Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, said he was boycotting most “oppressive” music streaming platforms and that his new album, Donda 2, will only be available on his website.
Ye announced on Thursday that the digital version of Donda 2 would not be available on conventional streaming platforms such as Spotify, Amazon, or Apple Music, saying it’s time “to take control and build our own” platforms. If fans want to listen to the album, it will be available on the Stem Player, a digital platform he owns, for $200.
“Donda 2 will only be available on my own platform, the Stem Player,” Ye wrote in an Instagram post. “Not on Apple Amazon Spotify or YouTube. Today artists get just 12% of the money the industry makes. It’s time to free music from this oppressive system. It’s time to take control and build our own.”
“I ain’t know what was gonna happen, but I knew had to move,” Ye wrote in a follow-up post. “After 10 albums after being under 10 contracts. I turned down a hundred million dollar Apple deal. No one can pay me to be disrespected. We set our own price for our art. Tech companies made music practically free so if you don’t do merch sneakers and tours you don’t eat. Jay Z made Tidal and fake media attacked him.”
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The Stem Player will allow users to isolate particular elements of the track, such as vocals, drums, or bass, the company said. It will also only be available in limited quantities upon order.
The album is scheduled for release on the Stem Player on Feb. 22, but it is unclear when Donda 2 will be available as a physical album.
Ye has attempted to challenge the streaming platforms in the past. When Donda was released on streaming platforms in August 2021, Ye claimed it was released by Universal without his permission. He also attempted to push back on streaming platforms in 2016 by stating that his album The Life of Pablo would not appear on Apple Music. As of 2022, the album is available on most streaming platforms.
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Spotify has drawn criticism in recent weeks over its decision to continue hosting Joe Rogan despite claims from some that he promotes misinformation about COVID-19. Artists including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have pulled their music from Spotify to protest Rogan’s promotion of COVID-19 skeptics such as Dr. Robert Malone.
