Kanye West claims that songwriters have been “really hurt” by streaming services

Kanye West says that songwriters have been “really hurt” from streaming services.

The rapper and producer will also be exclusively releasing his album ‘DONDA 2’ via his $200 Stem Player device.

After announcing that within 24 hours he made over $2.2 million on Stem Player sales, Kanye posted on Instagram the following statement: “I walked away from Apple right after having the most number 1’s in Apple history. Song writers have been really hurt by streaming platforms."

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“Some say I’m the only one who can make this change. So as the leading innovator in music of the past 20 years. I’m putting my own work on the line to change it. I’ve already won by not being afraid to move. Now we’re winning because there are true supporters that have invested their hard-earned money in my vision of freedom.”

“Today artists get just 12% of the money the industry makes,” West said on Friday after announcing that his album would only be available on his Stem Player.

“It’s time to free music from this oppressive system. It’s time to take control and build our own,” he wrote, whilst encouraging fans to an order page for the Stem Player.

According to DJ Akademiks, it is rumoured that Apple have since pulled their sponsorship deal with West which was said to be worth $2 million as they were planning to stream a ‘DONDA 2’ concert event.

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The first part of the Netflix documentary series Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy directed by Chike Ozah and Clarence "Coodie" Simmons was released last week and includes 20 years of footage. The next episode will drop on Netflix February 23.

Becky Buckle is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter