Graham Nash is hoping to remove his music from Spotify, joining his former bandmate Neil Young in protesting the platform for its exclusive support of The Joe Rogan Experience. “Having heard the Covid disinformation spread by Joe Rogan on Spotify, I completely agree with and support my friend, Neil Young and I am requesting that my solo recordings be removed from the service,” Nash said in a statement. He continued:
There is a difference between being open to varying viewpoints on a matter and knowingly spreading false information which some 270 medical professionals have derided as not only false but dangerous. Likewise, there is a difference between misinformation, in which one is unaware that what is being said is false, versus disinformation which is knowingly false and intended to mislead and sway public opinion. The opinions publicized by Rogan are so dishonest and unsupported by solid facts that Spotify becomes an enabler in a way that costs people their lives.
India.Arie is also looking to remove her music and podcasts from Spotify due to Rogan’s “Covid interviews,” as well as his “language around race,” likely alluding to comments Rogan made during a recent podcast episode with controversial Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson. “What I am talking about is RESPECT – who gets it and who doesn’t,” Arie wrote. “Paying musicians a Fraction of a penny? and HIM $100M? This shows the type of company they are and the company that they keep.”
Neil Young requested the removal of his music from Spotify in January, citing “fake information about vaccines—potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them.” Young’s music was removed shortly thereafter, and Joni Mitchell and Crazy Horse’s Nils Lofgren have also said their music will come off the platform. In addition, David Crosby has said he supports his former bandmate Young but can’t remove his music because he sold his catalog last year. Spotify has since added content advisories to podcasts that discuss COVID-19.
Read “In Praise of Neil Young’s Eternal Battle With the Music Industry” and “Will Neil Young and Joni Mitchell’s Departure Spark a Bigger Spotify Exodus?” on the Pitch.
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