Massive Attack have become the latest band to announce their departure from Spotify in response to the AI military investments of CEO Daniel Ek.
The Bristol-based trip-hop band issued a statement last week announcing the move, while also revealing they’ve joined No Music For Genocide, a collective of over 400 artists and labels who have blocked their music from streaming services in Israel.
In a post on social media, the band wrote: “In support of the No Music For Genocide initiative, Massive Attack have made a formal request to our record label (Universal Music Group) that our music be removed from all DSP streaming services in the territory of Israel.”
They added: “Unconnected to this initiative and in light of the (reported) significant investments by its CEO in a company producing military munition drones and AI technology integrated into fighter aircraft, Massive Attack have made a separate request to our label that our music be removed from the Spotify streaming service in all territories.”
The band also added: “In the separate case of Spotify, the economic burden that has long been placed on artists is now compounded by a moral and ethical burden, whereby the hard-earned money of fans and the creative endeavours of musicians ultimately fund lethal, dystopian technologies. Enough is more than enough. Another way is possible.
Massive Attack join a growing list of artists who have removed their music from Spotify, including Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.
Spotify and Helsing – the AI military company of which Daniel Ek is an investor and chairman – have since responded to Massive Attack’s statement, hoping to correct what they call “misinformation” surrounding Helsing’s activities.
“Currently we see misinformation spreading that Helsing’s technology is deployed in war zones other than Ukraine,” Helsing writes on its website. “This is not correct. Our technology is deployed to European countries for deterrence and for defence against the Russian aggression in Ukraine only.”
The official Spotify for Artists Instagram page has also commented on Massive Attack’s post, writing: “Hi, Joe here from Spotify. I want to clarify a few things. Spotify and Helsing are two totally separate companies. And while I can’t speak for Helsing, I’m well aware they’re not involved in Gaza.
“I know because I had the same questions myself, and asked. Helsing’s efforts are focused on Europe defending itself in Ukraine. If you want to talk about Spotify and royalty payouts, happy to have a conversation. Thank you for hearing me out.”
As it stands, Massive Attack’s music is still available on Spotify. The group’s latest album, Heligoland, arrived in 2010.
Sam is the Associate News Editor for Guitar.com and MusicTech. Thoroughly immersed in music culture for the majority of his life, Sam has played guitar for 20 years, studied music technology and production at university, and also written for the likes of MusicRadar, Guitar World, Total Guitar and Metal Hammer.
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