We knew when Spotify announced that R. Kelly would be pulled from promoted playlists that the company had likely set off a chain reaction.
After all, there are dozens of artists still being promoted with documented histories of bad behavior.
A women’s advocacy group is calling for the removal of songs by Chris Brown, Eminem, and several other artists.
via Billboard:
Women’s advocacy group Ultraviolet is applauding Spotify’s new policy banning hate content and hateful conduct that has brought with it high profile removals of R. Kelly and XXXTentacion from curated playlists, but in an open letter published Monday (May 14) is also asking for more.
As well as R. Kelly and XXXTentacion, the letter written by Ultraviolet executive director Shaunna Thomas requests that Spotify take action against other artists who have been accused of sexual misconduct, including Chris Brown, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nelly, Eminem and others.
“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,” wrote Thomas.
She added that Spotify’s action demonstrates the company “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.”
Ultraviolet hopes the open letter will inspire other music platforms to follow in Spotify’s footsteps.
You can read the full letter at weareultraviolet.org/spotifyletter.
