Dee Snider Says Spotify CEO Daniel Ek ‘Should Be Taken Out And Shot’

Dee Snider has slammed music streaming service Spotify and said that CEO Daniel Ek “should be taken out and shot.”

In a new interview with “The Jeremy White Show”, the Twisted Sister frontman blasted Spotify for the meagre payments given out by the music streaming service to music rightsholders.

He said, “That guy from Spotify,” referring to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, “I wanna tell you, he should be taken out and shot. 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.”

Regarding how artists like him can still generate revenue with their music, Dee said, “For me, it’s licensing. 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.”

Spotify has been severely criticized for offering low payment to musicians and songwriters, with some claiming that the service gives major-label artists an unfair advantage via playlist placement and other promotional avenues.

Several other artists, including David Byrne, Neil Young, R.E.M.‘s Mike Mills and The Black Keys, have criticized Spotify’s payment methods in the past.