Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has lost endorsement deals with fashion companies like Gap, Balenciaga, and Adidas as a result of his antisemitic remarks. There are still unanswered concerns regarding the industry that initially helped Ye break into the fashion world: music.
Ye has gained worldwide popularity and notoriety with the release of his critically praised and financially successful debut album, “The College Dropout,” in 2004. According to Billboard, he has ten number-one albums and innumerable number-one singles.
But all of that might be in jeopardy given the performer’s recent actions and remarks.
Ye has drawn a lot of criticism for wearing a “White Lives Matter” t-shirt and for making threats against Jews on Twitter over the past month. Retailers, social media sites, fashion, and entertainment industries have all abandoned him as a result.
What does all of this signify for Ye’s musical career, though?
a dual-stranded career
One of the largest record labels in the world, Universal Music Group, announced on Tuesday that its agreement with Ye would end in 2021 and that “antisemitism has no place in our society.”
According to a statement from UMG to CNN Business, “Def Jam’s association with Ye as a recording artist, Def Jam’s collaboration with the GOOD Music label venture, and Ye’s merchandise arrangement with Bravado all concluded in 2021.”
“We are sincerely dedicated to eradicating antisemitism and every other form of bigotry,” the company continued.
According to Serona Elton, a professor of music industry studies at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, Ye’s musical career should now be divided into two parts: “What happens to his already-released music on the market? And what occurs to any fresh music he might produce?
There will undoubtedly be many who have changed their opinions about him and who will now have made up their minds. But other people will decide to only pay attention to his artistic talent, either because they are ignorant of the circumstances or because they don’t care about his opinions.
Many others have already given up listening.
Will Ye’s music be removed from Apple Music and Spotify?
Between October 13 and October 20, Ye’s song streams in the US decreased by 23%, while his song airplay fell by 13%, according to Variety. Some have questioned whether his music should be prohibited from being played on streaming platforms like Apple Music (AAPL) and Spotify (SPOT).
That’s doubtful, according to Elton.
She asserted that music services are typically not in the business of judging an artist’s moral character.
Elton brought up the fact that singer R. Kelly, who was found guilty of several counts of child pornography in September, had not had his music taken down.
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek told Reuters on Tuesday that the service won’t take Ye’s music off unless his label requests it.
Ek explained, “Really, it’s simply his music, and his music doesn’t go against our rules.” “His label decides whether or not to take action.”
Ye’s statements are “simply nasty comments,” Ek continued.
Regarding Ye’s songs, Apple Music did not immediately react to a request for comment from CNN Business.
The licencing of his songs is one area where Ye and Universal Music Group can have financial effects.
Even with the most recent criticism, listeners can still buy his CDs, attend his performances, and stream his music. Despite how well-liked Ye’s music may be, it will be more difficult to persuade moviemakers, TV producers, and advertising to spend a lot of money to associate with Ye and his songs.
Elton remarked that he would be astonished if Universal or any other corporation would be ready to spend money aggressively attempting to market Ye’s songs for licencing prospects. “I believe they will focus their efforts elsewhere.”
