Tracks unavailable due to offensive language?

Just came across an album in my library which has an unavailable track on Qobuz. The album is Patti Smith Group - Easter and the missing track is “Rock 'n roll n*****”.
What triggered me here is that this is one of those famous albums which has received a 192/24 upgrade. This tells me that there is no licensing issue for any of the tracks on this album. And yet, one of them is unavailable. Have Qobuz in fact blocked this track simply because of offensive language?

I hope so.

1 Like

Hi Jim. Really? Why? That sounds a bit like excluding the KKK from American history books.

Not at all, but this is not the place to discuss it.

1 Like

@Teun_Romme, I edited the title of the track to avoid offensive terms/language, even though it’s the title of Patti’s song. The intent of your post remains and is a valid question.

@Teun_Romme I see on HDTracks that the song is available as part of Easter, but they have changed the title similar to my edit above.

1 Like

Thanks for your research Robert. Qobuz have also changed it (to N****r) but have nevertheless made it unavailable.

1 Like

I don’t use Qobuz, but is there an “Explicit” setting that may allow/restrict certain content?

This entire thread is offensive. Can we please delete it?

@Roon_Moderators

1 Like

Not that I know of, I just checked the app but did not find it.

Being the thread starter, I was unaware that it might be offensive to anyone, did I offend you? If so, I am sorry, this was furthest from my intention. Are you willing to explain? Thanks.

2 Likes

This thread is not offensive. It’s a legitimate question. If you don’t like it don’t participate…

7 Likes

It’s all on Wikipedia.

5 Likes

It’s been removed at the request of the artist. Other tracks with the same word are still available on Qobuz, such as the track in John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s Sometime in New York City.

5 Likes

And also there’s an available track on Sly & the Family Stone’s Stand.

Qobuz also contains a large number of very explicit hip hop albums! (As do other streaming services)

2 Likes


It’s unavailable on Qobuz

Yes I know. The available tracks I mention are tracks with the same word but by other artists. My point is that the removal of the Patti Smith track isn’t censorship per se, but something done at the request of the artist.

5 Likes

Yes I understand, Marilyn Manson has a track with the same name available so it’s not blanket censorship.

2 Likes

As highlighted, there are many many more artists and songs with offensive words.

Sadly, some of this will offend some.

I see it as a part of the journey through the decades and part of our history.

In this case, it appears the artist removed the track. That’s their right.

Hip Hop/Rap groups/artists like NWA and Ice-T produced extremely explicit music. To some their lyrics may offend. But sometimes it’s a cultural thing. What could be offensive to some may not be to others due to cultural differences.

I’m not the judge on that, I just have an opinion.

If it offends you as a listener then do not listen.

Some of the music my daughter likes from Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and others have offensive words for her age. To me they’re fine. Thankfully there are clean versions of these tracks/albums for her.

Should music from an era that may have accepted some poor choice words be banned. Not in my eyes. But a big label of “some words may cause offence” should be present.

4 Likes

When it comes to N.W.A. the track that instantly comes to my mind is “F Tha Police”. And it’s available everywhere. I agree with that if one doesn’t like it, then one shouldn’t listen to it.

3 Likes