Prince has removed his music from most streaming services. A message that appeared on sector-leader Spotify said that the pop icon's publisher "has asked all streaming services to remove his catalogue". The sole streaming service that still carried the Purple Rain legend's music as of last week was Tidal, which was relaunched this year by rap mogul Jay Z.
While fans maybe saddened by the news, it’s not shocking in the least.
The 57-year-old artist has always had a contentious relationship with the internet and social media.
For instance, a night after his secret gig in Pacha Dubai on February 4, his team scoured Instagram and sent takedown notices to people who posted 15 second video clips of the gig.
Last year, Prince abruptly left social media, but recently returned to Twitter to promote his latest Hit and Run tour, for which shows were announced with little advance notice.
At least Taylor Swift had the grace to change her mind after denying Spotify the rights to include her work in its catalogue. The pop singer agreed to stream her blockbuster album 1989 only on Apple Music after the company stepped up compensation to artists in response to her complaints. Another artist who refused to stream their work, only to reverse their decision, are hard rock band AC/DC.
