British trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack have joined a growing list of international artists boycotting music streaming in Israel as part of a cultural protest against the ongoing war in Gaza. The band, based in Bristol, UK, announced on Instagram that they have formally requested their label, Universal Music Group, to remove their tracks from all streaming platforms in Israeli territories.
The movement, called No Music for Genocide, brings together over 400 artists and labels who have geo-blocked or removed their music from Israel to show solidarity with Palestinians. According to AFP and The Guardian, the boycott is modeled after the cultural boycotts during apartheid-era South Africa.
Massive Attack also criticized Spotify, asking for their songs to be removed entirely from the platform. The band cited the platform’s CEO, Daniel Ek, for his involvement in Helsing, a European defense AI and drone manufacturer that received a €600 million ($705M) investment. In a statement, the group said, “The hard-earned money of fans and the creative endeavours of musicians fund lethal, dystopian technologies.”
Spotify has responded through The Guardian, clarifying that Spotify and Helsing are “totally separate companies” and that Helsing’s AI technology is used for defense in Ukraine, not in Gaza.
Massive Attack, long-time anti-war campaigners, referenced the cultural boycott of apartheid-era South Africa as inspiration for their stance. This move follows similar actions by musicians and record labels after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when several companies cut ties with Moscow.
The band recently performed in London at the Together for Palestine concert alongside artists like Bastille, Brian Eno, and DJ Jamie xx, urging public pressure on governments reluctant to impose stronger sanctions on Israel.
For more details on this story, visit AFP News and The Guardian.
