Deerhoof Leaving Spotify Over CEO’s Investment In AI Military Startup

In addition to being the CEO of Spotify, Daniel Ek is also the chairman of Helsing, a German defense technology company that develops AI software designed to enhance military weapons and equipment. Earlier this month Helsing said they raised nearly $700 million in a bumper new round of funding, with the investment led by Ek and the venture capital firm he also founded, Prima Materia. Artists certainly don’t need another reason to hate Spotify, but for Deerhoof, this was the straw the broke the camel’s (deer’s?) back. The art-rock band announced on social media today that they’d be removing their music from Spotify due to Ek’s investment in Helsing. It’s a powerful statement, and here it is in full: