Dwayne Johnson Walks Back His Support from Joe Rogan Amid N-Word Controversy

DEALSAerosmith have signed a deal with Universal Music’s merch-tastic Epic Rights for global brand management. “We are THRILLED to have Aerosmith, one of the all-time greatest rock icons, on the Epic Rights roster”, says the company’s SVP Global Licensing Lisa Streff. ”In anticipation of the upcoming 50th anniversary activities, we’re excited to be developing a global licensing programme that will celebrate and illustrate the band’s career at retail”.

Spotify may have paid at least $200million for the exclusive rights to Joe Rogan’s podcast, double the figure that was previously reported.The streaming giant secured an exclusive license to host The Joe Rogan Experience in May 2020, when it was widely reported the controversial podcast host had been paid over $100million as part of the deal.However, “two people familiar with the details of the transaction” have since claimed to The New York Times that the three-and-a-half-year deal was actually worth twice what was initially believed: at least $200million. Spotify has yet to publicly comment on this report.The Times points out Spotify had previously purchased whole content companies – podcast network Gimlet Media and digital media brand The Ringer – both for slightly less than $200million each.In recent weeks, Spotify has come under fire for hosting The Joe Rogan Experience, its biggest podcast in the US and many other countries, with an estimated per-episode listenership of around 11million people.Last month, Neil Young requested the platform pull his catalogue, citing “false information about vaccines” being spread on the platform and specifically targeting Rogan’s podcast.

It was previously reported that Joe Rogan was being paid $100 million for his multi-year contract with Spotify, but now it’s being claimed that the company paid him a lot more than that.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorSpotify’s deal with Joe Rogan, the popular podcast host who has attracted a swarm of controversy in recent weeks, is worth more than $200 million, according to a new report by the New York Times.Citing anonymous sources, the Times reported that “the true value” of the deal negotiated between Spotify and Rogan — spanning three and a half years — was “at least $200 million, with the possibility of more.” Previously, the pact had been said to be worth more than $100 million, as first reported by the Wall Street Journal.Spotify did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Over the past month, Rogan has faced a backlash from Spotify users and artists over his use of the N-word in past episodes of his podcast and accusations that Rogan’s show has spread COVID misinformation. On the Feb.

India.Arie has clarified her reasons for leaving Spotify, after she became one of many artists to boycott the service in recent weeks.When she first pulled her music from the service earlier this month, Arie cited their exclusive hosting of Joe Rogan’s podcast and his “language around race” as the reason she left Spotify.“Neil Young opened a door that I must walkthrough,” she wrote on Instagram, explaining how was following on from Neil Young’s exit from Spotify due to Rogan spreading “misinformation” about COVID-19 on his podcast.“I believe in freedom of speech. However, I find Joe Rogan problematic for reasons other than his COVID interviews,” she said at the time.Now, in a new interview with Trevor Noah on The Daily Show, Arie has discussed how Spotify’s royalties scheme and business practices also influenced her decision.Asked if Rogan was her enemy by Noah, Arie said: “My conversation has been about Spotify and its treatment of artists.“I have to say that asking for my music to be pulled from Spotify in protest doesn’t actually serve me,” she added, “but I did it in protest just because I felt like my dignity was being … I felt like I was being disrespected.”Discussing royalty payments artists get from Spotify, Arie explained: “What happens is, they say, ‘Well, this is just how it is; this is just what you get paid.

Dwayne Johnson is showing his co-star, Tyrese Gibson, some love after the death of his mother, Priscilla Murray Gibson.Tyrese took to Instagram Monday to reveal that his mother had died following a battle with COVID-19 and pneumonia.The 43-year-old singer and actor shared a tearful video of him holding on to his mother's hand as he tearfully said his goodbyes.In the caption, he thanked everyone who had been praying for his mother's recovery and said that he and his family are «broken and just can't believe this.»«So so sorry about this brother,» Johnson wrote in part. «She was so proud of all you are and have become.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson shared his condolences to his Fast & Furious co-star Tyrese Gibson after his mom passed away.Tyrese announced his mom Priscilla Murray died following a battle with COVID-19 and Pneumonia with an emotional video to his Instagram on Monday.Dwayne, 49, took to the comments and wrote: 'So so sorry about this brother. She was so proud of all you are have become. Deepest condolences & love sent your way to you and your family.' Thoughtful:Dwayne Johnson shared his condolences to his Fast & Furious co-star Tyrese on Monday after his mom passed away on Monday From the heart:Dwayne took to the comments and wrote: 'So so sorry about this brother.

