Massive Attack have removed their catalogue from Spotify in protest at founder Daniel Ek investing €600m (£520m) in Helsing, a military AI company. Helsing develops AI for battlefield analysis and autonomous drones, and Ek serves as the firm’s chairman.
The band said the move reflects a “moral and ethical burden” on artists, with revenue from their work indirectly funding lethal technologies. They made the announcement alongside joining the No Music for Genocide initiative, where over 400 artists and labels block music from streaming services in Israel.
In a statement, Massive Attack said: “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 funds lethal, dystopian technologies. Enough is more than enough. Another way is possible.”
Spotify emphasized that it and Helsing are separate companies, and Helsing stated its technology is deployed only in Europe for deterrence and defense against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Massive Attack join acts including King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Hotline TNT, Deerhoof, and Wu Lyf in removing music from Spotify over Ek’s investment. The band highlighted historical precedents of artist-led boycotts during apartheid South Africa and connected their action to broader support for Palestinian rights.
