Apple Music has launched a huge Neil Young promotion just days after Spotify began pulling all of the singer’s content from its platform.
Listeners will today find a “We Love Neil” section under the “Browse” tab that features albums, interviews, and playlists. Cupertino has also send out tweets and push notifications that call Apple Music “The home of Neil Young.”
Apple backs Neil Young
Spotify began removing all traces of Young from its platform earlier this week after the Heart of Gold singer published an open letter asking for his music to be pulled. He didn’t want to be associated with popular podcaster Joe Rogan.
“I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform,” read the letter, which has since been removed from Young’s website. “They can have Rogan or Young. Not both.”
Young accused Spotify of “spreading fake information about vaccines” through the Joe Rogan podcast, which has been exclusive to Spotify since 2020. It’s not the first time Rogan has caused controversy with his vaccine views.
Despite growing pressure from fans and the media to take action against misinformation, Spotify chose to side with Rogan instead and fulfilled Young’s request to remove his music. Of course, Apple saw that as an opportunity.
Young headlines Apple Music
Apple Music has gone all-out to make it clear that Young has its backing. It is heavily promoting Young’s music inside the Music app — as well as in tweets and push notifications sent to iPhone and iPad users.
The home of Neil Young.
Listen to his entire catalog on Apple Music: https://t.co/sUGtz4JbB9 pic.twitter.com/YgRMygUqhi
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) January 28, 2022
Apple Music subscribers in the U.S. are today greeted by a “We Love Neil” section in the “Browse” tab. It’s packed with Young’s albums — including the newest one, Barn — as well as Essentials playlists, interviews, and more.
Young fans were already boycotting Spotify before Apple stepped in to support the singer. Many have taken to social media to announce they will be cancelling their Spotify subscriptions and switching to Apple Music instead.
Spotify is unlikely to be too concerned for now. According to the latest data, its global market share is more than twice that of Apple Music’s — even after falling slightly over the past year.
