In this Nov. 17, 2015, file photo, musical artist R. Kelly performs the national anthem before an NBA basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Atlanta Hawks in New York. As critics of the singer seek to cancel his shows because of his alleged mistreatment of women, a community leader in North Carolina says she and others will stage a protest if his Friday show in Greensboro takes place. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File) Spotify has removed R. Kelly's music from its playlists, citing its new policy on hate content and hateful conduct.
A spokesperson on Thursday says Kelly's music is no longer available on the streaming service's owned and operated playlists and algorithmic recommendations. His music will still be available, but Spotify will not actually promote it.
The new policy defines hateful conduct as "something that is especially harmful or hateful," such as violence against children and sexual violence.
Spotify says it doesn't censor content because of an artist's behavior. But the service wants programs to "reflect" its values. It says when an artist does something harmful or hateful, it may affect the ways it works with the artist.
Kelly has long been the target of sexual misconduct allegations, which he has denied.
Kelly's representative didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
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