Following Spotify's announcement that they're going to stop promoting music by R Kelly and XXXTENTACION, we headed down to UCL to see if students back the move or think it's censorship...
Last week Spotify announced their new hate content and hateful conduct policy which will remove abusive artists from their promoted playlists, starting with R Kelly and XXXTENTACION (they clearly read our Why The Hell Are You Still Listening To XXXTENTACION article).
After this was announced, women's rights organisation UltraViolet wrote an open letter to Spotify CEO Daniel Elk asking him to go a step further and completely remove all abusive artists - including Eminem, Chris Brown and Red Hot Chili Peppers - from the service.
Public opinion on the issue has been divided, with some people saying removing abusive artists is a step in the right direction, while others claim that doing so is censorship.
We wanted to know what you guys think, so we headed down to University College London to find out if students think this is a good move or not...
Alexandra, Psychology (right)
"I think it's a good thing - I don't see why should artists like R Kelly should still make money from promotions and streaming. I feel like only artists who have serious accusations should be penalised though, not people who've just had a little slip."
Eilash, Geography (left)
"Yeah I agree, although I feel that Spotify should demonetise abusive artists rather than removing them - that way people can still listen but they don't get any money from it."
Heba, Architecture
"If people want to make the decision to still listen to artists with abuse claims then that's their decision, but I think Spotify are right in not promoting the music. To be successful you need to be seen as a moral company so I think it's a good thing."
John, Geography
"I'm not sure Spotify should be removing artists with abuse claims - I think it's up to the individual to choose if they want to listen to someone like R Kelly or not and they shouldn't really have that choice taken away."
Rory, Architecture
"Taking the music away would be censorship, but Spotify are definitely right to stop promoting the music."
Eva, Media Studies
"As supportive as I am of free speech and free music, I still have a big problem with famous people who are accused of abuse getting away with it, so I think Spotify should continue to limit their exposure."
Peter, Architecture
" With a lot of artists who have abuse claims against them it seems obviously true, so I think Spotify have made the right call with this."
Katherine, History
"I don't really think it's a good idea. I feel like it's up to us to decide whether or not we want to listen to artists with abuse allegations, and I think the biggest blow will be when people stop listening. Whether Spotify are doing it for moral reasons or not, it kind of just seems like a PR gesture."
Zeb, Architecture
"When it comes to removing artists, I think it depends how speculative it is. If it's a rumour or hearsay it's hard to know for certain so it would obviously be hard to determine who to remove, but if it's been proven then say goodbye to them I think."
