Music streaming service Tidal has taken the lead in the U.S. App Store rankings after securing an exclusive deal to feature Kanye West's newest album "The Life of Pablo."
While the album was also intended to be available for purchase through West's own website, the rapper and music mogul revealed through a tweet on Sunday that he has decided to pull it from his site.
This means that Tidal would become the only service where fans could listen to tracks from "The Life of Pablo" for at least another week until the new album hits iTunes.
West is believed to be a shareholder in Tidal through his close friend and fellow rapper Jay-Z, who owns the music streaming service.
West called on his fans and "all music lovers" to subscribe to Tidal to listen to his new album. His decision to make "The Life of Pablo" exclusive to the service helped make it the number one downloaded iTunes app in less than 24 hours after the announcement.
Please for all music lovers. Please subscribe to tidal!!! I decided not to sell my album for another week. Please subscribe to tidal.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) February 14, 2016
While the high number of downloads does not necessarily mean a bump in Tidal's subscriptions, this gives off the impression that many of West's fans seem to be eager to listen to his latest tracks. They are expected to at least provide a credit card and check out the free trial of the album through Tidal.
Tidal's positive performance in the U.S. App Store rankings is a welcomed development for the company, especially after being blasted by complaints from West's fans who claimed that the service's live video stream of the rapper's Season 3 fashion show and album launched last week was malfunctioning.
Aside from West, other artists who chose to enter an exclusive streaming deal with Tidal for their music include Beyoncé and Rihanna.
"The Life of Pablo" is West's seventh solo LP album and the first major release since "Yeezus" in 2013. It had various titles throughout its production including "SWISH," "Waves" and "So Help Me God."
The rapper unveiled the new album, as well as the latest season of his clothing line, at a fashion show held at the Madison Square Garden on Saturday.
