Socially Conscious Consumers Got Spotify to Change Its Tune
*By Britt Terrell*
Spotify's decision to remove the R&B artist R.Kelly's songs from parts of its streaming music platform was a considered response to consumers' demands that brands behave in a more socially responsible way.
"These social movements typically backed by large groups of young users are pressuring companies to take a stance," said Phillip Tracy, a tech writer for The Daily Dot.
According to a 2015 Nielsen [report](https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahlandrum/2017/03/17/millennials-driving-brands-to-practice-socially-responsible-marketing/#3946f9034990), 66 percent of consumers are willing to spend more if a product comes from a sustainable brand. Millennial customers are even more demanding ー 81 percent of millennials expect their favorite companies to make public declarations of corporate citizenship.
To appeal to those sentiments, some brands are responding increasingly quickly to online calls to action when new controversies arise.
Spotify made a statement this week when it responded to a #MuteRKelly movement that started after the singer was [accused](http://www.vulture.com/2018/04/another-woman-is-accusing-r-kelly-of-sexual-misconduct.html) of sexually abusing women in a sex cult. Like the hashtag campaigns #MeToo and #TimesUp, the online effort around R.Kelly sought to hold the artist accountable in the marketplace.
Citing its new Hate Content and Hateful Conduct Policy, Spotify said it would no longer include R.Kelly's music in its algorithm and editorial-curated playlists.
Tracy said in an interview Friday with Cheddar that it's hard to say whether other streaming services such as Apple Music will follow Spotify's example.
Spotify has 75 million subscribers as of its first public earnings report earlier this month. Apple has 40 million.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/spotify-takes-the-keys-from-ignition-2).
Virtual reality startup Sandbox VR recently announced it raised $37 million Series B funding round. It is a location-based VR company, a space that was hit hard during the pandemic. Sandbox was eventually forced to file for bankruptcy; however, the company is emerging from the pandemic with a fresh round of funding and plans to open new retail locations around the world. Sandbox VR CEO Steve Zhao joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Jill and Carlo cover the latest with the infrastructure bill, the growing state rebellion over boosters, Trump's dereliction of duty on the pandemic, Taylor Swift's reign of cultural domination and more.
2021 has been the year of many things, and one of them is the NFT or non-fungible token. We've seen NFTs come about for so many different things.
Digital artists have used them to sell their artwork in a more traditional art transaction than the internet had previously allowed. We've seen specific NFT campaigns like the pudgy penguins amass large followings. And now we're seeing them expand into horror films just in time for spooky season.
The iconic horror movie franchise "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" has launched its debut NFT line entitled "Leatherfaces." the illustrations are designed by Skinner in partnership with Ultra Rare to reveal a total of over 10,000 Leatherface avatars. The collection gives fans, NFT fiends and blockchain fanatics access to a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre metaverse unlike any that has been seen before.
Richie Hobson, co-founder of Ultra Rare, joins None of the Above to discuss.
The USO is hosting a 72 hour streamathon on Twitch called #OperationPlayItForward, and is tapping into Gen Z superstars and gamers to raise money for the organization through the power of the esports community. The goal here is to help support both the new generation of troops and their families. Director of Global Gaming Operations at USO Callum Fletcher and Former UFC Lightweight Champ and Twitch Partner Jens Pulver, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
