Kanye West and Jay Z spark controversy over iTunes exclusivity deal

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Independent record stores in the US have criticised hip-hop stars Kanye West and Jay Z‘s decision to make their forthcoming collaborative album Watch The Throne an iTunes premiere exclusive.

Led by the organisers of Record Store Day, a number of shops have added their names to an open letter damning the artist’s naivity and ignorance in the deal that also allows music chain Best Buy to stock the record early. Critics claim that the corporate deal will cause “great damage” to independent stores all around the US.

“We believe this is a short-sighted strategy, and that your decisions will be doing great damage to over 1,700 independent record stores – stores that have supported you and your music for years”, the letter reads.

“We know that you are busy, and that you put most of your energies into creating great music, but we are writing to you in the hope that you will hear us and take the time to rectify this matter. As representatives of the independent record store music community, we are asking you to allow record stores and music fans equal access to your new album.”

The album is set for release on 12 August but is available via iTunes on 8 August, while Best Buy will sell the deluxe edition of the album 10 days earlier than its later wholesale release.

You can listen to pre-released album track ‘Otis’ here.