Graham Nash, India Arie pulling music from Spotify
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By Theresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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.”
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.
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.
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.”
Photos: India Arie through the years Here are some memorable photos of singer-songwriter India Arie Simpson through the years. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2001: Musical artist India Arie attends the City of Hope annual Spirit of Life gala October 11, 2001, at Universal Studios in Burbank, California. (Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2002: India Arie and Stevie Wonder perform at the 2002 Essence Awards at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles on Friday, May 31, 2002. (Kevin Winter/ImageDirect/Fox via Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2003: Winner for Best R&B Album for "Voyage to India" and winner for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for "Little Things," India Arie poses backstage at the 45th annual Grammy Awards Pre-Telecast at Madison Square Garden on February 23, 2003, in New York City. (Mark Mainz/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2004: Musician India Arie performs on stage at the 2004 Black Entertainment Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on June 29, 2004, in Hollywood, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2005: Musician India Arie performs at Grammy Jams' celebration of Stevie Wonder at the Orpheum Theater on December 10, 2005, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2006: Musicians Prince (left) and India.Arie perform onstage at the 2006 BET Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on June 27, 2006, in Los Angeles. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2007: Actress Kimberly Elise (left) and musician India Arie arrive at the 38th annual NAACP Image Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on March 2, 2007, in Los Angeles. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2008: Musician India Arie performs on stage during the Apollo Theater fourth annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on May 2, 2008, in New York City. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2009: Singer India Arie (left) and Stevie Wonder perform at Stevie Wonder's House Full of Toys Benefit Concert at Nokia LA Live on December 12, 2009, in Los Angeles. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2010: Singer India Arie arrives at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards held at Staples Center on January 31, 2010, in Los Angeles. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2011: Singer India Arie arrives at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011, in Los Angeles. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for the Recording Academy)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2012: India Arie performs onstage at BET's Black Girls Rock 2012 at Paradise Theater on October 13, 2012, in New York City. (D Dipasupil/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2013: Musicians Justin Timberlake, India Arie, BET Lifetime Achievement Award recipient musician Charlie Wilson, rapper Snoop Lion (formerly Snoop Dogg) and Pharrell Williams in the Backstage Winner's Room at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on June 30, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Mike Windle/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2014: Singer India Arie performs onstage during BET Celebration of Gospel 2014 at Orpheum Theatre on March 15, 2014, in Los Angeles. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2015: Singer-songwriter India Arie attends the 57th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 8, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2016: Singer/songwriter India.Arie attends the 2016 Soul Train Music Awards at the Orleans Arena on November 6, 2016, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2017: India Arie (left) and Tyrese perform onstage during Black Girls Rock! 2017 at NJPAC on August 5, 2017, in Newark, New Jersey. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2018: Recording artist India Arie attends the 60th annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018, in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2019: India Arie attends Black Girls Rock 2019 Hosted by Niecy Nash at NJPAC on August 25, 2019, in Newark, New Jersey. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images for BET)
Photos: India Arie through the years 2020: India Arie attends the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for the Recording Academy)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years Here are some memorable photos of musician Graham Nash through the years. (Jay Janner-Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 1964: British pop group The Hollies on April 11, 1964. They are Allan Clarke, Bobby Elliot, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks and Eric Haydock. (Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 1969: Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell with English singer-songwriter and musician Graham Nash at Heathrow Airport in London on December 30, 1969. (Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 1977: Pop group The Hollies and a friend hold gold disc awards presented to them for record sales. From left to right, Allan Clarke, unknown, Bobby Elliot, Graham Nash, Tony Hicks and Eric Haydock. (Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 1982: President Reagan's younger daughter, Patti Davis, and musicians Graham Nash, left, and Stevie Wonder, call for a freeze on the manufacture of nuclear weapons at a news conference in Los Angeles on May 19, 1982. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 1985: From left, David Crosby, Graham Nash and Stephen Stills, performing collectively as Crosby, Stills and Nash, acknowledge the crowd during the Live Aid concert for famine relief at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia on July 13, 1985. