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Spotify Says It Will NOT Remove Kanye West’s Music After His Anti-Semitic Outbursts Because His Songs’ Lyrics Are Not Offensive
- Spotify said it wouldn’t remove Kanye West’s music after his anti-Semitic outbursts because his music doesn’t violate the platform’s rules
- Companies began boycotting the musician who claims to be the ‘richest black man in the world’ after the rapper made a series of anti-Semitic comments
- Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said the comments are ‘terrible’ but were not made on the platform itself – don’t remove West’s content unless his label asks
- Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Def Jam label, which holds the copyright to West’s recordings from 2002 to 2016, condemned West’s comments
- His music is still readily available on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music
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Music streaming service Spotify said it would not remove Kanye West’s music unless his label asked – after companies around the world cut ties with the rapper.
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said: Reuters West’s sick comments are “just awful comments,” but confirmed that his music would not be removed because his songs are not offensive.
Companies began boycotting the musician – who claims to be the “richest black man in the world” – after the rapper made a series of anti-Semitic comments.
West has blamed “Jewish media” and “Jewish Zionists” for a number of violations that threatened to “death con 3 on Jewish People” on social media.
Ek said, “It’s really just his music, and his music doesn’t violate our policies.
“It’s up to his label whether they want to take action or not.”
Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Def Jam label, which copyrighted West’s recordings from 2002 to 2016, and continued to distribute his releases until last year, issued a statement condemning West.
They tweeted: ‘There is no place for anti-Semitism in our society. We are strongly committed to combating anti-Semitism and any other form of prejudice.”
Last week, rolling stone reported that West was no longer signed to Def Jam and that he no longer appears on their website.
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek (pictured) said it wouldn’t remove Kanye West’s music unless his label asked
Companies began boycotting West (pictured), who claims to be the ‘richest black man in the world’ after the rapper made a series of anti-Semitic comments
Ek said those comments are “awful” but said the comments weren’t made on the platform itself and wouldn’t remove his content unless his label asked for it
West has released 138 singles, four promotional singles and charted with 65 other songs.
His music is still readily available on Apple Music and YouTube Music.
While there is no clear indication of his music becoming a hit on streaming platforms Billboard reports that after Instagram and Twitter made the decision earlier this month to restrict West’s accounts, the rapper and designer’s radio play dropped 21.1 percent.
After his 2021 album Donda, West, who has spent most of his career with the Def Jam label, completed his deal and was free to make music deals elsewhere.
West’s reputation as an agitator has been part of his brand throughout his career, as evidenced by a public feud with Taylor Swift, Drake and reality star and ex-partner Kim Kardashian.
West (right) apologized in an interview with Piers Morgan (left) only after citing conspiracies about Jewish people.
Universal Music Group’s (UMG) Def Jam label, which holds the copyright to West’s recordings from 2002 to 2016, condemned West’s comments
As of July 2022, West became one of only seven artists in the United States to be certified for more than 100 million digital singles by the Recording Industry Association of America have sold 133 million certified digital units as a solo artist.
West’s reputation as an agitator has been part of his brand throughout his career, as evidenced by a public feud with Taylor Swift, Drake and reality star and ex-partner Kim Kardashian.
Fans denounced West after he claimed that “slavery is a choice” and claimed George Floyd died of a drug overdose and not at the hands of a former Minneapolis cop – Floyd’s family is considering suing the artist.
The latest series of race-related controversies began in early October and saw the likes of Adidas, Balenciaga team up with the rapper.
In an interview with Piers Morgan, West only offered what has been described as a “reluctant” apology after citing conspiracies about Jewish people.
The racially motivated controversies started earlier this month when he and conservative commentator Candace Owens wore tops that read White Lives Matter at a Paris Fashion Week showcase for his Yeezy line.