Massive Attack pulls music from Spotify over Gaza, AI weapons

Massive Attack announced they are pulling their entire catalog from Spotify globally, joining the “No Music for Genocide” campaign alongside over 400 other artists protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The British trip-hop duo cited two separate reasons: participation in the boycott movement against Israeli streaming platforms and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s investments in military AI technology company Helsing through his investment firm Prima Materia.
Helsing, which received a €600 million funding round led by Ek in June 2025, develops AI software for military applications including drone technology and fighter aircraft systems, with Ek serving as the company’s chairman.
The “No Music for Genocide” campaign launched September 17, 2025, with notable participants including Arca, MIKE, Japanese Breakfast, Faye Webster, and King Krule, asking artists to geo-block their music from Israeli streaming services.
Massive Attack has asked Universal Music Group to remove their music from Spotify, with their catalog including landmark albums like “Blue Lines” and “Mezzanine” still accessible on the platform pending the label’s response.

British electronic duo Massive Attack announced on September 18, 2025, that they are removing their entire catalog from Spotify and joining the “No Music for Genocide” campaign, becoming the most prominent artist to date to take such action in protest of both Israel’s actions in Gaza and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s investments in military AI technology.billboard

The Bristol-based trip-hop pioneers made the announcement through their Instagram account, citing their participation in the “No Music for Genocide” movement alongside over 400 other artists and record labels. The campaign asks artists to geo-block their music from streaming platforms in Israel in response to what organizers describe as ongoing genocide in Gaza.theneedledrop

Double Protest Against Spotify and Military Investments

Massive Attack’s decision represents a dual protest. Beyond joining the Israel boycott, the group has separately requested Universal Music Group, their label, to remove their music from Spotify globally due to CEO Daniel Ek’s substantial investments in military technology company Helsing.billboard

According to The Fader, Ek led a €600 million funding round for the German defense firm through his investment company Prima Materia. Helsing develops AI software for military applications, including drone technology and fighter aircraft systems. The investment has valued Helsing at over $12 billion, with Ek serving as the company’s chairman.musicbusinessworldwide

In their statement, Massive Attack drew parallels to the cultural boycotts that helped end apartheid in South Africa, saying: “In our view, the historic precedent of effective artist action during apartheid South Africa and the apartheid, war crimes and genocide now being committed by the state of Israel renders the ‘No Music For Genocide’ campaign imperative”.exclaim

Growing Artist Exodus from Streaming Platform

Massive Attack joins a growing list of artists departing Spotify over Ek’s military investments, including King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. The exodus began gaining momentum after reports surfaced in June 2025 about Ek’s expanded investment in Helsing.futurism

The “No Music for Genocide” campaign launched on September 17, 2025, with participants including Arca, MIKE, Japanese Breakfast, Faye Webster, Fontaines D.C., King Krule, and Soccer Mommy. The initiative asks artists to either adjust their release territories or submit geo-block requests through their distributors to remove music from Israeli streaming platforms.theneedledrop

Universal Music’s Role and Industry Impact

Massive Attack’s catalog includes landmark albums released through Universal’s Virgin Records, including their 1991 debut “Blue Lines” and 1998’s critically acclaimed “Mezzanine”. Their most recent album, “Heligoland,” was released in 2010. As of the announcement, the band’s music remained accessible on Spotify, pending Universal Music Group’s response to the removal request.billboard

The campaign organizers have specifically called on major labels including Universal Music Group, Sony, and Warner to follow suit, noting these companies blocked their catalogs from Russia within a month of its invasion of Ukraine but have taken no similar action regarding Israel.thefader

Massive Attack is scheduled to appear at Kneecap’s Wembley Arena show tonight, September 18, for a “special audio/visual presentation” in support of Palestine, continuing their outspoken advocacy for Palestinian rights that has included previous collaborations with artists like Fontaines D.C. and Brian Eno.hotpress