Can Tidal Make a Splash?

Setting out to change the course of the entire music industry, New York rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z launched a new music streaming service called Tidal. Jay Z and several other artists, including Kanye West, Daft Punk, and Jack White, were not pleased with the way they have been compensated by other streaming services, such as Spotify and Pandora. Tidal gives artists the opportunity to receive proper compensation, and it also allows artists to give high quality audio and video content directly to fans. To bring in more subscribers, some artists will create exclusive content for Tidal. The major downside to this service is the cost. It is far more expensive than its competitors. After a less than stellar launch, Jay Z wants to blame a smear campaign by big corporations, such as Apple. Jay Z is still positive that this business venture will end up being a good idea because he knows that it will take time to have the same success as Spotify or Apple.

Many people who don’t like the idea of Tidal argue that “these artists are too rich anyway” and “they don’t need anymore money.” Fans paying for music is far more meaningful to artists than money in their pocket. Purchasing music tells an artist that you support them, and it tells the music industry that you think an artist’s product is worth your money. This is why I’m concerned about potential exclusive content on Tidal. It could cause people to resort to pirating music, and that certainly would not be good for artists or music in general.

-AP

Article: http://bgr.com/2015/04/27/jay-z-tidal-vs-spotify-pandora/
Picture: http://www.complex.com/style/2015/03/tidal-press-conference-style-ranking/

Nebraska Teens Beware

In my first blog post about something other than hockey (which I’ll more than likely resume writing about next week), I’d like to bring your attention to a bill recently advanced by Nebraska legislators. Legislative Bill 599 was created to lower the minimum wage for teenage workers. When the minimum wage for the rest of the state increases to $9 an hour on January 1 of next year, the wage for high school students would remain at $8 per hour. The lawmakers defending LB 599 claim it is a revision of the law that raised the minimum wage. Its main purpose is supposedly to help small businesses stay afloat because this would allow them to hire more workers for less cost.

I find it very upsetting that a bill like was created and is actually gaining progress. It essentially says that my work isn’t as valuable as someone else’s work simply because of my age, which is blatant ageism.  What I find most disturbing about LB 599 is what it would do to teens who are in a worse financial situation than myself. Some high school age kids need their wage to support themselves and their family. Many students use their income to save for college, and if LB 599 becomes law, it would make it far more difficult  for these students to afford higher education.

-AP

Article: http://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/lawmakers-advance-exemption-for-high-schoolers-to-new-minimum-wage/article_6932289f-64cc-5e8e-8c69-6bd17420671d.html

Presidents' Day in New York

    Each NHL season, the Presidents’ trophy is awarded to the team with the best record in the regular season. The winning club receives a flashy cup, but more importantly, they gain a home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. A season after becoming Eastern Conference champions, the New York Rangers have clinched the Presidents’ Trophy for the third time in franchise history. The team reached this achievement with 4-2 win over their rival, the New Jersey Devils. Coach Alain Vigneault recognizes how important this feat is for their aspirations in the postseason; he is aware the the season will ultimately be judged by what the group accomplishes in the playoffs. The last time the Rangers won the Presidents’ trophy, in 1994, the club went on to win the Stanley Cup ending a 54 year drought. Twenty-one years later, they have their sights set on claiming the Stanley Cup once again. My opinion doesn’t mean much, but I have no doubt that the Rangers should be the favorite going into this year’s playoffs.

Whenever a team clinches the Presidents’ Trophy, the focus immediately shifts to the dreaded curse of said trophy. Due to superstitions, many fans doubt the team will be able to succeed in the playoffs, despite their impressive record. I think most superstitions are ridiculous, but I find this one particularly absurd. The data shows that winning the Presidents’ Trophy typically means good fortune in the playoffs. While it definitely doesn’t guarantee a championship, a majority of teams make it to the Conference Finals or further. The Stanley Cup playoffs is the most exciting time of the year for me. In any game or series, anything can happen. It’s like being on the edge of my seat at every moment for three months, and I love every second of it.

-AP

Article: http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/07/rangers-clinch-presidents-trophy/

Picture from: http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2015/4/8/8368299/the-presidents-trophy-is-an-achievement-worth-celebrating

Massa Magic

Sunday, March 29, in South Bend, Indiana, the University of Nebraska Omaha hockey team was able to accomplish something that had never been done in school history. With a 4-0 win over Rochester Institute of Technology, they earned a trip to compete in the Frozen Four in Boston. This win came a day after a 4-1 victory over Harvard, which was another first for the program. Prior to this, they had never won a game in the NCAA hockey tournament. The weekend was highlighted by two phenomenal performances from senior goalie Ryan Massa, who only allowed a single goal from Harvard, while making 73 saves between the two games. The Mavericks have the opportunity to take down Providence on April 9th, and if they are successful, they will have to play either Boston University or North Dakota in the championship game.

All the excitement surrounding the UNO hockey team actually feels very strange to me. In Omaha, people are rarely interested in hockey because they have Bluejay basketball and Husker football to watch. As a hockey fan, neither of these teams are of much interest to me. Historically, it has been difficult being a hockey fan in Omaha. Our local teams have rarely had outstanding seasons, but when they are successful, they are met with disinterest from the community. While the Mavericks do have many loyal fans, they still have not won over the community as a whole. My hope is that victory in the Frozen Four will create many new hockey fans in Omaha. A national championship coming to our community would be hard to ignore.

- AP

Article and Picture from: http://www.startribune.com/sports/297952971.html