Canadian country singer Chad Brownlee has been dumped by his record label after he promoted a right-wing conspiracy theory on social media that was seen as racist and anti-Semitic.
Universal Music Canada quietly parted ways with Brownlee shortly after his controversial tweet on June 2 – a day when the music industry went silent in support of anti-racism protests.
The label signed Brownlee in 2018 and released the EP Back in the Game last year and the album Back in the Game (Deluxe Edition) this past January.
Brownlee’s publicist did not respond to a request for comment.
The 35-year-old B.C. native shared a Photoshopped image of billionaire George Soros looking over a chess board in a game between anti-racism protesters and COVID-19.
“This man plays a massive role in what the media puts out and how protests are televised,” he wrote in a reply to another Twitter user. "Awareness of this power structure is key if we want to start to understand the pieces that are being moved around us.”
The post was later deleted.
There is no evidence that Soros funded the protests that were sparked by the death of George Floyd. (“We deplore the false notion that the people taking to the streets to express their anguish are paid, by George Soros or anyone else,” a spokesperson for Soros told The New York Times.)
Shortly after iHeartRadio.ca first reported on criticism of Brownlee’s tweet, the singer posted an apology.
“I sincerely apologize for sharing an image last night on social media that was wrong, inappropriate and could be perceived as racist," he wrote. "While my intention in posting the image was nothing of the sort, I acknowledge how people could easily have seen it that way.”
Brownlee added: "I abhor racism, certainly including anti-Semitism. Sadly, I didn't spur the conversation I wanted to. My effort was clumsy and wrong-headed. For all those I hurt or offended I am deeply sorry."
The singer has not tweeted since June 3.