Music streaming service Tidal has reportedly failed to pay over
100 outstanding bills,
according to Norwegian newspaper Dagens Næringsliv.
The newspaper obtained documents from credit reference companies
that show the three companies that form Tidal have 107
default notices on unpaid bills between them.
Dagens Næringsliv says that over 100 of the default notices have
been incurred since rapper Jay Z took control of the companies in
March 2015. Tidal was not
immediately available for comment on
its unpaid bills.
The Norwegian newspaper says Tidal owes 30,800 NOK (£2,800) to a
music festival that has been chasing the money since 2014. “I
don’t understand it. It seems a complete mystery,” said Alexandra
Archetti Stølen of the Oslo World Music Festival on Tidal’s
alleged refusal to pay the money it owes.
Other outstanding debts reportedly include 1.15 million NOK
(£104,000) owed to the company that owns Tidal’s head office,
183,735 SEK (£16,200) to its auditor Grant Thornton, and 150,000
NOK (£13,600) to music festival Bylarm. Dagens Næringsliv reports
that Tidal also owes money to taxi companies, record labels,
advertising agencies, hotels, and banks.
One bill has been paid, however. Dagens Næringsliv says that a
51,250 NOK (£4,600) restaurant bill was settled in June after the
restaurant had to start a debt recovery process against the
streaming company.
Madonna signing the Tidal
pledge.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
for Roc Nation
The backlog of unpaid bills is in contrast to Tidal’s public
image, which characterises the streaming service as a fair
alternative to companies like Spotify and Apple. Musicians such
as Madonna and Daft Punk signed a pledge promising to support
musicians.
“We want to create a better service and a better experience for
both fans and artists,” said Tidal co-owner Alicia Keys
at its launch event in New York.
