Neil Young (l) criticized Joe Rogan’s popular podcast
Spotify is going to remove Neil Young’s music from the streaming service, Young and Spotify say. This happens after complaints from Young (76) about disinformation about the corona virus, which, according to the singer, is spread via the platform.
The Canadian singer-songwriter wrote this week in an open letter to his management and record label that the streaming service must choose between his music or the podcast of American presenter and comedian Joe Rogan (54).
that podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience (JRE), has been discredited several times after Rogan questioned the effectiveness of vaccines. He also promoted ivermectin, a drug against parasites, for the treatment of Covid-19. And Rogan said that young people do not need to be vaccinated, which he later nuanced.
lies for money
“Spotify has become the home of life-threatening misinformation about Covid,” says Young. “Lies that are sold for money.” Young, known for songs such as Heart of Gold and Old Man, thanked his record label, “which continues to support my decision to remove all my music from Spotify”. He called on other artists to do the same. Young has over six million monthly listeners.
The streaming service has therefore not chosen Young at the expense of Rogan. In 2020, it closed a deal with Rogan, so that his podcast can only be heard and seen there. According to American media, the streaming platform has paid more than 100 million dollars for this.
Podcasts removed
Spotify said it has already removed more than 20,000 episodes of podcasts about coronavirus. The company says it hopes Young will come back from his decision. “We regret Neil’s decision to remove his music from Spotify and hope to welcome him back soon.”
Neil Young is not alone in criticizing the JRE. This month, 270 scientists and medical professionals signed a letter calling on Spotify to take action against Rogan.
