Taylor Takes On Apple And Wins...

Taylor Swift has proved just how formidable she is last weekend, by getting Apple Music to change its policy on paying artists that it features on its streaming platform during the first three-month trial.
The saga started on Thursday when it was revealed that Swift's much-lauded 1989 album would not appear on Apple Music. On Sunday, the award-winning star took to her Tumblr page to explain why in an open letter entitled "To Apple, Love Taylor".
"I feel this deserves an explanation because Apple has been and will continue to be one of my best partners in selling music and creating ways for me to connect with my fans. I respect the company and the truly ingenious minds that have created a legacy based on innovation and pushing the right boundaries," wrote Swift. "I'm sure you are aware that Apple Music will be offering a free three-month trial to anyone who signs up for the service. I'm not sure you know that Apple Music will not be paying writers, producers, or artists for those three months. I find it to be shocking, disappointing, and completely unlike this historically progressive and generous company."
Swift was keen to point out that her letter was not the "complaints of a spoiled, petulant child," but rather aired the "sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly because we admire and respect Apple so much". She also pointed out that she was standing up for the lesser-known artists in the world, that would not be able to support themselves for three months unpaid.
"Thankfully I am on my fifth album and can support myself, my band, crew, and entire management team by playing live shows. This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field, but will not get paid for a quarter of a year's worth of plays on his or her songs."
 Apple senior executive Eddy Cue responded to Swift's letter on Twitter, telling the singer, "We hear you @taylorswift13 and indie artists. Love, Apple," and by Monday announced that the company had changed its policy.
"When I woke up this morning and saw what Taylor had written, it really solidified that we needed a change. And so that's why we decide we will now pay artists during the trial period," Cue told Billboard, continuing, "I let [Swift] know that we heard her concerns and are making the changes. We have a long relationship with Taylor so I wanted her to hear directly from us."
Taylor responded to the decision by tweeting: "I am elated and relieved. Thank you for your words of support today. They listened to us."
Original story by Vogue.