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Last week, Spotify removed R. Kelly and XXXTentacion from its popular playlists as part of the platforms new anti-hate policy.
As we previously reported, artists who exhibit “egregious” behavior or promote “violence against a group or individual” are liable to get dropped from Spotify’s popular playlist curation. Since the news broke, both parties had their management respond to the move asking if other artists who have only been accused and not convicted of sexual misconduct will also have their music taken down.
More recently, the women’s rights organization UltraViolet has penned an open letter to Spotify’s CEO, Daniel Ek, applauding him for the removal of R. Kelly and X’s music but they want Daniel to take it one step further by going after other artists such as Chris Brown, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nelly, Eminem, Don Henley, Steven Tyler, and 6ix9ine.
“Thank you for taking the important first step of removing infamous abusers R. Kelly and XXXTentacion from your official playlists,” the letter reads. “Your action demonstrates that Spotify is following the lead of Black women who demanded that these two men, who have sexually and physically abused women for years, not be promoted and celebrated.”
The letter continues: “Every time a famous individual continues to be glorified despite allegations of abuse, we wrongly perpetuate silence by showing survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence that there will be no consequences for abuse. That has a cultural effect far beyond one individual artist”
Of course, we want to hear your Spotify thoughts. Let us know what you think in the comments below.