Kanye West: Spotify CEO reacts to rumours rapper’s music could be removed from streaming platform
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Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has explained why Kanye West’s music will not be removed from the platform.
In recent days, the rapper has been dropped by Adidas, Balenciaga andVogue magazine due to antisemitic comments he made earlier this month. His Madame Tussauds waxwork has also been moved to an archive.
West’s talent agency CAA has also cut ties with him, with film company MCR saying it would refuse to distribute a recently completed documentary about the rapper, too. He has refused to apologise for the offence he’s caused.
However, despite calls to remove his music from Spotify, Ek has said that, while West’s comments were “awful”, songs by the artist, who is legally known as Ye, will remain available for subscribers.
“It’s really just his music, and his music doesn’t violate our policy,” Ek told Reuters, adding: “It’s up to his label, if they want to take action or not.”
Ek explained that, if West had made antisemitic comments in a song or a podcast, then it would have not have been uploaded to Spotify.
West’s label, Def Jam, commented: “There is no place for antisemitism in our society,” but did not announce any plans to remove his music from Spotify.
According to Forbes magazine, West’s net worth dropped from $2bn (£1.74bn) to $400m (£348m) overnight after he was dropped by Adidas.
