By Ashley Young–
Joe Rogan claimed in his most recent podcast that he is a ‘victim’ of a political hit, as he called a video compilation of him using the ‘N-word’ a ‘political hit job.’
Rogan, 54, has come under fire in recent weeks after artist India.Arie posted a video compilation of his usage of the ‘N-word’ on The Joe Rogan Experience with the hashtag #DeleteSpotify.
Rogan has previously apologized for his use of the racial slur, saying in an Instagram video he had said things ‘that I wish I hadn’t said, or had said differently.’
The controversial podcaster said the slurs were the ‘most regretful and shameful thing’ he has ever had to address and that he hasn´t used the N-word in years.
Rogan said he believed at the time that as long as he was using the word in context that people would understand his actions.
‘I never used it to be racist, because I’m not racist,’ he said.
‘There’s nothing I can do to take that back. I wish I could. Obviously, that’s not possible. I certainly wasn’t trying to be racist, and I certainly would never want to offend someone for entertainment with something as stupid as racism,’ Rogan said.
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek also said in a message to employees on Sunday that Rogan’s racist language was ‘incredibly hurtful’ and that the host was behind the removal of dozens of episodes of his show.
‘While I strongly condemn what Joe has said and I agree with his decision to remove past episodes from our platform, I realize some will want more,’ Ek said in the note. ‘And I want to make one point very clear – I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer.’
Rogan has recently faced backlash for alleged COVID-19 misinformation in his program hosted on Spotify, with progressives and others calling on the streaming service to cancel the Joe Rogan Experience host’s $100million deal for spreading misinformation regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Singer-songwriters including Neil Young and Joni Mitchell eventually pulled their content from the streaming platform, while others, like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson rallied around Rogan after he spoke out against the allegations that he was spreading ‘spreading COVID misinformation.’
In response to Rogan’s video, Johnson wrote: ‘Great stuff here brother. Perfectly articulated. Look forward to coming on one day and breaking out the tequila with you.’
The wrestler-turned-actor later apologized for his support of Rogan, his longtime friend, after the video of him using the ‘N-word’ spread.
‘I was not aware of his N word use prior to my comments, but now I’ve become educated to his complete narrative. Learning moment for me,’ Johnson, tweeted Friday after author and political activist Don Winslow called out the action movie star for his support of Rogan.
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek also said in a message to employees on Sunday that Rogan’s racist language was ‘incredibly hurtful’ and that the host was behind the removal of dozens of episodes of his show.
‘While I strongly condemn what Joe has said and I agree with his decision to remove past episodes from our platform, I realize some will want more,’ Ek said in the note. ‘And I want to make one point very clear – I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer.’
‘We should have clear lines around content and take action when they are crossed, but canceling voices is a slippery slope. Looking at the issue more broadly, it´s critical thinking and open debate that powers real and necessary progress,’ Ek wrote.
In his letter, Ek announced an investment of $100 million to license, develop and market ‘music and audio content from historically marginalized groups,’ without giving more details.
‘It’s like this is a political hit job,’ he said. ‘And so they’re taking all this stuff that I ever said, and it’s wrong, and smush it all together.
‘But it’s good,’ Rogan continued, ’cause it lets me address some s*** that I really wish wasn’t out there.’
At that point in the episode, his guest, comedian Akaash Singh, praised Rogan for apologizing for his use of the racial slur.
‘You know why I’m proud of you?’ Singh asked, rhetorically. ‘Because I think comedians have for years done this immature thing where it’s like we don’t apologize. We say whatever we want.
‘You can apologize if you say some wild s*** and we’ve all said some wild s*** and you apologized and you owned that it was wrong. Good for you.’