King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, the iconic Australian psychedelic rock group, have made a bold move by announcing their departure from Spotify in protest against the platform’s CEO, Daniel Ek, and his ties to the defense industry. The band took to social media to express their discontent, stating that they will be pulling their music from Spotify and making it exclusively available on Bandcamp.
According to a spokesperson for the band, the process of removing their entire catalogue from Spotify is underway, although it may take some time due to various labels and distributors involved. This decision by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard comes in response to Ek’s involvement in a significant investment in Helsing, a German defense technology company specializing in AI-driven autonomous combat.
Ek’s dual role as the chairman of Helsing, following his substantial investment in the company, has sparked outrage within the music industry, which has long grappled with Spotify’s dominance and its impact on artists. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, known for hits like “Rattlesnake,” did not mince words in their social media posts, calling out Ek’s financial support for military drone technology and urging for accountability in the tech industry.
Joining the wave of discontent, Californian rock band Xiu Xiu and San Francisco indie rockers Deerhoof have also announced plans to remove their music from Spotify, citing concerns about being associated with technologies that could potentially harm individuals. Xiu Xiu labeled Spotify as a “garbage hole violent armageddon portal,” emphasizing their stance against AI battle tech and its implications.
The music industry’s response to these departures underscores the growing tension between artists and streaming platforms, especially when ethical considerations clash with corporate interests. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard’s decision to part ways with Spotify serves as a poignant reminder of the power dynamics at play in the digital music landscape and the need for transparency and accountability.
As the exodus from Spotify gains momentum, questions loom over the platform’s future and its relationships with artists. The move by these prominent bands to distance themselves from Spotify highlights a broader conversation within the industry about the intersection of art, technology, and ethics.
With streaming services continuing to shape the music consumption habits of audiences worldwide, the actions taken by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and other artists shed light on the complexities of navigating the digital music ecosystem. As the debate over Spotify’s role in supporting controversial industries unfolds, the repercussions of this exodus may reverberate throughout the music streaming landscape.
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