Jay Z and Sprint are now business partners after it was announced today (Jan. 23) that the communications company will acquire a 33% stake in TIDAL, the streaming music service owned by Hova.
The deal is part of a partnership between the two companies where Sprint customers will receive exclusive content for customers who subscribe to TIDAL. Sprint did not say when the acquisition would be complete.
Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure said in a statement,
“Jay saw not only a business need, but a cultural one, and put his heart and grit into building TIDAL into a world-class music streaming platform that is unrivaled in quality and conten. The passion and dedication that these artist-owners bring to fans will enable Sprint to offer new and existing customers access to exclusive content and entertainment experiences in a way no other service can.”
1/ Big partnership news! Today, @Sprint is acquiring 33% of @TIDALHiFi https://t.co/hlRu82JG7D pic.twitter.com/mmTe648FiR
— MarceloClaure (@marceloclaure) January 23, 2017
The partnership will give Sprint’s 45 million retail customers unlimited access to exclusive artist content not available anywhere else. TIDAL and its artists will also make exclusive content that will only be available to current and new Sprint customers.
Speaking of the deal, Jigga stated,
“Sprint shares our view of revolutionizing the creative industry to allow artists to connect directly with their fans and reach their fullest, shared potential. Marcelo understood our goal right away and together we are excited to bring Sprint’s 45 million customers an unmatched entertainment experience.”
We’ll do great things with @Sprint & can’t wait to share our exclusive experiences with their 45 million customers. https://t.co/NFRCLgrneL pic.twitter.com/Szffu8W12W
— TIDAL (@TIDALHiFi) January 23, 2017
Jay Z and the artist-owners will continue to run TIDAL’s artist-centric service as it pioneers and grows the direct relationship between artists and fans. More news on exclusive offers and upcoming promotions from Sprint and TIDAL will be unveiled soon.
Jay wasn’t lying when he said, “I’m a business…man.”
