Spotify reports having 406 million active monthly users, up nearly 20% from last year, and advertising has grown largely because of podcasting.
JOE ROGAN SPOTIFY SCANDAL LICENSE
Spotify, which reportedly paid over $100 million to license Rogan’s podcast, said previously that it would soon add a warning to all podcasts that discuss COVID-19, directing listeners to factual, up-to-date information from scientists and public health experts.Įk said in his letter that he was committing $100 million to license and develop music and other audio projects from historically marginalized communities. Looking at the issue more broadly, it’s critical thinking and open debate that powers real and necessary progress,” Ek wrote. “We should have clear lines around content and take action when they are crossed, but cancelling voices is a slippery slope. The company seems caught by surprise by Neil Young’s refusal to share a platform with Rogan, by India. Grammy-winning artist India.Arie posted it on her Instagram, using the hashtag #DeleteSpotify. Harris: Spotify is now dealing with a crisis of confidence with its stakeholders that has to be managed, to be sure, but the emergence of these explosive issues indicates a governance failure behind the scenes. Musician Neil Young asked to have his music removed because of concerns about COVID-19 misinformation and other artists followed suit, including Joni Mitchell and Roxane Gay.Ĭriticism intensified when a video compilation emerged last week showing Rogan repeatedly using racial slurs. For Spotify, Rogans podcast is a cash cow: It reaches an estimated 11 million listeners per episode, making it the streaming services most popular podcast-and its. Until Ek’s letter to employees was revealed, it was unclear how Spotify would respond to the latest scandal involving Rogan, who has faced scrutiny for nearly two weeks for promoting vaccine skepticism. The CEO said that he is also committing an "incremental investment of $100 million" for the licensing, development, and marketing of music and audio content from historically marginalised groups in an effort to elevate the platforms of underrepresented communities.Ek apologized to employees for the impact the controversy is having on them. In Rogans podcast, Malone said that vaccination increases the risk of re-infection for those who have already. "We should have clear lines around content and take action when they are crossed, but cancelling voices is a slippery slope," he told his staff. Dwayne The Rock Johnson voiced support for Joe Rogan as the podcast host faces mounting criticism amid a Spotify scandal involving several musicians. The scandal related to music streaming service Spotify started after Joe Rogan, an American comedian and podcast superstar with an audience of 11 million, released an episode on the platform with anti-vaccine virologist Robert Malone.
However, the CEO stressed that while he strongly condemns Rogan's remarks in some of his episodes, he said he does not believe that "silencing Joe is the answer," before reiterating that the company is not the publisher of the podcast show. "I know this situation leaves many of you feeling drained, frustrated and unheard."Īccording to Ek, Rogan's comments and offensive remarks in his podcast do not represent the values of the company, adding that the commentator has already decided to remove a number of episodes over "racially insensitive language." Spotify CEO addresses Joe Rogan controversy In February, artists such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell told Spotify to pull their music from the platform because of Covid comments made on Rogan’s. "There are no words I can say to adequately convey how deeply sorry I am for the way The Joe Rogan Experience controversy continues to impact each of you," said Ek in the memo obtained by Variety.