Massive Attack have removed their catalogue from Spotify in protest at founder Daniel Ek’s €600m (£520m) investment in military AI company Helsing. The band cited a “moral and ethical burden” placed on artists, arguing that revenue from their work ultimately funds lethal technologies.
Helsing develops AI software to analyse battlefield data and operates military drones. Ek’s venture capital firm, Prima Materia, led the company’s latest funding round, and Ek serves as chairman. Spotify said Helsing is a separate company and its technology is only deployed in Europe for defence against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Massive Attack’s action coincides with the No Music for Genocide initiative, where over 400 artists and labels are blocking their music from streaming services in Israel to protest alleged war crimes and genocide. The band drew parallels with historic artist boycotts during apartheid in South Africa and urged musicians to take “coherent, reasonable & vital action” against violence in Palestine.
The band joins other acts, including King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Deerhoof, and Wu Lyf, in removing their music from Spotify over ethical concerns related to corporate investments in military technology.
