Neil Young is pissed and isn’t showing any signs of keeping quiet. Since removing his music from Spotify due to his frustrations regarding Joe Rogan’s COVID-19 disinformation (and the company refusal to remove Rogan’s show), the rocker has stirred quite the conversation surrounding the platform. You’ll find various rockers and metalheads with different opinions on the whole debacle; whereas Judas Priest‘s Rob Halford says Young did the right thing, that of Disturbed‘s David Draiman says that he, “[does] not support ANY artist blackmailing any entity to follow an agenda THEY believe in … Music shouldn’t be used to sow division. It should be used to bring people together IMHO.” Needless to say, between Young & Rogen, and the removal of some of those Rogan episodes with Tool‘s Maynard James Keenan, things have been rocky over at Spotify.
But wait, there’s even more to add to the storm, for Young has also released a statement encouraging employees to quit their jobs at the company (as reported by Pitchfork). Young says in his statement, “…Get out of that place before it eats up your soul. The only goals stated by [Daniel] EK are about numbers – not art, not creativity.” He also expresses his frustrations towards companies that are adding to the environmental damage taking place across the globe.
Young is driven to voice his concerns and speak up where he finds injustices taking place. For some folks though, asking them to leave their jobs is a lot, even if the intention is meant to convey something positive. You can read the full statement from Young below.
Neil Young:
In our communication age, misinformation is the problem. Ditch the misinformers [sic]. Find a good clean place to support with your monthly checks. You have the real power. Use it.
To the baby boomers, I say 70 percent of the country’s financial assets are in your hands compared with just about 5 percent for millennials. You and I need to lead.
In our age of Climate Chaos, I say ditch the companies contributing to the mass fossil fuel destruction of Earth.
For their continued funding of the fossil fuel damage even as the global temperature keeps climbing, I say take your money from the accounts of these American banks today:
Chase
Citi
Bank of America
Wells Fargo
Join me as I move my money away from the damage causers or you will unintentionally be one of them. You have the power to change the world. We can do it together. Your grandchildren will thank you in history.
To the musicians and creators in the world, I say this: You must be able to find a better place than SPOTIFY to be the home of your art.
To the workers at SPOTIFY, I say Daniel Ek is your big problem – not Joe Rogan. Ek pulls the strings. Get out of that place before it eats up your soul. The only goals stated by EK are about numbers – not art, not creativity.
Notice that EK never mentions the Medical Professionals who started this conversation. Look, one last time at the statements EK has made. Then be free and take the good path.
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Words by: Michael Pementel
