Major Artist Withdraws Music from Spotify and Other Platforms in Israel Due to Political Disagreements
In a bold move, the British trip-hop group Massive Attack has appealed to musicians worldwide to channel their emotions into action against the ongoing crisis in Palestine. This call to arms is part of the No Music For Genocide campaign, a global movement that includes initiatives like Film Workers For Palestine and cultural boycott initiatives.
The No Music For Genocide campaign asserts that culture can be a powerful tool to reject political repression, shift public opinion towards justice, and refuse the art-washing and normalization of any company or nation that commits crimes against humanity. This movement has gained momentum with the involvement of over 400 artists, including Fontaines D.C., Kneecap, Primal Scream, Rina Sawayama, Wednesday, Amyl & The Sniffers, Japanese Breakfast, and MØ.
The catalyst for this movement is the investment of Spotify's CEO, Daniel Ek, in Helsing, a German company that produces military munition drones and AI technology integrated into fighter aircraft. Helsing's technology is deployed to European countries for deterrence and defense against the Russian aggression in Ukraine, but the economic burden of artists on Spotify is now compounded by a moral and ethical burden. The hard-earned money of fans and the creative endeavors of musicians are funding lethal, dystopian technologies.
Massive Attack, Thom Yorke, Radiohead, and Neil Young are among the artists who have withdrawn their music from Spotify. The band specifically requested their music to be removed from Spotify in all territories. They support the No Music For Genocide campaign because of the historical precedent of effective artist action during apartheid South Africa and the current war crimes and genocide being committed by the state of Israel.
Moreover, Massive Attack has formed an alliance of musicians speaking out over Gaza against 'intimidations from within' the music industry. In July, they shared a statement announcing the union of musicians who have spoken out over the Israel-Palestine war and have faced attempts of censorship.
The No Music For Genocide campaign aims to erode the support Israel needs to continue its actions, including genocide. It encourages artists and rights-holders to pull their music from streaming platforms in Israel. The campaign has been highlighted by Massive Attack, who have also asked their label to remove their music from all streaming platforms.
In response to the controversy, Helsing has stated that they are not involved in Gaza. However, the moral and ethical implications of Ek's investment in a military technology company remain a significant concern for many artists and their fans. The No Music For Genocide campaign continues to gain traction, with more artists joining the movement daily.
