TI Joins Roc Nation As First 2016 Addition And Keeps Tidal Buzz Alive
TI is the newest member of the exclusive group of artists belonging to Jay Z’s iconic Roc Nation label as well as the artist exclusives trend that has kept Jay Z’s Tidal music streaming service in the news headlines during 2016. TI made the announcement that he was getting onboard with both Roc Nation and Tidal before his show at a mall in Atlanta last night, reports XXL.
TI And Roc Nation
TI hinted at his musical partnership with longtime friend Jay Z back in September by posting to the TI Instagram that he was collaborating with Jay on something involving TI’s upcoming album, Dime Trap. The assumption at the time was that TI was talking about a new track collab, but we now know he was really talking about collaborating with Jay Z on an album distribution level.
TI was one of the more successful artists of the 00s, releasing three albums between 2006 and 2008 that would all reach No. 1 on the charts and go on to become platinum. TI’s music sales have cooled down quite a bit since then, however. He has tried changing labels and even self-released his last album, Da Nic, but TI has not been able to recapture his former chart-topping performance.
But his move could very well change TI’s public image and boost album awareness, reports the Source, and fans agree.
“Hov” is one of Jay Z’s stage names, by the way.
Jay Z’s Roc Nation label is extremely reputable, having been instrumental in the careers of hugely successful hip-hop artists like Kanye West, Meek Mill, and Rihanna. Now that TI is joining the ranks, will the great notoriety of the Roc Nation name act as a stepping stone for his music as well?
TI And Tidal
As TI joins Jay-Z’s Tidal music streaming service, the platform’s notability is at an all-time high; it has been making waves, to say the least, since the start of 2016.
#TI Announces He's Part Owner Of #Tidal
->https://t.co/FZTg1GyAzp pic.twitter.com/nAR8Ng9t6R— The Daily Cigarette (@DailyCigarette) February 23, 2016
Tidal’s recent waves of popularity have been due mainly to two huge artist exclusives Jay Z has bagged for his service during 2016: Kanye West’s new album, The Life of Pablo, and Rihanna’s new album, Anti. Both albums were released exclusively on Tidal, and both of them worked wonders for Tidal’s recognition and overall success.
Now TI is a member of Jay Z’s tidal music streaming family, as part of last night’s announcement was that TI will be joining artists such as Nicki Minaj, Jason Aldean, Madonna, and Deadmau5 as the 19th Tidal co-owner.
But TI has already released the first single from Dime Trap, entitled “Money Talk,” along with its accompanying video, as a Tidal exclusive.
Not only that, but TI performed a concert last night that was streamed live and exclusively on Tidal’s website. You can review the stream and listen to the single, which is available to anyone with an internet connection for a limited time, by clicking here.
Recent reports have pegged the popularity boom TI’s new home experienced during the first 50 days of 2016 as a fleeting sensation, creating a false illusion of success. However, if the service can keep stoking its own hype train by securing big-name exclusives and artists like TI, can it fade into obscurity?
Watching TI perform live at a concert for @TIDALHiFi – @kanyewest made me sign up and get the Tidal App. I might just keep it.
— G Money ?? ???? (@GMONEYizME) February 23, 2016
In any case, this is a huge move for TI. Do you think the TI legacy, as well as the reputations of Roc Nation and Tidal, will be improved by TI’s signings? Let the world know by commenting below.
[Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Tidal]
