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Kid Rock boycotts Apple iTunes

Kid Rock                                                                                            Pic: PA Photos

Kid Rock Pic: PA Photos

Rapper says the download site doesn't pay artists enough

Kid Rock is refusing to allow his songs to be sold through the Apple iTunes download service because he doesn't believe that Apple pay artists enough for their downloads.

The rapper claimed that the download service was based on an "old system" whereby musicians were cut out of pay deals.

He did, however, concede that it was inevitable that his music would one day be available on iTunes.

"It's based on an old system where iTunes takes the money, the record company takes the money, and they don't give it to the artists," he told BBC News.

"Back in the day, we all know the stories of the Otis Reddings and Chuck Berrys and Fats Dominos who never got paid," he continued. "So the internet was an opportunity for everyone to be treated fairly, for the consumer to get a fair price, for the artist to be paid fairly, for the record companies to make some money.

"I will be on iTunes eventually because I can't avoid it, but I like to always stick to my guns and prove a point and do something original and because I believe in it."

Comments (5)

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nahnahnah 

Jun 18, 2008

Brilliant! If enough of these shit bands and "artists" throw hissy fits and decide to keep their dismal "music" off iTunes, the world will be a better place.

prettylittleholeinthehead 

Jun 18, 2008

Good for him... About time someone told them where to go...

TheJeanGenie 

Jun 18, 2008

oh no! How will the world keep turning??

Mr. President 

Jun 18, 2008

itunes and all digital download sites like it are ripping off artists. its not itunes fault. its the way royalties are divided that means artists don't get enough money. on digital downloads artists are still charged royalties on packing, shipment and all the other things that are usually involved with selling CDs. but its a download, it doesn't need packaging etc. this really needs to be addressed by the music industry.

wellduhobviously 

Jun 18, 2008

iTunes exists because the record labels didn't think of it first, and they didn't think of it first because they are risk-adverse luddites.You think it's bad now, Mr Rock? Imagine what it would be like if the record labels HAD got their first. The music would be far more overpriced, and you still wouldn't see any of it.

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