Zara Larsson Blocks 'Abusive' Artists on Spotify

Pop star says she won't listen to Chris Brown and others with histories of misconduct.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In a new interview, Swedish pop star Zara Larsson revealed that she has blocked several artists on Spotify due to their histories of abusive behavior. Larsson specifically called out Chris Brown, who has a well-documented history of domestic violence and other controversies. The singer said she doesn't want to support or listen to artists who have been abusive, even if she acknowledges their musical talents.

Why it matters

Larsson's stance reflects a growing trend of music listeners, especially younger generations, holding artists accountable for their actions outside of their creative work. As the music industry continues to grapple with issues of abuse, misconduct, and lack of consequences, Larsson's comments shine a light on how some fans are taking matters into their own hands by refusing to stream or support artists they deem unethical.

The details

In the interview, Larsson was asked to name an artist whose music she would never include on one of her playlists. She responded, "There's so many artists I have blocked on Spotify, and all of them are, like, abusers." She then specifically called out Chris Brown, saying "You certainly wouldn't find a Chris Brown song" on her playlists. Brown has a long history of domestic violence and other controversies, including pleading guilty to felony assault against his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 and later being granted a restraining order by another ex-girlfriend.

  • Larsson's comments were made in a February 2026 interview on the Cosmopolitan series "Cheap Shots."

The players

Zara Larsson

A Swedish pop star known for hits like "Lush Life" and "Stateside." She has been outspoken about blocking artists with histories of abuse on Spotify.

Chris Brown

An American R&B singer who has a well-documented history of domestic violence and other controversies, including pleading guilty to felony assault against his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009.

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What they’re saying

“You certainly wouldn't find a Chris Brown song”

— Zara Larsson, Pop star (Cosmopolitan)

The takeaway

Zara Larsson's stance on blocking 'abusive' artists on Spotify reflects a growing trend among music listeners, especially younger generations, to hold artists accountable for their actions outside of their creative work. As the industry continues to grapple with issues of misconduct, Larsson's comments shine a light on how some fans are taking matters into their own hands by refusing to stream or support artists they deem unethical.