Comment on Jay Z leads stars in rebranded Tidal streaming service

New York (AFP) - Rap mogul Jay Z on Monday launched the rebranded Tidal music streaming service with major star backing, hoping to shake up the growing industry through high sound quality and artist control.With veiled swipes at streaming leader Spotify, Jay Z brought out musicians including Madonna, Kanye West and the masked electronic duo Daft Punk, who will all be equity partners in the new Tidal.Jay Z earlier this year bought Tidal, which markets itself to audiophiles, by spending $56 million for its Swedish-listed parent company Aspiro.At the announcement in New York, singer Alicia Keys hinted that some musicians could choose to release material exclusively or early on the artist-owned service."Tidal is dedicated to cultivating a sound business enterprise that promotes the health and sustainability of our art and our industry around the world," Keys said."We believe it is in everyone's interest -- fans, artists and the industry as a whole -- to preserve the value of music and to ensure a healthy and robust industry for years to come." Tidal released a promotional video in which musicians accused unnamed streaming companies of treating them as mere commercial products."They are the carrier; we are the artists.