Jay-Z, Kanye Release Plans Upset Indie Store Owners

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Scores of independent record store owners are calling out Jay-Z and Kanye West over release plans for their much-anticipated "Watch the Throne" collaboration.

Owners signed a letter that calls the exclusive deals with iTunes and Best Buy "bad news" and asks two of music's top stars to reconsider and allow more than 1,700 indie retailers equal access.

"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," the letter states. "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."

Exclusive deals are now common for top acts and it's unclear why the letter's original writers, the organizers of Record Store Day, chose this project to object. Doyle Davis, co-owner of Grimey's New and Preloved Music in Nashville, said some of the letter's signees will pull current and previous releases by the two artists from their shelves, though he will not go that far.

Jay-Z and West have agreed to give iTunes customers access to "Watch the Throne" on Aug. 8, four days ahead of everyone else. And Best Buy will exclusively sell a deluxe album till Aug. 23 when other retailers will have access.

Jay-Z's spokesman had no comment and West's did not immediately reply to an email from The Associated Press.

Record Store Day has become something of a holiday for independent retailers each April. This year, dozens of artists provided exclusive vinyl, performances and other perks.

Fans lined up, sometimes hours early and around the block, to score new music from acts like Radiohead and The White Stripes. Independent stores have suffered a marked decline over the last decade, casualties of the ascendance of box stores, digital music sales and a poor economy.

Now they say they just want a fighting chance.

"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 states.

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AP Music Editor Nekesa Mumbi Moody contributed to this report.

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Contact Chris Talbott at . http://www.twitter.com/Chris_Talbott

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Online:

http://www.rocnation.com/jayz

http://www.kanyewest.com

Comments

[wassabi3333]

10:36 AM on 08/01/2011

I've been a fan of both, Jay-Z quite a bit longer! I listen to your stuff all the time. But this is just crappy!! They are both filthy rich, and thanks mostly to all these small shops that have been selling J's and Closet Kanye's music for years. Now, because the bottom line gets bigger if you go thru I-tunes, you are willing to sell out your supporters!! Sick. Maybe they did sell their soul to the devil after all, because looks like money is all they care about!!!

[Gronkie]

09:51 AM on 07/31/2011

As an ex-record industry executive, I have to say that I didn't know that there were many indy record stores left, and the article cites "scores" of them. Well, more power to them. Artists who cut the indies out of their release plans should be dropped from the indies' inventories altogether. Let them survive on the fickle patronage of a Best Buy customer.

[ronarulz782]

08:08 PM on 07/29/2011

hear hear. Give small businesses a chance, esp in this economy.

[Fletch55]

12:39 PM on 07/29/2011

To my indie stores.This is a good thing people like Kanye and Jay-z will be why music dies. Do the same boycott major label artists and go out and support your local indie artists. Help promote them, sell their music, bring them into the local busniess community and lets stop the major label basterdization of msuic and take it back with some pride.

[Milwaukeetj1]

12:25 PM on 07/29/2011

Same concept as.....when you were poor and broke in the 80's was Dolce & Gabbana/Versace/Louis Vuttton trying to sell you something or cater to you? Heck no, but these very shops let you promote mix tapes and parties and dj's. They were like schools of music.

[Milwaukeetj1]

12:21 PM on 07/29/2011

I don't think they are necessarily mad @ them. Fact of the matter is remember your roots. It's these very shops that they grew up in, or maybe bought music from when they were younger. Those shops are the staple of the hip-hop/music community.

[Pete Marriott]

08:28 AM on 07/29/2011

I'm not touching this one for political reasons. Have your fun with this one folks.

[kooosh]

07:57 AM on 07/29/2011

I guess people who don't want/have itunes and/or don't shop at Best Buy will just download it for free and decide later if they want to pay for it.

[Yam716]

12:11 PM on 07/29/2011

There ya go!

[Shiva Amina]

12:44 PM on 07/29/2011

I'll raise a toast to that one!