The R Kelly conundrum: does Spotify’s new mute button go far enough?

As many call for Kelly’s music to be removed altogether, the platform introduced a tool that puts the onus on to its users

Spotify’s recent introduction of a mute button might come across as just another innocuous tech feature rollout. But while it was added without fanfare, the timing – as many commentators have pointed out – is striking.

The “don’t play this artist” button, which drives the application to skip songs by an artist of your choice wherever they appear, has been introduced in the wake of dream hampton’s explosive documentary, which delves into allegations that Kelly has been abusing women of colour – some whom were underage – for decades.

(August 31, 1994) Marries underage singer Aaliyah

Related: ‘No one cared because we were black girls’: is time finally up for R Kelly?

Couldn’t just call it the R. Kelly button, huh?

Related: Open letter: Our call for an R Kelly boycott, by the Women of Color of Time's Up

Quick and easy tutorial on how to block R Kelly on @Spotify !!! #MuteRKelly pic.twitter.com/uLWRxVrA3I

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I have a throwback playlist on Spotify and I’m A Flirt came on and after looking down and seeing it was R. Kelly, I literally screamed out loud. The guy gave us enough red flags in his music. Gross.