Music streaming platforms Apple Music and Tidal have voiced their support for Neil Young’s music, which Spotify has removed from its platform at the musician’s request, NME reports.
Earlier this week, the reports, Young had demanded Spotify remove his music from its catalogue, claiming the platform was “spreading false information about vaccines” by hosting the podcast The Joe Rogan Experience.
Young’s criticism came after hundreds of scientists and medical professionals asked Spotify to address Covid-19 misinformation that has been included in episodes of Rogan’s podcast. “They can have Rogan or Young,” the musician wrote. “Not both.”
Spotify acquiesced to Young’s request, issuing a statement that read: “We regret Neil’s decision to remove his music from Spotify, but hope to welcome him back soon.”
Young’s music, while now unavailable from Spotify, remains on other streamers, some of which have since taken the opportunity to promote his music on their platforms. On Wednesday (January 26), Apple Music reminded followers that “it’s always a good idea to stream @NeilYoungNYA,” providing a link to a playlist of his music titled ‘Neil Young Essentials’
After Spotify removed his music, Young shared another open letter thanking his record label for supporting him and claiming that he had lost 60 per cent of his streaming income as a result of the Spotify removal. In that same letter, he praised Apple Music for presenting his music “in all its High-Resolution glory – the way it is intended to be heard”.
Tidal, on the other hand, noted the increase of new users and Neil Young play counts on their platform. The service retweeted a fan’s observation that a Neil Young playlist has been trending on the platform, adding “Love that for us”.
