Popular digital music streaming service Spotify continues to be embroiled in controversy weeks after Rock legend Neil Young publicly condemned the platform for allowing Joe Rogan to use his podcast, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience,’ to spew what was deemed ‘misinformation’ about COVID-19.
Among those supporting Young was fellow GRAMMY winner India.Arie, who called for a boycott of the streamer after shining an even brighter spotlight on Rogan – namely his documented history of spouting racial slurs on that same show.
As a result of the negative attention, Spotify not only lost billions in market value but has also earned a wave of negative press – ongoing embattlement that led the controversial commentator to issue an apology.
And while Spotify opted to remove over 100 of Joe’s more eyebrow-raising podcasts from their platform, reps from the company opted to remain mum on the hoopla. That is, until a staff letter penned by the company’s CEO Daniel Ek was leaked to the press.
Daniel Ek, Spotify CEO
In a letter obtained by THR, Ek explained he thought Rogan’s use of the N-word and comparing a Black neighborhood to ‘Planet of the Apes’ was ‘incredibly hurtful’ but still didn’t feel the racial insensitivity was enough to boot the popular podcaster from Spotify.
“I want to make one point very clear — I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer,” Ek wrote. “We should have clear lines around content and take action when they are crossed, but canceling voices is a slippery slope.”
While there are no plans to remove all of the star’s content from the streamer (as of time reported), Daniel suggested the better remedy – per a suggestion lent by India in her now viral video – is to incrementally pay more money to ‘marginalized’ performers.
“If we believe in having an open platform as a core value of the company, then we must also believe in elevating all types of creators, including those from underrepresented communities and a diversity of backgrounds. We’ve been doing a great deal of work in this area already but I think we can do even more. So I am committing to an incremental investment of $100 million for the licensing, development, and marketing of music (artists and songwriters) and audio content from historically marginalized groups.”
Read the full letter by clicking here.
To Apple Music I go. Who would’ve predicted Spotify AND Camila Cabello would finally be in their flop eras at the same time
He’s right!
And Joe Rogan is not from underrepresented community so not really sure how this statement addresses the issue of the use of the n word and other racial slurs he openly used on his show (s***, gook etc).
I was meant to post that under my own comment
Of course he doesn’t – silencing him won’t yield a return on his $100 million investment.
And that’s all there is to be said. I also get annoyed when white people that aren’t the targets if his harmful rhetoric talk about silencing isn’t the best answer. You’re allowing racism to perpetuate on your platform how.ks THAT the answer to the problem?
I agree.
Guess Queen Bee already knew something we didn’t……Tidal or apple music now?
He didn’t have the same stance around say R Kelly now did he? No one should be allowed a platform to promote any kind of hate crimes. Seriously considering switching to another streaming service.
Then go, bye!
Bye imposter! You’re the one that needs to go! I wanna see your big ass head get small lmaooooooooooo 🚗 🤣
I’m thankful for India’s perspective. I didn’t know how the system works to pay millions to someone who doesn’t respect black people. He tried to say his repeated use of the n-word was taken out of context, but he also described a black neighborhood as being a jungle and the planet of the apes. He knows his job is safe because the people at Spotify are happy to let him profit from playing on racist tropes and stereotypes. He’s disgusting and so is Spotify.
When the story 1st broke, I wasn’t surprised OR shocked at all. Joe Rogan is theee textbook racist WM who believe only certain WM & their viewpoints are ideal.
He doesn’t care about equality nor is his core issues w/ systematic racism. There is a WAR within’ the White Community & Joe Rogan is the NEW savior, until he become compromised. You see how quickly he apologized when he thought his bag was affected.
This is how they ALL react when they love the money more.