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Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson has sparked a renewed conversation about music ethics after revealing that she proactively blocks “abusers” on streaming platforms. During an appearance on Cosmopolitan’s “Cheap Shots” segment, the 28-year-old singer-songwriter identified Chris Brown as an artist whose work she refuses to feature on her personal Spotify playlists due to his history of domestic violence and legal controversies.
When prompted to name one artist who would never be found in her music rotation, Larsson did not hesitate. “There’s so many artists I’ve blocked on Spotify, and all of them are, like, abusers,” she told the outlet. “You certainly wouldn’t find, like, a Chris Brown song.” The “Lush Life” singer, known for her unfiltered honesty and feminist advocacy, clarified that while she recognizes Brown’s technical skill, his personal conduct remains an insurmountable barrier. “I do like his music, to be honest. I think he’s a really talented person… but he’s not a nice person,” she added.
Larsson’s comments specifically referenced Brown’s long-documented history of misconduct, which includes his 2009 felony assault of then-girlfriend Rihanna and a five-year restraining order granted to ex-partner Karrueche Tran in 2017. By utilizing Spotify’s “block” feature, which prevents a specific artist’s music from playing in radio stations or curated playlists, Larsson emphasized that she views listening as a moral choice that directly impacts an artist’s revenue and cultural relevance.
The reaction to Larsson’s statement was swift and divided. On social media, fans praised the “Midnight Sun” singer for “standing by her values” and “standing on business,” while Brown’s dedicated fanbase, #TeamBreezy, flooded her comment sections with criticism. Despite the backlash, the Swedish star has a history of vocal opposition to the R&B singer; as early as 2016, she went viral for “swiping left” on his music during a Tinder-themed interview game.
Larsson, who recently earned a 2026 Grammy nomination for her hit single “Midnight Sun,” continues to use her platform to advocate for social issues, from reproductive rights to immigration reform. Her refusal to separate the art from the artist serves as a high-profile example of how modern listeners are navigating the complexities of the streaming era, where every play serves as a vote of support for an artist’s legacy.
