Spotify’s CEO Daniel Ek has vowed not to remove Kanye West from the music streaming platform following backlash over comments he made on social media that have been called offensive and antisemitic.
Ek also noted that West’s music did not violate the platform’s anti-hate policies, which prohibit hate speech.
“It’s really just his music, and his music doesn’t violate our policy,” said Ek, adding, “It’s up to his label, if they want to take action or not.”
Universal Music’s Def Jam owns the copyright to West’s recordings from 2002 through 2016. He is no longer listed on Def Jam’s website as his relationship with them ended in 2021.
However, the company has not yet asked for West’s music to be pulled from Spotify, according to Reuters.
Spotify’s decision comes after a string of companies have cut ties with West in recent days, including Adidas, Balenciaga, and Vogue magazine.
West Locked Out of Social Media
“After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products, and stop all payments to Ye and his companies. Adidas will stop the Adidas Yeezy business with immediate effect,” the statement added.West was locked out of his Twitter and Instagram accounts earlier this month after reportedly violating the social media companies’ policies with a number of his posts.
“I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE, ” West wrote in one post on Twitter. “The funny thing is I actually can’t be Anti Semitic because black people are actually Jew also. You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda.”
West appeared to be referring to the U.S. Armed Forces’ heightened readiness status DEFCON 3. The artist also donned a White Lives Matter T-shirt during his Yeezy Season 9 collection presentation in Paris, France, on Oct. 3.