King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard become next band to leave SpotifyAustralian psychedelic rock band King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are removing their music from Spotify following CEO Daniel Ek’s involvement in an AI-driven military defence company.
King Gizzard join a growing number of bands migrating away from the platform, after it was revealed back in June that Ek had led a €600 million round of investment in Helsing: a German defence-tech company that develops AI software to enhance military weapons systems and other equipment.

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Posting on social media at the weekend, the band said they had “just removed” their music from the platform, though much of it remained accessible and playable on Spotify hours later.
A spokesperson for the band told Guardian Australia that their “entire catalogue will be coming down”, but explained that the process “takes time because of the different labels and distributors”.
In an Instagram story, also shared by the outlet, they also stated: “A PSA to those unaware: Spotify CEO Daniel Ek invests millions in Al military drone technology. We just removed our music from the platform. Can we put pressure on these Dr. Evil tech bros to do better?”

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Other artists that have left Spotify due to Ek’s Helsing links include indie rock outfit Xiu Xiu and the art-rock band Deerhoof. Announcing their decision, Xiu Xiu posted a statement on Instagram: “We are currently working to take all of our music off of garbage hole violent armageddon portal Spotify. It is taking longer than we had hoped due to procedural complications but will be completed soon. Thanks for the support and patience.”
In a new interview with Anthony Fantano, Xiu Xiu’s Jamie Stewart added further context behind their move away from Spotify, where he said: “We’ve wanted to for a long time. I mean, I’ve never been a fan of streaming. It devalues music generally. It makes music disposable.”
He later added, “When the announcement came that Spotify head Daniel Ek was using Spotify funds to directly invest in AI war murder drones… There was just no conceivable way that we could be involved in something like that.”

MusicTech has reached out to Spotify and Helsing for comment. You can find out more about King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard via their website.
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