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*A rep for R. Kelly has responded to Spotify’s announcement Thursday that it is removing his music from its editorial and algorithmic playlists as part of its updated policy toward hate content and hateful conduct.
As previously reported, the streaming service said in a statement: “We are removing R. Kelly’s music from all Spotify owned and operated playlists and algorithmic recommendations such as Discover Weekly. His music will still be available on the service, but Spotify will not actively promote it. We don’t censor content because of an artist’s or creator’s behavior, but we want our editorial decisions – what we choose to program – to reflect our values. When an artist or creator does something that is especially harmful or hateful, it may affect the ways we work with or support that artist or creator.”
In response, a rep for Kelly said in a statement:
We appreciate Spotify for continuing to make R. Kelly’s songs accessible to millions of people, although it will stop listing his songs on its official playlists. Spotify is adopting a new ‘Hate Content & Hateful Conduct’ policy. R Kelly never has been accused of hate, and the lyrics he writes express love and desire.
Mr. Kelly for 30 years has sung songs about his love and passion for women. He is innocent of the false and hurtful accusations in the ongoing smear campaign against him, waged by enemies seeking a payoff. He never has been convicted of a crime, nor does he have any pending criminal charges against him.
Spotify has the right to promote whatever music it chooses, and in this case its actions are without merit. It is acting based on false and unproven allegations. It is bowing to social-media fads and picking sides in a fame-seeking dispute over matters that have nothing to do with serving customers.
Meanwhile, though, Spotify promotes numerous other artists who are convicted felons, others who have been arrested on charges of domestic violence and artists who sing lyrics that are violent and anti-women in nature.
Mr. Kelly falls into none of these categories, and it is unfortunate and shortsighted that Spotify fails to recognize this.
XXXTentacion, the only other artist thus far to have music removed from the platform’s playlists since the new policy was announced, also questioned the company’s decision.
The rapper is currently facing charges in Florida including aggravated battery of a pregnant woman and witness tampering. He has not been convicted of any outstanding charges against him.
Contacted by the New York Times, a rep for the rapper responded: “I don’t have a comment, just a question. Will Spotify remove all the artists listed below from playlists?”
He then went on to list 19 artists — many of whom have not been convicted or formally accused of the offenses he lists — including Gene Simmons, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Bowie, Real Estate, Backstreet Boys, Ozzy Osbourne, Ace of Base, Jimmy Page, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Miles Davis, Dr. Dre, 6ix9ine and others.
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