Spotify Removes R. Kelly Music From Its Playlists As Part Of New Hate Content & Hateful Conduct Policy

Spotify said it will no longer promote R. Kelly’s music as accusations continue to pile up that the R&B singer ran a violent “sex cult.”

The Swedish music streamer said Thursday it will stop “actively promoting” Kelly’s music through in-house playlists and algorithmic recommendations as a part of its new “public hate content and hateful conduct policy.”

Three more R. Kelly accusers have come forward in the past week. Two told BuzzFeed News about the singer’s coercive behavior, alleging he controlled their diets and when they could use the bathroom. A third said she believes her daughter is “brainwashed” by Kelly.

Nevertheless, Spotify declined to ban the Grammy-winning singer from its service altogether.

“We don’t censor content because of an artist’s or creator’s behavior,” Spotify said. “When an artist or creator does something that is especially harmful or hateful, it may affect the ways we work with or support that artist or creator.”

Spotify said music by the singer — who faces increasing heat from a #MuteRKelly movement on social media — will no longer be found on popular playlists such as Discover Weekly and RapCaviar.

Shares of Spotify were up 2.2 percent Thursday morning, to $153.32.

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