Joe Rogan Tried to Compare His Controversial Episodes to Rap Lyrics

Joe Rogan has come under fire from both fans and critics recently. His listeners are feeling frustrated following his move to Spotify, where certain episodes of The Joe Rogan Experience were not uploaded due to their content. Meanwhile, critics are irritated with Rogan for the lack of responsibility he seems to take for his guests’ political views. Now, Rogan is defending himself from critics, especially following an episode starring noted transphobe Abigail Shrier. 

Controversial Joe Rogan guests not featured

Podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan made bank when he decided to move The Joe Rogan Experience over to Spotify. We’re talking a deal priced at around $100 million. When he made the transition, Rogan made it clear to fans that Spotify would have no creative control over his podcast. 

“It’s just a licensing deal, so Spotify won’t have any creative control over the show. They want me to just continue doing it the way I’m doing it right now,” he told fans.  

However, since the podcast has moved to Spotify, certain episodes have not been uploaded. These episodes all feature controversial individuals, or alt-right pundits with hateful ideologies. For example, episodes featuring Alex Jones, Gavin McInnes, and Milo Yiannopoulos have not been uploaded. 

Alex Jones has since claimed that various episodes are still in the process of being uploaded, but it still seems as if they are absent from Spotify. 

Spotify employees frustrated over transphobe guest

Meanwhile, a group of Spotify employees are upset with Spotify’s decision to upload Joe Rogan’s episode starring Abigail Shrier. Employees have noted Shrier’s transphobic viewpoints as touchstones for their request. 

“In the case of Joe Rogan, a total of 10 meetings have been held with various groups and individuals to hear their respective concerns. And some of them want Rogan removed because of things he’s said in the past,” said Spotify CEO Daniel Ek.

According to Vice, employees asked Ek questions like, “Many LGBTQAI+/ally Spotifiers feel unwelcome and alienated because of leadership’s response in JRE conversations. What is your message to those employees?” 

“Why has Spotify chosen to ignore Spectrum ERG’s guidance about transphobic content in the JRE catalog?” asked another employee. 

Daniel Ek explained that Spotify has decided to continue hosting the episode, despite the complaints of his employees. 

“Others have concerns specifically over a recent episode. And Joe Rogan and the episode in question have been reviewed extensively. The fact that we aren’t changing our position doesn’t mean we aren’t listening. It just means we made a different judgment call,” he claimed.

Joe Rogan defends himself by discussing rap lyrics

Now, Joe Rogan is defending himself and the beliefs he espoused during his chat with Abigail Shrier on The Joe Rogan Experience. And, as always, Rogan is falling back on his “I just say stuff, don’t listen to me” line. 

“I’m talking off the top of my head, and a lot of times I’m saying sh*t that I don’t even mean. Cause this is a f*cking podcast,” Rogan said during a recent episode of the podcast. 

However, in a truly bizarre move, Rogan went a little Boomer and started talking about how offensive rap lyrics can be. 

“And if you have a problem with people saying terrible sh*t and you work for Spotify, maybe you should listen to some of the f*cking lyrics!” cried Rogan. Truly, he has never seemed older than in this moment. 

“Cause some of the lyrics and some of the f*cking music you guys play over and over and over again makes my sh*t pale in comparison. If you’re listening to some rap music right now — I’m not anti-rap, I love rap music, f*ckin say it all!”