Reuters said he has not "returned," as claimed. Instead, the only Neil Young music on Spotify is from movie soundtracks or other events that featured him but were released by other entities.

In an episode-long interview with The Daily Show‘s Trevor Noah last night, singer India Arie addressed the recent Joe Rogan-Spotify controversy, mentioning – among other things – that she believes Rogan is “consciously racist.”

India Arie has labeled Joe Rogan "consciously racist" for his repeated use of the N-word. On Feb. 5, Spotify’s popular U.S.

Veteran writer-producer Adam Sztykiel (Black Adam, Scoob!) has been tapped to write and direct an original, live-action Wonder Twins film, based on the DC comics characters of the same name, for HBO Max, Deadline has confirmed.

As if things weren’t bad enough for the people working at Spotify following all the recent controversies around the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, now they’ve got Ted Nugent coming to their defence – and via the daily podcast he records for the pro-hunting lobby group he advises and represents. Lovely stuff.On Friday night’s edition of the ‘The Nightly Nuge’ podcast, Nugent’s co-host Keith Mark brought up how that Canadian Neil Young is again talking politics in the USA, before musing how a musician that has in the past spoken up for free speech is now pro-censorship.Which isn’t true, of course, but it was Young who instigated the artist boycott of Spotify over the COVID misinformation contained in Rogan’s Spotify exclusive podcast.Young and other artists who have spoken out about the controversial COVID conversations that have occurred on Rogan’s programme insist that they are not calling for censorship.However, they argue, platforms like Spotify have a responsibility to counter misleading information that could negatively impact on people’s health, and they’d rather not be associated with any platforms that aren’t fulfilling that responsibility.Asked what he makes of Young and his Spotify boycott, Nugent initially said some nice things about his fellow musician, but then added “the guy is a complete punk”.

Dwayne Johnson kicked off Sunday's Super Bowl LVI in grand fashion.'Finally, the Super Bowl has come back to Los Angeles!' the 49-year-old superstar said in the cadence of his wrestling character The Rock, as he stood on the 50-yard line at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, introducing the battle between the hometown Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals.'It is time,' he said, introducing the Rams as a team with 'a soul-crushing, unrelenting defense' and 'a head-spinning onslaught of an offense, adding, 'Ladies and gentlemen, the champions of the NFC, your Los Angeles Rams!' The latest:Dwayne Johnson, 49, kicked off Sunday's Super Bowl LVI in grand fashion, introducing the battle between the hometown Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengalsat SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CaliforniaJohnson called the Bengals 'a team that has risen from the ashes to become one of the most feared, dominant electrifying teams in the NFL,' adding it was 'time to give their city their first Super Bowl win in franchise history.'He wrapped up in saying, 'It is time, it is time for all of us here and millions around the world to bear witness to these incredible players who will leave every once of sweat, guts and pride and legacy on this hallowed field because that is what champions do - ladies and gentleman, it is my honor to say, finally, it is time for the Super Bowl!' In his outing, Johnson donned an ensemble of a maroon T-shirt with brick red pants and white sneakers. He accessorized with a gold necklace and watch.The wrestler-turned-actor on social media Sunday referenced his past days in pads as a college football player at the University of Miami and for the Canadian Football League's Calgary Stampeders.

