Apple Music exclusives: Pharrell single and Eminem interview

In response to Tidal and the exclusive content it offers customers, Apple has announced that the Pharrell Williams single, Freedom, will only be available through the Apple Music streaming service.

The single was used as the soundtrack in the first Apple Music advert, which ended with “June 30. Only on Apple Music.”

The singer/songwriter was responsible for 2014’s biggest hit Happy, from the film Despicable Me 2.

MORE: Apple Music streaming service - everything you need to know

Meanwhile, Beats 1 DJ Zane Lowe, who was snapped up from BBC Radio 1, has posted an image of himself with rapper Eminem, and confirmed that he will be the first artist to be interviewed on the radio station.

Eminem is a long-time friend of Beats co-founder Dr Dre, and is signed to his record label Aftermath Entertainment.

Other confirmed big name acts include Elton John, Disclosure and Drake.

On top of this exclusive content, Apple is hoping to lure potential subscribers by offering a free three month trial. Apple initially planned not to pay artists for songs streamed during this period, but altered its policy after pop star Taylor Swift wrote a blog post criticising the music giant.

Sources: Music Business Worldwide; MacRumours and The New York Times

Max Langridge

Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.

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