TIDAL, as it exists today, evolved from a company founded in 1998 in Norway named Aspiro. The individuals credited with founding this predecessor company are Jörgen Adolfsson, Christer Månsson, and Klas Hallqvist.
These three founders were all employees of a telephone company before starting Aspiro. While Aspiro initially focused on various mobile and digital services, it eventually developed into the music streaming service we know as TIDAL. Therefore, they are the key figures behind the origins of the platform.
The Origins of TIDAL: From Aspiro to Streaming
The journey of TIDAL began not as a dedicated music streaming service, but as a broader digital technology company.
- Founding: Aspiro was established in 1998 in Norway.
- Founders: The company was co-founded by:
- Jörgen Adolfsson
- Christer Månsson
- Klas Hallqvist
- Background: All three founders worked together at a telephone company prior to starting Aspiro.
- Evolution: Aspiro diversified over the years, eventually launching WIMP (WiMP Music) in 2010, a music streaming service. WIMP was the direct predecessor to TIDAL.
- Rebranding: Aspiro rebranded WiMP as TIDAL in 2014 and launched it in the US and other markets. In 2015, Aspiro was acquired by Project Panther Bidco Ltd., a company led by Jay-Z.
While Jay-Z and other artists are often associated with TIDAL due to the 2015 acquisition and their involvement in promoting the service, the original foundation of the company that would evolve into TIDAL was laid by Adolfsson, Månsson, and Hallqvist.
Key Figures in TIDAL's Early History
Here's a summary of the initial founders:
| Founder | Role | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Jörgen Adolfsson | Co-founder | Telephone Company |
| Christer Månsson | Co-founder | Telephone Company |
| Klas Hallqvist | Co-founder | Telephone Company |
Their vision in founding Aspiro set the stage for the development of the streaming technology that would eventually become TIDAL.
