Jay Z once again proves he’s a business, man. Following rumors regarding various deals, Shawn Carter’s TIDAL has officially announced a new partnership with Sprint, bringing exclusive content to the phone company’s 45 million customers. Through this deal, Sprint acquired 33 percent of TIDAL, leaving the rest to Jay Z and artist-owners like Beyoncé, Kanye West, Alicia Keys, and Nicki Minaj. The deal cost Sprint $200 million, according to Billboard. Sprint’s CEO, Marcelo Claure, will also join TIDAL’s Board of Directors as part of this move, which Hov is happy about.
“Sprint shares our view of revolutionizing the creative industry to allow artists to connect directly with their fans and reach their fullest, shared potential,” Jay Z said in a statement. “Marcelo understood our goal right away and together we are excited to bring Sprint’s 45 million customers an unmatched entertainment experience.”
Claure was also excited about the move, complimenting S. Carter on his ability to innovate. “Jay saw not only a business need, but a cultural one, and put his heart and grit into building TIDAL into a world-class music streaming platform that is unrivaled in quality and content,” he said. “The passion and dedication that these artist-owners bring to fans will enable Sprint to offer new and existing customers access to exclusive content and entertainment experiences in a way no other service can.” Jay Z purchased TIDAL from Aspiro AB for $56 million in 2015. Since then, the company has soared and struggled. While artist exclusives like Beyoncé’s LEMONADE and Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo have given the platform a competitive edge over rivals Apple Music and Spotify, it has also faced some challenges.
Shortly after buying TIDAL, Jay countered criticism by revealing the company’s mission. “We are here for the long haul,” he wrote. “Please give us a chance to grow & get better.”
Congrats to Tika Sumpter! The 36-year-old actress has revealed that she is engaged. Her boyfriend and baby daddy Nick James, who is also an actor, popped the question on Christmas. Dishing on how he proposed, she explained, It was her first Christmas. He did all these amazing things. I went on a little hunt in the house for different things and I thought, ‘Oh, he’s going to propose. But it was a bike he bought me and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s cool.’ And then he had a letter, behind Ella. And he was like ‘Ella has something to say to you’. And there was like this letter, this beauty, and then he proposed. It was just simple and awesome.
Tika Sumpter is expecting her first child, a daughter next month, but she’s been tight-lipped about who her unborn child’s father is. And we certainly understand
However, the news was bound to be spilled at some point. Reportedly, the 36-year-old actress is dating actor Nicholas James. The pair have been dating for a year and a half and both star on Tyler Perry’s The Haves and the Have Nots. In a new interview, Sumpter says that their pregnancy was a surprised and wasn’t planned.
My pregnancy wasn’t planned. I found out around Valentine’s Day, when my boyfriend took me on a surprise trip to San Diego. I never want McDonald’s, but I was like, ‘I need a Big Mac, fries, and a Coke now.’ They were still only serving breakfast, so I insisted we wait there until they started serving lunch. Afterward, I immediately fell asleep. When I woke up, my boyfriend was like, ‘Ha-ha! Are you pregnant?’ I said, ‘Maybe. Go get a test!’ He brought back a generic-brand test, and right away it said positive. I could not comprehend it. So I said, ‘Go get a name-brand test!’ He did, and that one said yes too. I still have the stick. I had to show it to my mom, because she didn’t even believe me when I told her.
Rihanna is ANTI President Donald Trump and she proved it on Saturday (Jan. 21), along with hundreds of thousands around the country. While similar protests were held across the globe, the pop superstar went to “Work” at the Women’s March in New York, where she protested along with a large crowd that gathered in front of Trump Tower. Through social media videos, RiRi was seen shouting with protesters: “Welcome to your first day. We will not go away!”
Donning a pink middle finger dad hat and a pink “This P***y Grabs Back” hoodie, Rihanna also joined in “Donald Trump has got to go” and “My body, my voice” chants.
Several other stars also joined in the protests. Alicia Keys, Janelle Monáe, Scarlett Johansson, America Ferrera, Ashley Judd, and Madonna were among the celebrities who led the Women’s March on Washington.
“We will continue to rise until our voices are heard,” said Keys, who also performed “Girl on Fire” at the D.C. rally. “Until our planet’s safety is not deferred. Until our bombs stop dropping in other lands. Until our dollar is the same dollar as a man’s. And we’ll continue to recognize that, yes, we can.”
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