Thanks to Taylor Swift.
Apple’s new streaming service Apple Music will launch at the end of this month, offering all users a free three-month trial. Apple initially said would not compensate any artists, producers or songwriters for music streamed during the trial period, a decision that drew much criticism with Beggar’s Group, Brian Jonestown Massacre frontman Anton Newcombe and the UK’s indie label trade body all speaking out against the royalty-free trial.
Apple appeared to be sticking to its guns until Taylor Swift penned an open letter explaining why her latest album 1989 won’t be on Apple Music. The tech giant reversed its decision less than 24 hours after Swift’s scathing statement, acknowledging that Swift and “indie artists” had influenced the move.
Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services, Eddy Cue, published a series of tweets confirming that Apple will indeed be compensating artists for music played during the trial period.
Apple Music will launch on June 30.