Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider used some extreme language in a recent rant about Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, saying the executive of the streaming platform “should be taken out and shot” for unfairly compensating artists.
Spotify has come under fire in recent years for multiple reasons, including the platform’s profit-sharing breakdown and decision to host controversial content such as right-wing pundit Joe Rogan’s podcast (which led Neil Young to remove his music from the service). Dee’s beef stems more from the former grievance, with the hard-rock vet tearing into Ek in a new interview with the YouTube podcast The Jeremy White Show.
“That guy from Spotify, I wanna tell you, he should be taken out and shot,” Snider said *as transcribed by Blabbermouth]), ostensibly referring to Ek. “When he heard that artists were complaining about how little we get paid, his response was ‘make more music’ — like we’re producing cans of Coke. Just [increase] the production. [It’s] insulting and belittling.”
While the outspoken Snider was certainly being hyperbolic and sarcastic with his use of words, his general sentiment echoes that of many artists who feel like they’re being skimped by the leading audio-streaming behemoth. Snider said Spotify nets him next to nothing — unlike music licensing, from which the seemingly unending placements of a Twisted Sister hit like “We’re Not Gonna Take It” continue to bring in the bucks.
“For me, it’s licensing,” said Snider of his primary revenue stream. “The licensing is the last godsend, the last oasis where you can actually make some money. Steven Spielberg chooses ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ for the finale of Ready Player One. Thank you, God, ’cause I’m not getting anything from Spotify.”
Snider’s initial criticism was referring to a widely circulated 2020 interview in which Ek said that “you can’t record music once every three to four years and think that’s going to be enough.” The remarks incited an instant backlash from artists, including many hard rock and metal performers such as Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy, who called Ek “a greedy little bitch” on social media.
Below you can stream the full interview with Dee Snider.