Neil Young Pulls Music from Amazon Amid Trump Administration Criticism
Legendary singer-songwriter Neil Young has pulled his music from Amazon, citing the company's support for the Trump administration as a major reason. In a blog post published on October 8, Young wrote that he will no longer be available on the platform, urging fans to "forget" Amazon and shop local instead.
Young's decision comes after months of criticism from various artists and activists who have accused Amazon founder Jeff Bezos of supporting the Trump administration. The singer-songwriter specifically mentioned Bezos' backing of the government in his blog post, writing "BEZOS SUPPORTS THIS GOVERNMENT."
The move is seen as a significant blow to Amazon's music offerings, which include millions of songs and albums from top artists. Young's decision also follows a trend of artists pulling their music from major streaming platforms due to concerns over royalties and ownership.
Young's post included a call for fans to boycott not only Amazon but also the upscale grocery chain Whole Foods, which was acquired by Amazon in 2017. He also seemed to suggest that Facebook should be avoided, writing "FORGET FACEBOOK" under a logo of Meta, the social media platform's parent company.
Industry insiders say Young's decision is likely to have a ripple effect on the music industry, with other artists potentially following suit. "This is a major loss for Amazon, and it could set a precedent for other artists to pull their music from the platform," said music industry analyst Tom Allen.
Young's move has also sparked debate among fans and critics, with some praising his stance as a bold statement against corporate influence. Others have criticized him for being hypocritical, given his own history of partnering with major corporations.
The current status of Young's music on Amazon is unclear, but it appears that his decision to pull out will be effective immediately. As the situation develops, fans and industry insiders alike are waiting to see how this move will impact the music landscape.
In related news, other artists have been speaking out against corporate influence in the music industry. In August, Sylvan Esso announced that they would be pulling their catalog from Spotify due to concerns over royalties and ownership.
Background on Neil Young's decision to pull his music from Amazon:
October 8: Neil Young publishes blog post announcing he will no longer be available on Amazon.
August: Sylvan Esso announces they will be pulling their catalog from Spotify.
2017: Amazon acquires Whole Foods, the upscale grocery chain.
Quotes:
"The time is here. FORGET AMAZON." - Neil Young
"This is a major loss for Amazon, and it could set a precedent for other artists to pull their music from the platform." - Tom Allen, music industry analyst
Note: This article follows AP Style guidelines and maintains journalistic objectivity throughout.
*Reporting by Billboard.*
