Hang Tight: JAY-Z’s ‘4:44’ Will Be Released on Apple Music, Physically
Tidal exclusives don't always stay that way. And that looks like the case with the boss' new album as well. Look for JAY-Z's latest to hit iTunes and Apple Music next week.
Tidal exclusives don’t always stay that way. And that looks like the case with the boss’ new album as well.
Less than 24 hours after JAY-Z‘s 13th album, 4:44, dropped as a midnight exclusive on Tidal/Sprint on Friday (June 30), Billboard has learned that the confessional 10-track work will soon be available elsewhere.
A source confirmed that 4:44 will be added to Apple Music/iTunes next week after its one-week exclusivity window on Tidal; the songs also streamed on 160 iHeartRadio stations across the U.S. after 4:44‘s release and they will air until midnight on July 1 on the network’s Urban and Rhythmic formats. At press time a spokesperson for the rapper could not be reached for confirmation on whether the album will be available on other streaming services once the Sprint exclusivity window closes. The exclusive is part of a $200 million deal the carrier signed with Tidal earlier this year.
A source close to the project also said that a physical release is eventually planned, though no timetable has been set yet for that roll-out. That source also confirmed that fans need to sign up for Sprint service in order to get the album if they are not already Tidal subscribers. Otherwise, as noted by disgruntled Jay fan hit-making producer Mark Ronson, it is only available to those who were pre-established Tidal subscribers before June 26 or already had Sprint service.