Australian psych-rock powerhouse King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard has removed nearly their entire catalog from Spotify, taking a bold stand against CEO Daniel Ek’s investments in military technology. The prolific band, known for releasing multiple albums in a single year, has left their Spotify page nearly barren, with only collaborative projects with Joyful Noise Recordings remaining due to contractual obligations.
King Gizzard’s protest leaves Spotify barren as they reject CEO Ek’s military tech investments
The protest targets Ek’s co-founding of investment firm Prima Materia, which has poured millions of euros into Helsing, an AI drone warfare company that produces software for real-time military decision-making. Significantly, Ek serves as chairman of Helsing, creating a direct link between Spotify’s leadership and the development of AI military technology. Prima Materia’s investment in Helsing predated Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a timing that has intensified criticism.
Several other artists have joined the protest, including experimental bands Deerhoof and Xiu Xiu, who have also removed their music from the platform. Deerhoof publicly objected to their music indirectly funding AI warfare technology, while Xiu Xiu colorfully described Spotify as a “garbage hole armageddon portal” and urged fans to cancel their subscriptions. The band’s exit from Spotify illustrates how musicians are increasingly willing to sacrifice streaming royalties to maintain ethical alignment with their values.
King Gizzard, who has released 27 albums since 2010, including five in both 2017 and 2022, emphasized their stance with strong language on social media, telling fans they wanted no part in supporting military conflict. The band announced their departure through an Instagram post to fans, encouraging their followers to bootleg their new demos instead. The band has released new demos on all platforms except Spotify, further underlining their disassociation from the streaming giant. In an Instagram post, they encouraged their followers to join them elsewhere, highlighting ethical concerns about the connection between streaming music and military technology.
The controversy has sparked broader discussions about the responsibility of tech executives regarding warfare-related investments. The band’s decision reflects a growing trend among artists to take control of their music promotion strategies while standing firm on ethical principles. Ek previously described AI and autonomous technology as defining future battlefields, providing insight into his investment rationale.
Meanwhile, artists and fans continue to pressure Spotify to distance itself from military technology investments. The protest highlights growing concerns about the ethics of streaming platforms and their leadership’s outside business interests, challenging Spotify’s image and raising questions about the intersection of music, technology, and military involvement in an increasingly digital battlefield.
