Photo Credit: Pierre Lecourt / CC by 2013
Peloton says it has ‘indefinitely paused’ playing Kanye West music during its workout classes.
A Peloton fansite says the company is telling concerned members that instructors will no longer play the rapper’s music in ‘newly produced classes.’ It is also no longer recommending previously produced workouts that feature Kanye West’s music. The company told users it took the issue very seriously and made the changes immediately following the rapper’s public remarks.
Some of Peloton’s instructors have taken to social media to address the controversy. “Because I love everybody, I want to make sure everybody feels safe in my environment and my classes. I’m not even going to speak too much on it because you know I stand with you, you will not hear that artist in my class at all. I do not support hate speech whatsoever, baby,” adds Alex Toussaint on YouTube. Toussaint is a spin instructor for Peloton.
A brief search on Peloton’s website reveals Kanye’s music has been featured in at least 1,800 classes. Those classes won’t be deleted from the platform and are still accessible, but the Peloton algorithm will not recommend them as options to new and returning users.
Other platforms have condemned Kanye’s comments but won’t pull West’s music. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek says the company won’t remove the rapper’s music unless his label requests it.
Other companies that have cut ties with the controversial rapper over the last month include Gap, Adidas, Foot Locker, TJ Maxx, Balenciaga, CAA, and many more. Skechers had no prior arrangement with the rapper, but they had to escort him from their building this week after he arrived unannounced with a film crew and began filming.
CNN reports that at least four sources told the outlet that Kanye West wanted to name his 2018 album Hitler. CNN says it reviewed a settlement between one of the sources and West over workplace complaints, which included harassment. West denied the claims made against him.