The backlash over extremist politician Cory Bernardi’s all-Australian Australia Day playlist continues. Even Spotify have washed their hands of it.
In a statement the company announced, “Spotify has actively supported marriage, gender, and indigenous equality initiatives over the last five years, and believes in a diverse and multicultural Australia.
“We want to make clear we do not endorse this playlist, nor do we have any official ties to the Australian Conservatives party nor any other political party”.
Jimmy Barnes, Hilltop Hoods and Darren Hayes were quick to distance themselves from the Bernardi playlist.
Barnes tweeted, “Why would you listen to anything @corybernardi says, especially about music?”
Why would you listen to anything @corybernardi says, especially about music?
— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) January 18, 2018
Hilltop Hoods got straight to the point tweeting “Go fuck yourself @corybernardi”.
Go fuck yourself @corybernardi.
— Hilltop Hoods (@hilltophoods) January 17, 2018
Darren Hayes told Bernardi to stop using his music, “Hi @CoryBernadi and @AuConservatives. I do not want to be associated with you, your party or your views. Remove my music from this stunt or expect contact from my publisher @SonyATV”.
Hi @CoryBernadi and @AuConservatives. I do not want to be associated with you, your party or your views. Remove my music from this stunt or expect contact from my publisher @SonyATV https://t.co/fBmVisypLz
— Darren Hayes (@darrenhayes) January 17, 2018
Legally, Bernardi can put up a Spotify playlist and add anything to it he wants, anyone can. However his stunt was aimed as a dig at radio network Triple J’s new date away from Australia Day for the Hottest 100.
The various artists use in Bernadi’s stunt despise the man’s morals and want no part of being seen to endorse him.
Bernardi replied to Hayes saying, “Get over yourself @darrenhayes. Music is for everyone”.
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