Deerhoof protests Spotify’s leadership and military ties by removing their music from the platform

Indie-rock band Deerhoof announced they will be removing their music from Spotify due to the platform’s CEO Daniel Ek’s investments in military technology. The band expressed their opposition to Ek’s financial backing of AI-driven military tech, criticizing the use of their success in connection with such investments. Deerhoof specifically referenced Ek’s involvement with Prima Materia, which recently funded Helsing, a defense company that applies AI in military decision-making. The band also took issue with Spotify’s role in music discovery, claiming the platform has become a ‘data-mining scam’ that harms artists and users alike. Deerhoof’s decision is part of a larger trend of musicians pulling their content from Spotify, with artists like Neil Young and Joni Mitchell having done so in the past. The band’s label, Joyful Noise Recordings, expressed support for Deerhoof’s choice, urging fans to buy music directly from artists to ensure their financial sustainability. While Deerhoof’s music won’t be removed immediately, they have confirmed that the process will begin as soon as possible.