Joe Rogan has been a standup comedian for over 20 years, and one of his most famous endeavors is “The Joe Rogan Experience.” Rogan started his podcast in 2009 on YouTube and switched exclusively to Spotify in 2020. 

Recently, Rogan’s been taking a lot of flak for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and his previous use of racial slurs. Many artists have been taking their art into their own hands and boycotting Spotify. 

One of the first to leave was Neil Young, stating that “they can have Rogan or Young. Not both.” 

Others that have left include but are not limited to; Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash, India Arie, and David Crosby. 

India Arie posted a video compilation to Instagram of Rogan saying racial slurs, claiming “He shouldn’t even be uttering the word —- don’t even say it, under any context.” Rogan later replied with a video of his own on Instagram, stating that the clips were taken out of context. 

“I never used it to be racist because I’m not racist,” he said. Rogan apologized for having said the word, having thought that if it were “in context” it was ok to say. “I do hope that this can be a teachable moment for anybody that doesn’t realize how offensive that word can be coming out of a white person’s mouth in context or out of context.”

Arie left Spotify regardless, unhappy with the pay that artists such as herself receive and the large sum that Rogan is given.  

Due to the current situation, Spotify and Rogan have removed 113 episodes from The Joe Rogan Experience.