India.Arie joined the growing collective of artists who pulled their music from Spotify over the Joe Rogan COVID controversy.
Rock legend Neil Young was the first to ask Spotify to remove his music after the music streaming giant paid Rogan $100 million to host his popular podcast.
However, Arie clarifies that she didn’t pull her music over Rogan’s COVID misinformation. Arie said her decision was partly due to Rogan’s “language around race”.
“Neil Young opened a door that I MUST walk through,” Arie wrote. “I believe in freedom of speech. However, I find Joe Rogan problematic for reasons OTHER than his Covid interviews. For me it’s also his language around race. What I am talking about is respect… [Spotify] paying musicians a fraction of a penny, and him $100 [million]? This shows the type of company they are and the company that they keep.”
Arie’s followers begged the singer to re-post her Instagram Story message:
One follower wrote:
“You should post whats in your story!!!!!!! Dont leave it there so it can be gone [tomorrow]. Post it!! Leave it up for all to see!!!! Im wit u an support u queen.”
The 46-year-old singer, born India Arie Simpson, is best known for her hit single “I Am Not My Hair,” off her third studio album, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship (2006). Her other hits include “Video” and “Brown Skin.”
Arie has sold over 10 million records worldwide and won four Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album.
