Now, the Chicago hip-hop prodigy has taken to Twitter to share the specific details of that Apple Music agreement. He's revealed that the extent of his Apple contract consisted of $500,000 USD and a commercial, in exchange for a two-week exclusive streaming period. Chance justified the decision to his followers, explaining that "I needed the money" and that the Apple Music folks are "good people."
He goes on to tout the importance of artists remaining "in control of their own product" and maintaining "integrity," but says as long as they can do that, there's no reason they shouldn't turn down lucrative opportunities.
The revelation comes following reports earlier this week that Chance the Rapper might actually put his official debut album up for sale when it arrives. He told Complex:
Opening the scope. I think I might actually sell this album. That's, like, a big step in itself. I kind of hate the fact that I can't chart, really. I can chart, but the way they have the streaming shit set up is weak as fuck. It's unfair. 1,500 streams is the equivalent to one [album sale], and that's just that's unfair. Nobody listens to their songs [1,500] times when they buy it—fuck outta here! So, it makes it hard. I can't really compete with other people. Not that the charts matters at all, but like, come on. Anyways, I think having it for purchase would be dope. Also, this is all hypothetical. There is no album. I can feel fans squirming in their chair, like, "Oh shit, he's changing!" This is an idea.
Read the rapper's full string of tweets below.
I never felt the need to correct folks on my relationship with @apple but now that more people have tried to discredit my independence..
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) March 17, 2017
I wanna clear things up. @apple gave me half a mil and a commercial to post Coloring Book exclusively on applemusic for 2 weeks https://t.co/dMWwptrHHH
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) March 17, 2017
That was the extent of my deal, after 2 weeks it was on SoundCloud for free. I needed the money and they're all good people over there https://t.co/5kIhv0YaKS
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) March 17, 2017
I feel like if I didnt clear it up people would keep trying to discredit all the work we did to make Coloring Book what it became https://t.co/05v81I38ur
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) March 17, 2017
I think artist can gain a lot from the streaming wars as long as they remain in control of their own product. https://t.co/6agVO3uIdf
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) March 17, 2017
I just wanna remain transparent. Folks out there without a deal need to know they're doing everything right just keep at it. https://t.co/5udstMPX62
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) March 17, 2017
If you come across oprtunities to work with good people, pick up cash and keep your integrity I say Do It https://t.co/yF0gBPkLhY
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) March 17, 2017
