Introduction to the Controversy
Greg Saunier, the founder of the acclaimed Bay Area band Deerhoof, had already been wary of Spotify due to its meager payouts to artists and songwriters, which are often estimated to be around $3 per thousand streams. However, he was particularly unnerved by the service’s pivot into AI and podcasting, where right-wing, conspiracy-peddling hosts like Joe Rogan received multimillion-dollar contracts while working musicians struggled.
The Investment in AI Weapons
The situation took a turn for the worse in June when Spotify’s Chief Executive, Daniel Ek, announced that he had led a funding round of nearly $700 million into the European defense firm Helsing through his personal investment firm, Prima Materia. Helsing specializes in AI software integrated into fighter aircraft, such as its HX-2 AI Strike Drone. Ek’s involvement with Helsing has sparked controversy, especially among musicians who are concerned about the ethics of investing in AI weapons.
Artists Pulling Their Music
In response to Ek’s investment, Deerhoof pulled its catalog from Spotify. "Every time someone listens to our music on Spotify, does that mean another dollar siphoned off to make all that we’ve seen in Gaza more frequent and profitable?" Saunier asked in an interview. The influential avant-garde band Xiu Xiu and the Amsterdam electronic label Kalahari Oyster Cult also announced that they would be removing their music from the platform. Most significantly, the Australian rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, which will headline the Hollywood Bowl on August 10, said that it would pull its dozens of albums from Spotify as well.
The Reasoning Behind the Decision
The bands’ decision to leave Spotify stems from their disagreement with Ek’s investment in AI weapons. "We don’t want our music contributing to or benefiting a platform led by someone backing tools of war, surveillance, and violence," Kalahari Oyster Cult posted. King Gizzard’s singer, Stu Mackenzie, stated that the band’s decision was about staying true to themselves and their values. "We’ve been saying ‘f— Spotify’ for years. In our circle of musicians, that’s what people say all the time for well-documented reasons," Mackenzie said.
The Impact on Spotify
While the exodus of these bands may not have a significant impact on Spotify’s estimated quarterly revenues of $4.8 billion, it may further sour young music fans on the platform. Many are outraged about wars in Gaza and elsewhere, and Ek’s investment in AI weapons has struck a nerve. The Union of Musicians and Allied Workers has criticized Ek’s actions, stating that they "prove once again that Ek views Spotify and the wealth he has pillaged from artists merely as a means to further his own wealth."
The Bigger Picture
Ek’s investment in Helsing is not an isolated incident. He has been involved with the company since 2021, when he invested nearly $115 million and joined the company’s board. This move is part of a larger trend of tech moguls investing in defense technology. Google, Apple, and Amazon have also invested in companies that develop military technology. While Ek’s actions may not be directly tied to Spotify, the money does come from his personal wealth, which was built through his ownership of Spotify’s stock.
The Future of Music Streaming
The controversy surrounding Ek’s investment in AI weapons has raised questions about the future of music streaming. While Spotify dominates the record economy, its prioritization of profits over artists’ values has led to a growing distrust among musicians and fans. The company’s push toward Discovery Mode, which offers lower royalty rates in exchange for better placement in its algorithm, has added to the sense that Spotify is antagonistic to working artists’ values.
Conclusion
The decision by several bands to pull their music from Spotify in response to Daniel Ek’s investment in AI weapons is a significant development in the music industry. While it may not have a major impact on Spotify’s revenues, it highlights the growing concern among musicians and fans about the ethics of investing in AI weapons. As the music industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more artists taking a stand against companies that prioritize profits over values.
FAQs
- Why did Deerhoof pull its music from Spotify?
Deerhoof pulled its music from Spotify in response to Daniel Ek’s investment in the European defense firm Helsing, which specializes in AI software integrated into fighter aircraft. - Which other bands have pulled their music from Spotify?
Xiu Xiu, Kalahari Oyster Cult, and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard have also announced that they will be removing their music from the platform. - What is Helsing, and what does it do?
Helsing is a European defense firm that specializes in AI software integrated into fighter aircraft, such as its HX-2 AI Strike Drone. - How much did Daniel Ek invest in Helsing?
Ek led a funding round of nearly $700 million into Helsing through his personal investment firm, Prima Materia. - What is the controversy surrounding Ek’s investment in Helsing?
The controversy surrounds the ethics of investing in AI weapons, which many musicians and fans believe is morally wrong.
