Graham Nash, India Arie pulling music from Spotify

Musicians Graham Nash and India Arie on Tuesday joined other artists in pulling their music from Spotify over concerns surrounding comedian Joe Rogan’s popular podcast, the “Joe Rogan Experience.”

>> PHOTOS: India Arie through the years

>> PHOTOS: Graham Nash through the years

In statements posted on social media, Nash and Arie shared support for Neil Young, who last week demanded that Spotify remove either his music or Rogan’s podcast for spreading COVID-19 misinformation. Joni Mitchell and Nils Lofgren have since followed suit.

>> Read more trending news

Nash wrote Tuesday that Rogan has spread “disinformation” on Spotify “which is knowingly false and intended to mislead and sway (public opinion). In this case, in a way that could cost people their lives.”

“There is a difference between being open to varying viewpoints on a matter and knowingly spreading false information which some 270 medical professionals have derided (as) not only false but dangerous,” he wrote, referencing a letter published last month by medical experts that accused Spotify of enabling Rogan to spread misinformation.

Having heard the Covid disinformation spread by Joe Rogan on Spotify, I completely agree with and support my friend,...
Posted by Graham Nash on Tuesday, February 1, 2022

In a separate Instagram post, Arie said she also took issue with the way Rogan has spoken about language and race.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by indiaarie (@indiaarie)

>> Read the full letter from medical professionals

Last month, medical experts urged Spotify to create a misinformation policy to mitigate the spread of misinformation on the music streaming service in an open letter published online. In the letter, the experts – which include physicians, nurses, professors, researchers and more – pointed to a December episode of the “Joe Rogan Experience” that critics say promoted baseless conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines.

“This is not only a scientific or medical concern; it is a sociological issue of devastating proportions and Spotify is responsible for allowing this activity to thrive on its platform,” the letter read.

On Sunday, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said the company plans to add content advisories to podcast episodes that include discussion of COVID-19 in an effort to combat misinformation.

In an Instagram post that same day, Rogan said he supported Spotify’s decision and that he was sorry that artists were leaving the platform because of his podcast.

“Do I get things wrong? Absolutely,” he said, “but when I get things wrong, I try to correct it.”

0 of 25