Rapper, Kanye West, a key player in JAY-Z's Tidal stable, has left the company over a money dispute and Tidal has threatened to sue him, while Kanye threatens to sue the company back.


TMZ was told Kanye has been unhappy with the company for a long time. Kanye has complained the company owes him money -- more than $3 million.

"A month ago Kanye's lawyer sent a letter to Tidal, saying the company was in breach and the contract was terminated. Over the next two weeks lawyers for both sides tried to resolve the conflict but failed. Two weeks ago Kanye's lawyer fired off a second letter declaring again the contract was over. Kanye's decision to split from Tidal predates the release of Jay Z's album in which he trashes Kanye, he had no advance knowledge of Jay's lyrics.

"Kanye's beef with Tidal is twofold as his The Life of Pablo album resulted in 1 1/2 million new subscribers to Tidal, for which he was supposed to get a bonus but the company hasn't paid. Kanye also says Tidal reneged on reimbursing him for music videos.

"Tidal's position is that Kanye didn't deliver the videos required by the contract. Kanye's response ... I'll deliver the videos when you pay me what I'm owed.

"Tidal fired off a letter to Kanye, saying as far as the company was concerned it still had an exclusive contract with the rapper and if he tried to go to another streaming service they'd sue him. Kanye's willing to walk away, but if Tidal sues him, he'll sue them right back," TMZ learnt.