“When an artist or creator does something that is especially harmful or hateful, it may affect the ways we work with or support that artist or creator,” Spotify said in a statement.

The music industry’s leading streaming service announced on Thursday that it would stop promoting or recommending music by artists whose content or conduct is deemed to be offensive citing two artists - R&B superstar R. Kelly and young rapper and singer XXXTentacion.

Under the new policy regarding “hate content and hateful conduct,” Spotify said it had removed their music from all official playlists and recommendation features on the service. 

/ Twitter/@TIMESUPNOW

This does not mean their music will no longer remain available for streaming by choice, it simply means it will no longer appear in Spotify’s influential curated packages, which often appear on the service’s front page.

“We don’t censor content because of an artist’s or creator’s behavior, but we want our editorial decisions — what we choose to program — to reflect our values.”

While Spotify did not single out one artist in particular, the move did come days after the push of a growing movement to hold R. Kelly accountable for decades of sexual misconduct allegations.

Last week, the Time’s Up organization, which formed around the #MeToo movement to support victims of sexual abuse, joined a grass-roots campaign, #MuteRKelly  which has called on his record label and concert promoter, as well as local venues, radio stations and streaming services, to cease its support of the singer.

For more than 20 years, R. Kelly has repeatedly danced around accusations of sexual abuse and violence maintaining his innocence.

R&B singer R. Kelly has been accused of rampant allegations of sexual misconduct involving young girls throughout much of his career.  / Reuters

 Who is R. Kelly?

The American singer, songwriter, and record producer first stepped into the spotlight in 1993 with his titillating album “12 Play”, which went multi-platinum and lead to him becoming the in-demand writer and producer. 

In May 1994, R. Kelly’s protégé 15-year old Aaliyah released her debut album which was entirely written and produced by him.  A few months later the two married in what was later determined to be an illegal marriage due to Aaliyah’s age. 

This marriage is what started the 24-year trail of sexual misconduct allegations against R. Kelly. As the numerous allegations of child pornography and sexual assaults rose, so did his superstar career.

R. Kelly has released 12 studio albums and sold over 75 million albums and singles worldwide, making him one of the most successful male R&B singers of the 1990s. Billboard has even crowned him one of the most successful R&B artists in history. 

R. Kelly continued making hit after hit and neither fans or music executives pressed pause on his career – until now.

Despite the bombshell release of illicit videos showing the R&B crooner in compromising positions with underage girls and a 21-count child pornography indictment, his career never missed a beat continuing to flourish, ignoring numerous allegations of abusive behavior towards young women.

/ Twitter/@violadavis

#TimesUp

With the recent backlash against him gaining momentous support, R. Kelly's past allegations may finally be catching up with him.

Women of Color in the Time’s Up movement published an open letter joining the #MuteRKelly protest.

“As women of color within Time’s Up, we recognize that we have a responsibility to help right this wrong. We intend to shine a bright light on our WOC sisters in need. It is our hope that we will never feel ignored or silenced ever again. Together, we call on the following corporations and venues with ties to R. Kelly to join us and insist on safety and dignity for women of all kinds,” the Time’s Up Women of Color letter said.

The calls to #MuteRKelly also found a chorus of support on social media.

Actress Viola Davis tweeted a passage from the Time’s Up Women of Color letter.

“We declare with great vigilance and a united voice to anyone who wants to silence us- Their Time is up,” she tweeted.

But not all celebrities are ready to #MuteRKelly.  Rapper 50Cent blasted Spotify in a tweet disapproving of the streaming services actions.

"Spotify is wrong for what it is doing to artist like R. Kelly and xxxtentacion. There not convicted of anything," he tweeted.

/ Twitter/@50cent

But The founder of the #MeToo movement thinks Spotify's actions are long overdue, Tarana Burke tweeted, “RKelly has been protected by the industry for 20+ yrs. … his predatory conduct was overlooked.”

(Cover photo: R. Kelly performs at the Pre-Grammy Gala & Salute to Industry Icons with Clive Davis honoring David Geffen held in Beverly Hills, California February 12, 2011. /Reuters)