Jimmy Iovine Opens Up About Apple's Role in Kanye West and Frank Ocean's Album Releases

Jimmy Iovine is doing big things with Apple's streaming service Apple Music, and he recently sat down with The New York Times to discuss the changing musical landscape and the role Apple is playing in it.

The company made some waves in the industry by partnering with Frank Ocean, who ended up pulling a fast one on Universal and releasing his album Blonde independently through Apple Music. According to Iovine, Apple wasn't out to hurt the label. "We wanted to work with Frank Ocean," he said. "We had a deal—we were working with Frank Ocean, and he controlled where his music came out. Why would it be in our interest to be part of a fast one, a slow one or any one? We were getting the record no matter what. Whatever happened with him and Universal is really between him and Universal. It has nothing to do with us. Nothing."

He also reflected on Kanye West's release of The Life of Pablo through Tidal instead of Apple Music. "He was part of Jay’s thing and chose to make a deal with his friend, and I respect that," Iovine said. "I kind of felt like it was going to happen before it did. Jay Z and Kanye—that’s a very natural thing for them to work together. Everybody moves on. You try to do the best with what you’ve got and ignore everything else. That’s why horses get blinders in horse racing: You look at the horse next to you, and you lose a step."

Iovine denied any beef with Jay Z's Tidal. "I see Jay all the time. I want him to do great. There was never one record company. When I produced records, I used to ask Quincy [Jones] to come in and help me. We are competitors, yes. But as far as anything more, absolutely not," he said. They also discuss the selling power of Drake, Adele, Chance the Rapper, and more. You can check out the whole interview here.