Chance the Rapper takes to Twitter to defend $649,000 streaming deal with Apple Music

Just take a look at Chance the Rapper who received $A649,000 from Apple Music so the service could exclusively stream his latest album Colouring Book for two-weeks.

Despite making the album available for free on SoundCloud after the 14-day exclusive, the Chicago rapper copped heavy criticism for making the deal in the first place.

It all has to do with the fact Chance has built a career on remaining fiercely independent — last month he became the first independent artist to win a Grammy for best new artist.

Many of the rapper’s fans felt like he sold out with the Apple Music deal, suggesting he should have just released the album for free from the get-go.

Taking offence to people trying to “discredit” his independence, the rapper used a series of tweets to explain his motives.

In short, Chance explained that he needed the money and still released his album for free after the two week period.

He went on to say that his deal was proof artists can stay in control of their product, while also capitalising on the streaming wars currently taking place.

You can see the whole series 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

If after reading these tweets you still feel like Chance had sold out for the money, it could be a good time to remind you that the rapper recently announced he is donating $A1.3 million of his own money to Chicago Public Schools facing a budget crisis.

Exclusive streaming rights in the music industry have long been a topic of debate, with market leader Spotify strongly against them.

“We’re not really in the business of paying for exclusives, because we think they’re bad for artists and they’re bad for fans,” a Spotify spokesman told The Verge.

“Artists want as many fans as possible to hear their music, and fans want to be able to hear whatever they’re excited about or interested in — exclusives get in the way of that for both sides. Of course, we understand that short promotional exclusives are common and we don’t have an absolute policy against them, but we definitely think the best practice for everybody is wide release.”

Apple on the other hand are very favourable of the business model, striking high-profile exclusives deals from the likes of Drake, Dr Dre and Frank Ocean.

Do you think Chance the Rapper discredited his independence with the Apple Music deal? Continue the conversation in the comments below or with Matthew Dunn on Facebook or Twitter.