Neil Young attends the Farm Aid 34 press conference at the High Valley Music Theater on September 21, 2019 in East Troy, Wisconsin.
Gary Miller | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
Neil Young said Wednesday his music will return SpotifyJust over two years ago, he and other artists had their catalogs removed from music streaming platforms amid a dispute over vaccine misinformation.
Spotify has not confirmed the news. CNBC has reached out to the company for comment.
The controversy that led to his departure centered on Spotify’s multimillion-dollar deal with Joe Rogan, whose eponymous podcast Young accused of spreading “disinformation” about the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccines. A team of 270 American doctors and scientists also called for Spotify will “take action in response to large-scale incidents of misinformation that continue to occur on its platform.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, Yang said he decided to return because Apple and Amazon “offer the same disinformation podcast features that he opposed at Spotify.”
Spotify declare A multi-year deal was struck with Rogan last month that removes its exclusivity, meaning “The Joe Rogan Experience” will return to platforms including Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Amazon Music.
“I couldn’t leave Apple and Amazon like I left Spotify because there were few streaming options for music lovers to get my music,” Young said on his website.
The singer, whose hits include “Heart of Gold,” “Old Man” and “Harvest Moon,” took multiple digs at Spotify in his statement, calling it “the world’s number one low-resolution music streamer.” …The quality you get is worse than what we make.” He also urged the platform to introduce high-resolution layers.
Before Yang left the company, he said Spotify accounted for 60% of his global streaming revenue.
Last month, Young and Crazy Horse announced a new album, “Fu##in’ Up,” and a North American tour.
Other artists who pulled their work from the platform in January 2022 include Joni Mitchell, India Arie and Crosby, Stills and Nash.
The move leaves Spotify with a choice between countless legendary music figures and the controversial but hugely popular Joe Rogan podcast, the most streamed show of 2023. At the time, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said he didn’t believe in “suppressing” Rogan.
Rogan issued an apology amid outrage and pledged to present a balanced perspective on his platform.
CNBC has reached out to Apple and Amazon for comment.
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