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Neil Young Offers Greenland Free Access to His Entire Music Catalog Amid Trump Tensions
Greenlanders will be able to access Neil Young’s digital archive—which typically costs around $25 per year—by verifying a Greenland-registered mobile phone number. The archive includes decades of music, rare recordings, live performances, and exclusive material spanning Young’s storied career.
Rock legend Neil Young has made a striking political and cultural gesture by offering the people of Greenland a full year of free access to his extensive digital music archives, saying the move is intended to bring “peace and love” amid rising tensions with the Trump administration.
The Canadian-American singer-songwriter announced the offer on his official website, explaining that he hoped it would “ease some of the unwarranted stress and threats” Greenlanders have faced after Donald Trump repeatedly floated the idea of annexing the Danish territory for U.S. national security reasons. Although Trump recently walked back his remarks—saying he sought “immediate negotiations” and would not use force—the comments sparked international concern and backlash.
A Cultural Gesture of Solidarity
Neil Young, a longtime critic of Trump, framed the decision as an act of goodwill and symbolic resistance. Signing his message “love earth,” the 80-year-old musician described the Trump administration as “our unpopular and hopefully temporary government,” and called on other organizations to follow his example.
Greenlanders will be able to access Neil Young’s digital archive—which typically costs around $25 per year—by verifying a Greenland-registered mobile phone number. The archive includes decades of music, rare recordings, live performances, and exclusive material spanning Young’s storied career.
Neil Young’s History of Political Protest
The move is consistent with Neil Young’s long history of political activism. Earlier this month, he sharply criticized Trump on his website, writing: “Wake up people! Today the USA is a disaster. Donald Trump is destroying America bit by bit with his staff of wannabes… He has divided us.”
Young has repeatedly clashed with Trump over the use of his music. During the 2020 presidential campaign, he took legal action to prevent Trump from playing songs like Rockin’ in the Free World at rallies, arguing that the music was being used in direct opposition to his values.
Boycotts and Industry Battles
Young’s activism has also extended into the tech and music industries. He has urged fans to boycott Amazon over founder Jeff Bezos’s political donations and support for the Trump administration. In 2022, Young famously removed his music from Spotify, protesting the platform’s hosting of Joe Rogan’s podcast, which he accused of spreading COVID-19 vaccine misinformation.
Artists, including Joni Mitchell and India Arie, followed suit in solidarity. Young later returned his catalog to Spotify in 2024, explaining that Rogan’s $250 million deal made the podcast available across multiple platforms, reducing Spotify’s exclusivity and influence.
Music as Protest
Born in Canada and now a dual citizen of the United States, Young has often used music as a vehicle for protest, from environmental causes to anti-war movements. By gifting his catalog to Greenland, he is once again blending art with activism—this time in response to geopolitical pressure.
As global attention remains fixed on Trump’s foreign policy rhetoric, Young’s gesture stands out as an unconventional form of diplomacy—one that relies not on force or negotiation, but on songs, solidarity, and a message of peace.
