Spotify, SoundCloud struggle to remove Kanye West song glorifying Hitler, which has racked up millions of views on X

New York Post - May 12th, 2025

Rapper Kanye West, now known as Ye, has released a controversial antisemitic song titled “Heil Hitler” that glorifies Adolf Hitler and has gained over 8.2 million views on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter. The song, along with a companion track “WW3,” was shared on X and quickly proliferated across other platforms despite efforts by Spotify, SoundCloud, and Reddit to remove it. The song's widespread dissemination underscores the fragmented state of content moderation, particularly on X, where Ye's posts remain active despite the platform's lax moderation policies since Elon Musk's acquisition in 2022. Influencers like Andrew Tate have further amplified the song, contributing to its viral spread.

This incident highlights the ongoing struggle of digital platforms to effectively manage and moderate hate speech and antisemitic content. Organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League have stepped in, urging platforms like Spotify to take action against the track. Despite some platforms removing the song, alternate versions continue to surface, showcasing the challenges in completely eradicating harmful content. Ye's persistent controversies since 2022, including previous antisemitic remarks, have led to significant backlash and the loss of major business partnerships, yet he continues to find venues to share his views, now turning to lesser-known platforms like the music app Scrybe.

Elon Musk Andrew Tate Antisemitism X Platform Content Moderation Anti Defamation League Kanye West Spotify Sound Cloud

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a well-rounded and accurate account of the controversy surrounding Kanye West's antisemitic song and the challenges faced by digital platforms in moderating such content. It excels in accuracy, timeliness, and controversy, presenting a factual and current topic with significant public interest. The story effectively highlights the actions of major platforms and influential figures, contributing to broader discussions about content moderation and platform accountability.

While the article is clear and accessible, it could benefit from greater balance by including a wider range of perspectives, such as those defending the song's presence on platforms or advocating for freedom of expression. Additionally, transparency could be improved by providing more context on the methodology used to determine view counts and the criteria for content removal.

Overall, the article is a strong piece of journalism that addresses a timely and important issue, with the potential to influence public opinion and drive meaningful discussions about the responsibilities of digital platforms in preventing the spread of harmful content.

Accuracy

The story presents a largely accurate account of the events surrounding Kanye West's release of an antisemitic song. Key claims, such as the song's title "Heil Hitler," its antisemitic content, and its viral spread on X, are corroborated by multiple sources. The article accurately reports on the struggles of platforms like Spotify and SoundCloud to remove the song, as well as the involvement of right-wing influencers and Andrew Tate in amplifying its reach. However, there are minor areas that could benefit from further verification, such as the exact monetization status of Ye's X account and the specific financial implications for West. Overall, the story is precise and well-supported by evidence, aligning closely with external reports.

Balance

The article predominantly focuses on the negative aspects of Kanye West's actions and the challenges digital platforms face in moderating such content. While it provides a comprehensive view of the backlash and content removal efforts, it lacks perspectives from those who might defend the song's presence on platforms or argue for freedom of expression. The story could benefit from including viewpoints from platform representatives or legal experts on content moderation. Additionally, the article does not explore potential reasons why some users or influencers might support or share the song, which could provide a more balanced perspective.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, presenting information logically and concisely. It effectively outlines the sequence of events, from the song's release to the subsequent reactions and content moderation efforts. The language is straightforward, making the story accessible to a broad audience. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more context on the implications of Ye's monetization status on X and the potential financial impact of the song's viral spread. Overall, the article maintains a neutral tone, which aids in comprehension.

Source quality

The article references credible sources such as NBC News and the Anti-Defamation League, lending reliability to its claims. It cites specific actions taken by platforms like Reddit and YouTube, as well as statements from the ADL, which are authoritative in the context of antisemitism and content moderation. However, the article does not directly quote representatives from X, Spotify, or SoundCloud, which could have strengthened the source quality by providing firsthand accounts or responses from these platforms.

Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the events and actions taken by various platforms, but it lacks transparency in certain areas. It does not specify the methodology used to determine the song's view counts or the exact criteria for content removal on different platforms. Additionally, while it mentions reaching out to X, Spotify, and SoundCloud for comments, it does not disclose whether any responses were received or how the lack of response might impact the story's narrative. Greater transparency in these areas could enhance the reader's understanding of the challenges faced by digital platforms.