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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 11 May 2018
Spotify cuts R. Kelly music from

playlists, cites new policy

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY women for decades. While In its policy, Spotify made it
Associated Press Kelly has denied the allega- clear that it doesn’t toler-
NEW YORK (AP) — Spotify tions and was acquitted in ate “content that expressly
has removed R. Kelly’s mu- 2008 of child pornography and principally promotes,
sic from its playlists, citing charges, recent attention advocates, or incites ha-
its new policy on hate con- and a #MuteRKelly cam- tred or violence against a
tent and hateful conduct. paign has put the singer, group or individual based
A spokesperson said Thurs- songwriter and producer on characteristics, includ-
day that Kelly’s music is no under more scrutiny. He ing race, religion, gender
longer available on the was recently dropped from identity, sex, ethnicity, na-
streaming service’s owned a concert in his hometown tionality, sexual orientation, Musical artist R. Kelly performs the national anthem before
and operated playlists and of Chicago, and there is veteran status, or disabil- an NBA basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the
algorithmic recommenda- pressure to cancel a Friday ity.” Atlanta Hawks in New York.
tions. His music will still be concert in Greensboro, Kelly’s music doesn’t apply said. The policy will apply to ago. And there are a multi-
available, but Spotify will North Carolina. — it’s been defined by its songs R. Kelly performs on tude of songs from artists in
not promote it. In a statement, the found- explicit sexual nature — but as a solo artist or with oth- different genres that could
Kelly’s representative didn’t ers of the #MuteR.Kelly he’s also written love bal- er artists, like “Same Girl,” be construed as hateful.
immediately respond to an movement applauded lads, pop songs and even which he wrote for Usher. Spotify said it worked with
email seeking comment. Spotify’s move. gospel music. But songs he wrote for other several groups to create its
The new policy defines “It is important that those However, the new policy acts like Michael Jackson policy, including GLAAD,
hateful conduct as “some- who market the work of also delves into an artist’s will not be affected. the Anti-Defamation
thing that is especially problematic entertainers behavior. “While we don’t However, there are a myr- League and The Southern
harmful or hateful,” such as stand, in the end, with their believe in censoring con- iad of other artists who in Poverty Law Center.
violence against children company’s collective val- tent because of an artist’s theory could be the sub- It has also created what it
and sexual violence. ues,” it read in part. “We or creator’s behavior, we ject to the policy. Chris calls an internal monitor-
It’s another blow for the find this decision by Spotify want our editorial deci- Brown is featured in several ing tool to identify content
R&B superstar, who has a victory, and is just another sions — what we choose Spotify-created playlists; he flagged as hateful and has
been battling allegations step in our mission to Mute. to program — to reflect pleaded guilty to an attack asked users for their help as
that he has sexually abused R. Kelly.” our values,” the statement on Rihanna several years well.q
Sting and Shaggy share chemistry, on and off their new CD

By JOHN CARUCCI that people will recognize
Associated Press and see what happens.
NEW YORK (AP) — You Dominic Miller is on the al-
can hear the playful ban- bum. Robbie Shakespeare
ter long before Sting and came from Jamaica and
Shaggy enter the room. played a couple of notes.
There’s a genuine chemis- He was just a presiding
try between the two men spirit. There were so many
that defies difference in Jamaicans in the studio the
age and musical styles, one whole time. I’ve no idea of
that translates seamlessly most of them are doing,
into their collaborative ef- except they were creat-
fort, the new CD “44/876.” ing vibe. They were there
“The album is a conversa- for support and vibe,” Sting
tion between two people said.
from two different cultures, Sting and Shaggy kick off
two different islands. One is the European leg of their
kind of warm and tropical, tour June 19 in Plovdiv, Bul-
and one that isn’t — that’s garia.
mine,” said Sting. “And we Sting prides himself on be-
talk about various issues, ing a bass player and,
you know, various subject back in the era of his old
interests us both. It’s not just band, The Police, the rock-
love songs.” In this April 23, 2018 photo, musicians Shaggy, left, and Sting pose during an interview to promote er would play the big bass
The title is a combo of the their new CD, “44/876” at 520 West 28th by Zaha Hadid on in New York. with his trio.
phone country codes for such a dark, febrile political gy. “You know, he’s obvi- lice, reggae was a big influ- But don’t expect it for this
Sting’s native England and times. You know, I think the ously a singer, but actually ence for Sting, so teaming tour. “I don’t think that
Shaggy’s Jamaica and world needs to just relax a singing in the way that we up with Shaggy was a good would fit with the sound of
they feel the songs strike little bit,” said Sting. would define singing. Not fit. But Sting also relied on this record,” Sting said.
the right balance for cur- Some of the songs dabble rapping.” some other musicians he’s Then Shaggy tries to per-
rent times. in politics, but it’s the music Shaggy chimes in: “Now he worked with in the past, suade him: “You could at
“We’re singing about issues that matters most to Sting. can’t get me to stop.” most notably Branford Mar- least bring it out one time
that we care about in a And that includes working “I’ve created a monster salis who played on much just to show off.”
way that is not angry or po- with Shaggy. because he has a great of Sting’s early solo work. Sting responds: “Maybe I
lemic or aggressive. I think “One of my greatest plea- voice and I’m taking full “It’s nice to bring some DNA will teach you to play the
the world needs a smile at sures was to force him to credit for that,” Sting said. in from somewhere else standup bass and you will
the moment because it is sing,” said Sting of Shag- In the early days of The Po- and throw it in the petri dish suffer.”q