News June 20, 2018

Spotify pay tribute to late XXXTentacion weeks after pulling his music

Spotify has paid tribute to late rapper XXXTentacion, just weeks after pulling his music from the platforms curated playlists following their now defunct “hate policy”.

The 20-year-old rapper died yesterday in a drive-by shooting attack in Florida. XXXTentacion’s short career was marked with much controversy, as multiple counts of graphic domestic abuse and violence were made against him over the last two years. In May, Spotify removed the rapper’s music from its “editorial or algorithmic playlists on its service” under a “hate policy” that ceased to promote music that “advocates, or incites hatred or violence against a group or individual.”

Spotify faced its share of criticism after the policy was enacted, with hip hop superstar Kendrick Lamar threatening to pull his own music from the platform entirely as he believed it unfairly targeted people of colour. A number of US women’s groups also called for the platform to pull content by artists like The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nelly, Eminem who have histories of violence against women.

At the beginning of June, Spotify axed the policy after CEO Daniel Ek admitted it was “rolled out” incorrectly.

“While we believe our intentions were good, the language was too vague, we created confusion and concern, and didn’t spend enough time getting input from our own team and key partners before sharing new guidelines,” said the company in a statement.

Now, the platform has commemorated XXXTentacion’s career, creating a “This Is XXXTentacion” playlist, plastering “Rest In Peace, XXXTentacion” across its “Browse” page.

Spotify's RIP XXXTentacion tribute

Since his passing yesterday, XXTentacion’s music has skyrocketed to the top spots across streaming and download platforms. X currently holds the Number 1 and 2 albums on Amazon’s Movers and Shakers Digital Music list, with his album ? seeing a41,306% spike in streams since yesterday.

On Itunes, his track ‘SAD!’ is currently the Number 1 song, where his 2017 album 17 has made its way back into the top 10.

Musicians have remembered the life of X in a series of social media posts since his passing, including Kanye West, Travis Barker of blink-182, Joey Badass and more.

https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/1008839504902307840

https://twitter.com/joeyBADASS/status/1008819148141596672

We must support his legacy.
— CONCRETE BOY BOAT^ (@lilyachty) June 18, 2018

I’m at a loss for words… speechless #RIPXXXTentacion Loved collaborating with you. You were a true artist, one of the most fucking talented of our time ????????????
— Travis Barker (@travisbarker) June 18, 2018