#TIDALforALL?

“The Tides They Are-A Changing.”

Have you seen similar hashtags and slogans all over social media this week?

“The Tides They Are-A Changing” #TIDALforALL

— Mr. Carter (@S_C_) March 30, 2015

The Instagram accounts of artists such as Beyonce, Rihanna and Madonna turned teal blue on Tuesday in support of an initiative to create history. Rapper and businessman Jay Z launched Tidal — the first artist-owned music streaming service to follow in the footsteps of Qobuz. His $56 million investment is meant to return the power of the industry to the artist, thus, eliminating the middleman in the business.

The new launch has the support of celebrities, but is now being questioned by the public. Consumers want to know if it is worth the $20 per month investment and Jay Z wants to tell them what it is and why it’s worth it.

Jay Z also sat down for short Q&As on Wednesday after the launch with students from NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and Hostos Community College in the Bronx. Here’s the footage of the event at Hostos.

Although Jay Z says that he is in no competition with Spotify, everyone is going to keep a very close eye on this service and its expanding track catalogue. — Makaela James