Apple is in talks to make Drake, Pharrell Williams, and David Guetta guest DJs on iTunes Radio, according to a new report. The company has reportedly been visiting music labels to complete the deals ahead of its Worldwide Developers Conference next week.
However, sources say the Cupertino company wants “the moon and the stars” from record companies.
“The tech giant wants to offer a three-month free trial period for its $10-a-month subscription service to get customers to sample its new offering,” New York Post reports. “So far so good, but it also wants the labels to give it rights for free during that time.”
This is described as a “laughable request” from Apple, which is the most valuable brand on the planet, with approximately $178 billion in cash reserves. The company also wanted to include lyrics as part of its new streaming service, which it also wants thrown in for free.
New York Post says Apple may have to pay as much as $19 million to sign Drake, who is likely to be “one of a host of artists” Apple is looking to recruit to give its new music streaming service the edge as it prepares to take on Spotify, Rdio, Google Play Music, and others.
It’s unclear whether Apple will be able to wrap up the deals before WWDC kicks off on June 8, but we expect its new music service, which many believe to be called Beats Music, to be announced regardless.
Source: New York Post