Jay Z’s Tidal faces $20 million lawsuit from Apple Music over Drake’s charity gig

DRAKE’S appearance at a Hurricane Katrina charity concert, which was streamed on Jay Z’s Tidal music service, has upset Apple Music.

(FILES) This March 25, 2015 file photo shows Canadian rapper Aubrey Graham, aka "Drake", as he arrives for the premiere of the movie "Get Hard" at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. Drake on August 10, 2015 become the first artist to release an album this year that has sold more than one million copies in the United States, ending the latest industry drought. The Canadian rapper's "If You're Reading This It's Too Late," which he put out digitally without prior warning in February, has sold 1.007 million copies as of the week ending Friday, tracking service Nielsen Music said.Only one other album has sold more than one million copies in the United States this year -- pop superstar Taylor Swift's "1989," although it came out in 2014. AFP PHOTO/ MARK RALSTON

APPLE Music has declared war on rival streaming service Tidal over Drake’s appearance at a Hurricane Katrina charity concert.

The New York Post reports Jay Z’s Tidal music service could be sued for $US20 million if it streamed Drake’s brief, two-song appearance at Friday night’s charity show. Why? Because Drake is an Apple artist.

Apple Music executives were not happy when the Canadian rapper was confirmed to perform at Lil Wayne’s Lil Weezy Ana Fest in New Orleans Friday night, even though the festival benefits Tha Carter Fund, which supports after-school programs in Louisiana.

Lawyers were called in because the event was being streamed live via Tidal — and Drake has an exclusive deal with Apple Music said to be worth up to $US19 million. Sources say the tech giant threatened to sue for $US20 million if Drake appeared, or if his music was streamed live, on Tidal.

Rapper Drake. Picture: AFP

Lil Wayne. Picture: Cheryl Gerber / Invision

A source told Page Six: “Legal letters have been sent to Tidal warning that Drake cannot appear on the Tidal stream of the festival, either solo or part of a group, and if the warning was ignored, the liabilities could be up to $20 million.

“This event is for charity, Drake is doing two songs. Why does Apple think it can dictate to artists where and when they can perform?”

Deadmau5, Usher, Kanye West, and Jay Z at a launch event for Tidal in New York City in March. Picture: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images

Page Six reported Drake, who is still signed to Lil Wayne’s Young Money Records, jumped at the chance to perform at the sold-out festival along with Nicki Minaj and a reunion of Lil Wayne’s 1990s group, the Hot Boys.

Sources say Jay Z and Tidal executives have no choice but to cut the audio and video streaming of Drake’s appearance at the event — but they still planned on putting up a message blaming Drake’s deal with Apple for the rude interruption to fans.

When contacted by the New York Post, Apple and Tidal declined to comment. Representatives for Drake didn’t respond.