Spotify recently removed R. Kelly's music from its sponsored playlists under a new Hate Content & Hateful Conduct policy. But Apple Music may have done it first.
Pitchfork reports a source told the site Apple Music stopped promoting R. Kelly's music in their featured playlists a few weeks ago. But, unlike Spotify, they didn't announce the move. As Pitchfork notes, Apple Music's playlists like “Best Slow Jams of the 90s, Vol. 1” and “Vol. 2” no longer feature R. Kelly's music, but other R. Kelly–based playlists like "R. Kelly Essentials," "R. Kelly: Influences," and "Inspired by R. Kelly" still exist on the streaming platform. Also, while XXXTentacion, who's accused of physical assault, was removed from Spotify's playlists, but still remains on Apple Music's curated ones. For example, XXXTentacion's “changes” is on the Tearjerkers playlist and “SAD!” still shows up on the #OnRepeat playlist.
As for R. Kelly, Pandora also removed his music from their platform. "Pandora’s policy is to not actively promote artists with certain demonstrable behavioral, ethical or criminal issues," read their statement. "We approach each of these scenarios on a case–by–case basis to ensure we address components true to Pandora’s principles while not overreaching and avoiding censorship."
The music streaming platform's move comes after Time's Up Women of Color promoted a #MuteRKelly movement and demanded companies like RCA Records, Ticketmaster, Spotify, Apple Music to stop promoting and working with the singer, who's accused of physical and sexual assault by multiple women as well as keeping women as "sex slaves." The movement also called for Greensboro Coliseum Complex to cancel a concert Kelly has planned for tonight. While some of his other shows have been canceled, it seems the North Carolina show is still happening tonight.
