Taylor Swift prompts Apple Music U-turn over artist payment

Swift’s letter and complaints from other artists led to the policy change

Swift wrote an open letter on her Tumblr (AFP/Getty)

A senior executive at Apple Music has announced on Twitter that the streaming service will pay artists during a three-month trial period.

Eddy Cue said the decision was prompted by an open letter by Taylor Swift in which the singer lambasted Apple’s new streaming service for not properly compensating artists.

Swift wrote an open letter on her Tumblr to explain that she would not be putting her album ‘1989’ on Apple Music because Apple had decided not to pay artists, writers or producers during the three month trial period offered to new users.

"We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation," she wrote.

Cue tweeted: "We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple."

Swift was quick to come back with a tweet expressing her relief. "I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us," she wrote.

In an interview with Re/code, Cue said that Swift’s letter and complaints from other artists had led to the policy change.

Cue said he discussed the about-face with Apple CEO Tim Cook today. "It’s something we worked on together. Ultimately we both wanted to make the change," he said.