Jeffrey Swinger
Will we all do not forget that time when Spotify created a $100 million variety fund to make up for paying Joe Rogan? Based on new reporting from Bloomberg, the cash has barely been touched.
Early final yr, Spotify was in sizzling water over its cope with Rogan. The megawatt podcaster’s transphobic on-air feedback made some staff uncomfortable, and as Bloomberg notes, a video started circulating through which Rogan used the “N”-word a number of occasions. Final January, 270 physicians and scientists despatched Spotify an open letter calling for a misinformation coverage due to Rogan’s feedback in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic; one in every of them referred to as him a “menace to public well being.”
Bloomberg Information studies that one yr into the range fund’s existence, lower than 10 % of the cash has been spent. Sources informed Bloomberg that hiring was sluggish to begin, and that since then the initiative has “suffered from shifting priorities.” One yr in, Bloomberg Information’ sources stated that clear constructions stay lacking to vet and approve numerous pitched initiatives; the report cites an inner memo indicating that this yr’s priorities stay undetermined, and a 2023 funds remains to be not ultimate.
In an emailed remark to Bloomberg, a Spotify consultant declined to quote particular spending numbers. They stated the fund has supported efforts together with Glow (Spotify’s international fairness program for LGBTQ musicians) and Nailing It (a Spotify podcast whose hosts—Priscilla Anyabu, Wunmi Bello,and Adesayo Talabi—are all Black girls). The consultant additionally famous that Spotify this week introduced its additional collaboration with Spelman Faculty, a personal, traditionally Black girls’s faculty. As Bloomberg Information notes, nevertheless, some initiatives listed in an inner memo as backed by the hassle predate the fund itself.
The consultant wrote to Bloomberg Information: “The Spotify Creator Fairness Fund is devoted to a wide range of initiatives that assist elevate and assist an inclusive and various portfolio of artists and creators on the platform… We're in a position to empower and uplift underrepresented voices world wide.”
We’re guessing that Neil Younger—who had his music eliminated from the service final yr in an “it’s him or me”-style stand-off with Spotify final yr—remains to be feeling fairly good about his resolution.