Dwayne Johnson just made his NFL dreams come true.Johnson took the field at SoFi Stadium at the top of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles Sunday where he introduced the NFC champions, the Los Angeles Rams and the AFC champions, the Cincinnati Bengals.Giving his signature WWE stare, Johnson hyped up the crowd with speech that had fans feeling like they were in the ring with him.«Finally, the Super Bowl has come up back to Los Angeles,» Johnson began. «It is time, time for a team to unleash a soul-crushing, unrelenting defense, a head-spinning onslaught of an offense, and take care of unfinished business, right here, right now.»He continued, «Ladies and gentlemen, the champions of the NFC, your Los Angeles Rams!»After a roar of applause for the home team, Johnson introduced the Bengals, who are competing for their first-ever Super Bowl trophy.«It is time, time for a team that has risen from the ashes to become one of the feared, dominant, absolutely electrifying teams in the NFL, time to give their city their first Super Bowl win in franchise history, ladies and gentlemen, the champions of the AFC, your Cincinnati Bengals,» Johnson said.«It is time, it is time for all of us here and millions around the world to bear witness to these incredible players who will leave every ounce of sweat, guts and pride and legacy on this hallowed field because that is what champions do,» the  actor added before officially kicking off the game.«Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to say, finally, it is time for the Super Bowl.».@THEROCK.

Dwayne Johnson will be part of the 2022 Super Bowl and it looks like he’s rehearsing something!

Dwayne Johnson showed off his rippling muscles when he stepped out in Los Angeles on Saturday.The actor, 49, wore a tight white t-shirt and a pair of tiny athletic shorts over form-fitting black leggings.He donned a gray and black hat with what appeared to be the Chicago Bulls insignia in the middle of the cap. Looking strong:Dwayne Johnson showed off his rippling muscles when he stepped out in Los Angeles on SaturdayThe Jungle Cruise actor walked in a pair of gray, black and white sneakers as he made his way into a dance studio.

Ethan Shanfeld New footage of DC’s “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” “Black Adam” and “The Flash” has been revealed in a new clip posted to social media.While the video teases only a brief look at Jason Momoa standing above a valley and sitting on Aquaman’s throne, it serves as the first official footage from the long-awaited sequel. Also starring Amber Heard as Mera and Willem Dafoe as Nuidis Vulko, “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” premieres in theaters on Dec. 16.

Joe Rogan returned to the stand-up stage on Tuesday night where he dedicated some time to discuss the recent cultural scandal surrounding his podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience."  The popular podcast host, whose show is exclusive to Spotify, has been the subject of scrutiny in recent days after musicians on the platform called him out for spreading COVID-19 misinformation as well as using racial slurs in past episodes. Rogan previously issued a video apology for the racial remarks and worked with the platform to remove dozens of old episodes he was no longer proud of.  However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Rogan made light of the situation during a stand-up show in Austin, Texas.Tuesday in front of a crowd of fans and supporters.

Spotify-exclusive podcast The Joe Rogan Experience this week, both on-stage and during an episode of the podcast itself.Rogan’s podcast recently prompted protest from the likes of Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash and Nils Lofgren, with the musicians pulling their catalogues from the streaming platform.Young sparked the exodus late last month, when he requested his music be taken off Spotify, citing the platform “spreading false information about vaccines” and specifically targeting Rogan.It came after hundreds of scientists and medical professionals asked Spotify to address COVID misinformation on its platform, sparked by comments made on Rogan’s podcast – calling the host’s actions “not only objectionable and offensive but also medically and culturally dangerous”.In response, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said that, while the platform wouldn’t be severing ties with the controversial figure, they would be adding content advisories to podcast episodes which discussed COVID-19, directing users to their dedicated information hub.Rogan himself addressed the boycott on Instagram, telling fans: “I don’t always get it right. I will do my best to try to balance out these more controversial viewpoints with other people perspectives so we can maybe find a better point of view.”Shortly after, Rogan found himself embroiled in controversy again when songwriter India.Arie shared a video that compiled instances the podcast host had used the N-word on his podcast.

Joe Rogan is speaking out about all the controversies he’s recently been making headlines for…

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorEmbattled podcaster Joe Rogan said he isn’t planning to exit his Spotify deal to bring his popular — and controversial — show to Rumble, a video platform startup catering to right-wing personalities.Rogan, in a stand-up performance Tuesday in Austin, Texas, told the crowd he would not be moving “The Joe Rogan Experience” to Rumble, which earlier this week publicly offered him a $100 million deal. Rogan’s exclusive multiyear Spotify deal is reportedly worth more than $100 million.“No, Spotify has hung in with me, inexplicably,” Rogan said in answer to an audience member’s question about whether he was taking Rumble up on its offer, as reported by THR.