Spotify Plans to Restore XXXTentacion’s Music in Light of Outcry
Spotify is reforming its latest move to reprimand artists for their personal misconduct, starting with rapper XXXTentacion.
On May 10, the streaming giant announced it would be removing R. Kelly and the Floridian emcee's music from its curated playlists and discovery algorithms due to their continuous allegations of sexual and domestic abuse. The decision emerged as part of the company's new hate content and hateful conduct policy.
According to reps privy to the matter, however, the company expects to return XXXTentacion's music to the platform in light of outcry from artists, listeners, and even Spotify's own agents due to the polarizing policy.
As of Thursday (May 24), Spotify has been consulting with civil rights activists and members of the music industry to revise their precepts in a way that is just for everyone.
In reference to the specification, reported by Bloomberg, among the entertainers to voice their disapproval of the rule was rapper Kendrick Lamar, whose reps supposedly threatened to withdraw the “Humble” star’s music from the program if the policy prevailed.
Still, advocates of the move like Shaunna Thomas, the executive director of the women's advocacy group Ultraviolet, applauded the company's action to "remove infamous abusers" in an open letter.
"Thank you for taking the important first step of removing infamous abusers R. Kelly and XXXTentacion from your official playlists," Thomas wrote. "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."
As of late, Spotify has made no plans to promote R. Kelly's music again.