Massive Attack have removed their catalogue from Spotify in protest at CEO Daniel Ek’s €600m (£520m) investment in Helsing, a military AI company. Helsing develops AI software for battlefield analysis and drones, with Ek serving as chairman.
The band said the move stems from a “moral and ethical burden” that artists face when revenue from their work funds lethal technologies. They made the announcement alongside joining the No Music for Genocide initiative, in which more than 400 artists are blocking their music from streaming services in Israel.
A Spotify spokesperson said the company and Helsing are separate entities and that Helsing’s technology is only deployed in Europe for defense against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Massive Attack join other acts including King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Deerhoof in removing their music from Spotify due to Ek’s investment. The band emphasized the historical precedent of artist boycotts during apartheid South Africa and called for a similar stance against what they described as ongoing atrocities in Israel.
In an Instagram post, Massive Attack urged musicians to take “coherent, reasonable & vital action” to oppose violence in Palestine. The band has previously formed a syndicate with artists like Brian Eno and Fontaines DC to protect musicians from legal or industry pressures when speaking out on political issues.
