Prince/ Photo by Ralston Smith for NPG Records

Prince/ Photo by Ralston Smith for NPG Records

 

For someone who recently acted like he didn’t know what Spotify was, Prince sure learned the streaming landscape quickly. On Thursday morning, he pulled his music from every music streaming service except Tidal, Jay Z’s new service.

“Prince’s publisher has asked all streaming services to remove his catalog. We have cooperated with the request, and hope to bring his music back as soon as possible,” said Prince’s Spotify page.

A copy of the Spotify page was distributed by Prince’s publicist. Apple Music and Rdio also have removed Prince's music.

Prince has been super-protective of his music, videos and even image. He has kept his legal team busy trying to keep unauthorized use of his work off YouTube and elsewhere on the Internet.

Prince hooked up with Tidal in May to broadcast his Rally 4 Peace concert from Baltimore. Tidal boasts sizable royalty payments to artists, reportedly more than 75 percent of revenue.  

The Purple One’s request does not affect songs he’s written that have been recorded by others such as “Manic Monday” by the Bangles, “The Glamourous Life” by Sheila E and “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’Connor.