc-A-Fella Records. West and Jay-Z also made a collaboration album titled Watch The Throne 2011. West was also one of the first artists to join Tidal after Jay-Z purchased it in 2016.

West released his 2016 album The Life of Pablo exclusively on the streaming service – it was later made available on other platforms for streaming and purchase.

The main dispute derives from the numbers surrounding Pablo. According to TMZ, West claims that the album brought 1.5 million new subscribers to Tidal. West also claims that Tidal went back on a promise for bonuses for exclusive music videos. In response, Tidal has claimed that West never made any of those music videos.