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 1993: Arriving to attend the ceremonies at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York, Jan. 13, 1993, are Graham Nash (left) and David Crosby and his wife, Jan Dance. Nash and Crosby were part of the group Crosby, Stills & Nash. (AP Photo/Frankie Ziths)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 1999: Musicians Stephen Still, left, Neil Young, Graham Nash (sitting) and David Crosby pose for a photo at the Pierre Hotel on Oct. 13, 1999, in New York City. (AP Photo/Jim Cooper)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2000: Graham Nash, of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, with wife, Susan Nash, celebrate her Leap Year birthday at the Leap Year Capital of the World in Anthony, New Mexico, on February 29, 2000. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2001: Musician Graham Nash and his wife attend the "Celebrating Our Differences by Making a Difference" dinner to benefit the Lili Claire Foundation on October 20, 2001, in Beverly Hills, California. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2002: Graham Nash at the premiere of "White Oleander" at the Chinese Theatre and after-party at the Highlands in Hollywood, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2002. (Kevin Winter/ImageDirect via Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2003: Recording artist Graham Nash attends the Los Angeles Free Clinic's 27th annual Benefit at the Reagent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on December 8, 2003, in Beverly Hills, California. The Free Clinic provides medical care for the working poor, homeless and uninsured of Los Angeles. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2004: Musicians Stephen Stills and Graham Nash perform at Rock the Vote's "The Last Mile Acoustic Concert" at the Crossroads School on October 27, 2004, in Santa Monica, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2005: Musician Graham Nash performs with Crosby Stills and Nash at the Beacon Theater August 1, 2005, in New York City. (Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2006: Musicians Stephen Stills and Graham Nash accept their BMI Icon Award onstage at the 54th annual BMI Pop Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on May 16, 2006, in Beverly Hills, California. (Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2007: Bonnie Raitt (center) and Graham Nash (right) listen to Jackson Browne (left) speak during a news conference on Capitol Hill on October 23, 2007, in Washington, D.C. (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2008: Musician Graham Nash (right) arrives at the American Idol Season 7 Grand Finale held at the Nokia Theatre on May 21, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2009: Singer/songwriters Stephen Stills (left), Graham Nash and David Crosby perform on stage during the 40th annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony at the New York Marriott Marquis on June 18, 2009, in New York City. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2010: Graham Nash, one of the founder members of 1960s pop group The Hollies, and folk rock groups Crosby, Stills & Nash and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, poses with his OBE (Order of the British Empire) medal received from Queen Elizabeth II during the Royal Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on October 13, 2010, in London. (John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2011: Musician Graham Nash (second from right) yells to the crowd after he and David Crosby played an acoustic set for members of Occupy Wall Street in Zuccotti Park on November 8, 2011, in New York City. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2012: Musicians Stephen Stills (left), Graham Nash and David Crosby of Crosby, Stills and Nash perform at a "No on Proposition 32" concert at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on October 3, 2012, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2013: Musician and photographer Graham Nash attends the Graham Nash Photo Exhibit Opening at the Morrison Hotel Gallery on April 25, 2013, in New York City. (Simon Russell/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2014: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter Graham Nash performs at the Civil Rights Summit at the LBJ Presidential Library on April 8, 2014, in Austin, Texas. (Jay Janner-Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2015: Musicians Stephen Stills (left), Graham Nash and David Crosby of Crosby, Stills & Nash perform onstage at the 25th anniversary MusiCares 2015 Person of the Year Gala honoring Bob Dylan at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 6, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for NARAS)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2016: Singer-songwriter Graham Nash perfroms on stage at the 2016 NAMM Show Opening Day at the Anaheim Convention Center on January 21, 2016, in Anaheim, California. (Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2017: Joey Ryan, Graham Nash and Kenneth Pattengale perform onstage during Skyville Live Celebrates AmericanaFest with Graham Nash and special guests on September 15, 2017, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Skyville)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2018: Seal (left), Graham Nash, Rufus Wainwright and Glen Hansard perform onstage at JONI 75: A Birthday Celebration Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on November 7, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2019: Graham Nash poses during a portrait session at the Cambridge Folk Festival 2019 at Cherry Hinton Hall on August 2, 2019, in Cambridge, England. (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Photos: Graham Nash through the years 2021: Graham Nash and Jane Rosenthal attend Whoopi's Animated Shorts during the 2021 Tribeca Festival at Pier 76 on June 13, 2021, in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)