Since Spotify removed R. Kelly and the rapper XXXTentacion from its playlist, the teams of both artists have responded and both have accused the company of discrimination.
Earlier this week, Spotify pulled Kelly’s music from its editorial and algorithmic playlists to adhere to its new new Hate Content and Hate Conduct policy. XXX’s name was also mentioned in the company’s announcement since he’s been hit with charges relating to torture, kidnapping and sexual assault.
Between both artists Kelly’s statement arrived first, and a representative said Spotify is being hypocritical for promoting other artists who’ve either been accused or charged of committing crimes against women.
“Spotify has the right to promote whatever music it chooses, and in this case its actions are without merit,” Kelly’s statement read. “Meanwhile, though, Spotify promotes numerous other artists who are convicted felons, others who have been arrested on charges of domestic violence and artists who sing lyrics that are violent and anti-women in nature.”
However, XXX took his charge of discrimination once step further and listed the artists who he feels shouldn’t be promoted if he can’t be, people like Gene Simmons, the front man for the rock band Kiss, Ozzy Osbourne, James Brown and Nelly.
Afterward, there were some people who agreed with the rapper’s point since he hasn’t been convicted of any of the charges yet.
“But since when is Spotify a judge? one Twitter user asked. “People that are maybe innocent are going to pay for something they didn’t even do. And if they want to play it like this, hopefully they are going to remove every rappers and artists that are concerned and that’s a lot.
“It’s not like the music is being removed from the whole service, they’re just taking them off the playlists,” one person shot back. “And while they aren’t a judge, a company can 100 percent choose their own policies.”
A couple of famous people weighed in as well, like 50 Cent who flat out disagreed with Spotify’s decision. Meanwhile, Top Dawg Entertainment’s president Terrence “Punch” Henderson said the company should’ve held open talks before creating the ban.
You can see 50 and Henderson’s tweets below, as well as XXX’s full statement.
a response from XXXTentacion’s team on Spotify’s decision to remove him from playlists pic.twitter.com/ivtEDJ2yGS
— Joe Coscarelli (@joecoscarelli) May 10, 2018
Spotify is wrong for what there doing to artist like R Kelly and xxxtentacion. There not even convicted of any thing.
— 50cent (@50cent) May 10, 2018
Whoa. Are they censoring the music? That’s dangerous.
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) May 10, 2018
Yea that’s a super sensitive topic. A conversation needs to be had. It’s way too many variables.
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) May 10, 2018
