Spotify is throwing a bone to the woke left amid the ongoing controversy over podcaster Joe Rogan, promising to invest millions into artists from “historically marginalized groups.”
In an internal memo to staff, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said the streaming platform would not be “silencing” Rogan following meltdowns, boycotts and exits by the left in recent weeks. Despite declarations by geriatric singers like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell pulling their content over Rogan’s show, Spotify has not yet pulled the plug on the popular podcaster.
But Ek did bend the knee by announcing the company would be investing $100 million for “licensing, development, and marketing” of content from “historically marginalized groups.”
The latest move earned scornful backlash on Twitter where many called out the blatant capitulation.
“Woke capitalism strikes again!” political commentator and host Ben Shapiro tweeted.
“Bow to the far Left’s funding proposals so perhaps they’ll leave you alone and allow you to continue doing business with the top voice in podcasting,” he added. “Feeding the alligator ain’t gonna stop it.”
Woke capitalism strikes again! Bow to the far Left’s funding proposals so perhaps they’ll leave you alone and allow you to continue doing business with the top voice in podcasting. Feeding the alligator ain’t gonna stop it. https://t.co/oo43p7cmrP
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) February 7, 2022
Other Twitter users noted how Ek’splan would ultimately be a losing battle on both sides.
idk when companies will realize they first lose the left for hosting someone with difference in opinion or a critical thinker then they tuck tail and apologize to the left and lose the right lol. Its a lose lose. Either stay out of it or pick a side. Pissing off both is bad biz.
— DOGE REZ (@HiRezTheRapper) February 7, 2022
It’s impressive how they managed to disappoint everyone involved
— Carwyn (@carwyndaud) February 7, 2022
Well how about that. The CEO apologizes, but wants to eat all the cake too. I see. Trying to make everyone happy will make absolutely no one happy.
— Miguel (@KustomElvis) February 7, 2022
Awesome plan @Spotify. So, here’s how this plays out. You piss Rogan off & his millions of listeners. You lose the trust of independent artists and creators. You get stuck investing a hundred millions dollars in unlistenable Woke garbage (think: Air America). Your company dies.
— Kyle Becker 🚚🚜🐎 (@kylenabecker) February 7, 2022
Others had thoughts about the “marginalized groups” to be targeted in the new effort.
So that’s $100M for religious artists, pro-life artists, pro-free speech artists and pro-homeschooling artists? Awesome!
— Michael McNally (@notoserfdom) February 7, 2022
@joerogan is a member of the newest American marginalized group.
— Radio Free America©️🇺🇸 (@RogerGreeson) February 7, 2022
Giving people a show because of their skin color will fail. If these people were interesting and polarizing they’d be known and successful already
— RPH LLC (@BEB_RPHin) February 7, 2022
And others just expressed how the world has had enough.
I am so tired of this “woke” BS. You don’t have to apologize for existing every time somebody sneezes their disapproval. 🤦♂️
— LoneWolf907 (@LoneWolf907) February 7, 2022
GoFundMe ☠️
Spotify ☠️
What company is committing suicide next?— James (@NC_State69420) February 7, 2022
I’m getting sick of this obsession with “marginalized groups”. True marginalization is not holding certain groups to the same standard as others based on immutable traits. Special treatment is demeaning.
— Elle Driver’s Firebird (@JacobyChrisrt) February 7, 2022
I’m ready for all tech gatekeepers to go under. Works for me.
— Rod Rockstone (@goaterhead) February 7, 2022
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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