Joe Rogan introduces fighters during the UFC 269 ceremonial weigh-in
(Picture: Getty Images)The head of Spotify has rejected calls to ban Joe Rogan from its platform despite removing dozens of podcast episodes.
Joe Rogan, 54, signed a deal worth a reported $100 million (£77million) to move his podcast to Spotify in 2020.
But the platform recently took down 113 episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience after several musicians complained about his alleged promotion of antivax views.
Chief executive Daniel Ek has warned “cancelling voices is a slipper slope” as he reiterated his refusal to “silence” the podcaster.
In an email sent to staff seen by The Hollywood Reporter, he wrote: “I want to make one point very clear — I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer. We should have clear lines around content and take action when they are crossed, but cancelling voices is a slippery slope...
“Not only are some of Joe Rogan’s comments incredibly hurtful – I want to make clear that they do not represent the values of this company. I know this situation leaves many of you feeling drained, frustrated and unheard.”
The Standard has approached Spotify for further comment.
Spotify was embroiled in controversy when Neil Young and Joni Mitchell removed their music from the streaming platform in protest at a Rogan episode which they said featured Covid misinformation.
Rogan faced further scrutiny in recent days after a video emerged of him using racial slurs.
Musician India Arie said she would remove her work from Spotify because she did not want her music to generate revenue that would be used to pay Rogan.
"He shouldn’t even be uttering the word," she said.
In the wake of the headlines, Rogan has apologised for using the N-word in a resurfaced clip which he said were “the most regretful and shameful thing I’ve ever had to talk about publicly.”
In a video posted on Instagram on Saturday, Rogan said: “There’s a compilation made of clips, taken out of context, of me of 12 years of conversations on my podcast. It’s all smooshed together and it looks f***ing horrible, even to me.”
“I know for most people there’s no context where a white person is allowed to say that word – and I agree with that now,” he added.
“I haven’t said it for years. But for a long time, when I would bring that word up, instead of saying the N-word, I’d just say the word. I thought as long as it was in context people would understand what I was doing.”
