Topline
Spotify is removing Neil Young’s music from its platform, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, following Young’s public ultimatum that the streaming service choose between him and Joe Rogan, whose popular podcast has featured inaccurate claims about Covid-19 and vaccines.
Key Facts
Young’s management Wednesday lodged a formal request with Spotify to remove Young’s music, which may take several hours to accomplish, the Journal reported, citing unnamed sources.
A Spotify spokesperson told the Journal: “We regret Neil’s decision to remove his music from Spotify, but hope to welcome him back soon.”
Spotify currently hosts over 40 of Young’s albums.
Representatives for the Joe Rogan Experience, Young and Spotify did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Key Background
In an online message first reported by Rolling Stone Monday, Young accused Spotify of “spreading fake information about vaccines” by hosting the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, remarking, “They can have Rogan or Young.” Spotify, which in 2020 struck a $100 million deal with Rogan to exclusively host his podcast, has not yet responded publicly to Young’s ultimatum. Rogan has drawn controversy in the past for repeating questionable claims about the Covid-19 vaccines. On January 12, a group of 270 doctors, scientists and educators published an open letter urging Spotify to establish a clear policy on misinformation in podcasts. The letter took aim at an episode of Rogan’s podcast featuring Dr. Robert Malone, an immunologist who has falsely claimed that Covid-19 vaccines using mRNA technology do not work.
Further Reading
“Spotify to Take Down Neil Young’s Music After His Joe Rogan Ultimatum” (Wall Street Journal)
