Spotify Confirms It Won't Remove Racist Kanye West - Noise11.com
Kanye West photo by Ros O'Gorman

Kanye West photo by Ros O'Gorman

Spotify Confirms It Won’t Remove Racist Kanye West

by Music-News.com on October 27, 2022

in News

Spotify boss Daniel Ek has confirmed that Kanye West’s back catalogue won’t be removed from the music streaming service following his controversial behaviour.

The racist rapper has lost a number of brand deals and business partnerships because of the antisemitic remarks he has repeatedly made on social media and in interviews.

Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, Ek explained that West’s music does not violate their anti-hate policies and so his songs will remain on the platform.

“It’s really just his music, and his music doesn’t violate our policy,” he explained. “It’s up to his label, if they want to take action or not.”

And if his label asked for the rapper’s work to be removed, Ek’s team would “respect their wishes”.

Ek added that if the 45-year-old made his “awful comments” on a podcast or a recording, they would have been pulled from Spotify for violating its policies.

Def Jam owns the copyright to West’s recordings from 2002 until 2016 and distributed his music up until last year. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, they took a stand against hate speech but made no comment about removing West’s songs.

“Def Jam’s relationship with Ye as a recording artist, Def Jam’s partnership with the GOOD Music label venture and Ye’s merchandise agreement with Bravado all ended in 2021,” Def Jam representatives said. “There is no place for antisemitism in our society. We are deeply committed to combating antisemitism and every other form of prejudice.”

West has lost his partnerships with Adidas and Balenciaga and has been dropped by his talent agency as a result of the controversy.

His back catalogue can also still be found on Apple Music and YouTube Music.

music-news.com

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

YouTube video player

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

Patrick Walden of Babyshambes from Babyshambles socials
Babyshambles Guitarist Patrick Walden Dead at 46

Patrick Walden, the guitarist for UK band Babyshambles, has died at the age of 46. The cause of death has not been released at this stage.

2 days ago
British India (photo supplied Mushroom Group)
British India Premiere First Song In Eight Years ‘The Gospel of Luke’

Melbourne’s British India have reformed with their first new music in eight years and a national tour to go with it.

5 days ago
End of Fashion (supplied)
How Justin Burford Transitioned From The Sleepy Jackson Into End of Fashion

With new End of Fashion dates for August, Justin Burford explained to Noise11 how he evolved out of The Sleepy Jackson to form End of Fashion and the crossover when he was in both bands simultaneously.

5 days ago
Pete Murray by Ian Laidlaw
Pete Murray Premieres New Song ‘Home To Me’

Pete Murray has shared a new song ‘Home To Me’.

June 14, 2025
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar To Perform In Melbourne and Sydney in December 2025

Kendrick Lamar will return to Australia for the first time since 2022 for stadium dates in Melbourne and Sydney.

June 11, 2025
Tame Impala credit Matt Sav
Kevin Parker Premieres New Tame Impala Song During DJ Set

Kevin Parker aired a new Tame Impala song during a surprise DJ set at Primavera Sound at the weekend.

June 10, 2025
Taylor Swift photo by Ros O'Gorman
Taylor Swift Takes Out Restraining Order Against Fan

Taylor Swift has been granted a temporary restraining order against a Colorado man who insisted she's the mother of his child.

June 10, 2025