5 Artists Who Have Left Spotify Over Joe Rogan’s COVID Vaccine Claims And 12 Who Support Him

Over the last few weeks, Spotify (SPOT) has seen five artists pull their music from its platform over its decision to keep podcast host Joe Rogan onboard, who has made inaccurate claims about COVID-19 and vaccines.

Rogan, who hosts the podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience,” has since apologized for the controversy in an Instagram video, saying he’s “not trying to promote misinformation.” He maintains that all he is trying to do with his podcast is “just talk to people and have interesting conversations.”

Spotify has also reacted to the controversy, saying on Sunday that it would add a content advisory to any podcast that has information about COVID-19 in its discussion.

“This advisory will direct listeners to our dedicated COVID-19 Hub, a resource that provides easy access to data-driven facts, up-to-date information as shared by scientists, physicians, academics, and public health authorities around the world, as well as links to trusted sources,” Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said in a statement.

But still, Spotify has felt the hit and seen a series of artists take a stand and leave the platform over their beliefs that the company is not doing enough to stop the spread of COVID misinformation.

The first to leave Spotify and spark the movement was Neil Young.

He said last week in a post on his website that has since been deleted that he wanted all his music removed from Spotify because it is “spreading fake information about vaccines — potentially causing death to those who believe this disinformation spread by them,” RollingStone reported.

He gave Spotify an ultimatum. “They can have Rogan or Young. Not both,” he said. Spotify chose Rogan.

Joni Mitchell, who is the lead singer-songwriter for Young, also said over the weekend that she would remove her music from Spotify.

She wrote on her website on Friday, “I’ve decided to remove all my music from Spotify. Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.”

Also following in the footsteps of Young and Mitchell are David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash from the band Crosby, Stills and Nash. Young was a former member of the band.

The three band members all requested their music be taken off Spotify, saying that they support Young, adding in a Twitter post that “there is dangerous disinformation being aired on Spotify's Joe Rogan podcast.”

Also joining Young is India Arie, a musician and podcaster, who said on Tuesday that her content must be removed from Spotify.

She pointed out in an Instagram post that she is leaving the platform not only over Rogan’s COVID comments but over racial comments and his paygrade, which the Wall Street Journal reported in 2022 was $100 million for his podcast, as reported by CNN.

She said, “This shows the type of company they are and the company that they keep. I'm tired.”

Mary Trump, the niece of former president Donald Trump and podcaster of “The Mary Trump Show” has also left the platform, saying in a Tweet she hoped “it will be part of a growing avalanche.”

While Spotify has lost five artists to date, at least, 12 celebrities have stepped out and shown their support for Rogan.

In response to Rogan’s comments on Instagram, several celebrities reached out and showed their support for him, including Dwayne Johnson, Kevin James, Jewel, Jamie Kennedy, Tulsi Gabbard, Troy Aikman, Kat Von D, Dominic Monaghan, Candice Owens, Jillian Michaels, Tomi Lahren and Andrew Dice Clay, Deadline reported.

A response from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson read, “Great stuff here brother. Perfectly articulated. Look forward to coming on one day and breaking out the tequila with you.”

Kevin James wrote, “Joe – we go way back and all these years I’ve known you to be nothing but objective and seeking truth. Thank you. Love you brother.”

Even Jewel encouraged Rogan by saying, “Your [sic.] doing a great job keep it up.”

As of Friday at 9:44 a.m. EST, shares of Spotify were trading at $166.16, up $6.40, or 4.01%.