Massive Attack have removed their catalogue from Spotify in protest at founder Daniel Ek investing €600m (£520m) in the military AI company Helsing, which develops AI software for battlefield decisions and drones. The band said the move addresses the “moral and ethical burden” of artists whose work indirectly funds lethal technologies.
The announcement coincides with their support of the No Music for Genocide initiative, in which more than 400 artists are blocking music from streaming services in Israel. Massive Attack emphasized that their Spotify action is separate from the initiative, citing Ek’s investment in Helsing as the primary concern.
A Spotify spokesperson said the streaming service and Helsing are separate entities, and Helsing confirmed its technology is deployed only in Europe for deterrence and defense against Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Massive Attack join other acts, including King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Godspeed You! Black Emperor, in removing music from Spotify over ethical objections to Helsing. The band urged fellow musicians to take action against injustice, drawing parallels to artist boycotts during apartheid in South Africa.
Previously, Massive Attack formed a syndicate with other musicians, including Brian Eno and Fontaines DC, to support artists speaking out on Palestine while shielding them from legal threats and censorship.
