Kid Rock snubs iTunes, turns to Rhapsody

Rap-rocker Kid Rock has chosen Rhapsody as the exclusive online sales venue for his music, the owner of latter party has announced. Real notes that Kid Rock's albums have not been available online in any legal manner in the past, whether for download or streaming; as of today, the artist's entire collection should be available for purchase or streaming through the subscription version of Rhapsody.

The decision is notable mainly because of Rock's outspoken dislike for the iTunes Store, in spite of its prominence as the most financially successful music download site. His most recent album, Rock N Roll Jesus, has nevertheless sold over 1.7 million copies, which the Wall Street Journal observes is an impressive figure in a world of deteriorating CD sales. Many parties are said to be irritated with the restrictions of iTunes, which can include DRM, an insistence of selling tracks separately, and pressure to offer exclusivity in exchange for advertising on the iTunes homepage [via Macnn].