[Viewpoint] Massive Attack leave Spotify because of involvement in military technology

It's no secret that Spotify isn't exactly a highly appreciated streaming platform among artists: by offering some of the lowest per-stream payouts, Daniel Ek's streaming giant continues to spark growing dissent among artists. Without these, streaming platforms wouldn't survive nor even exist! Despite this, Spotify currently (as of September 2025) pays a royalty per stream of between $0.003 and $0.005, so for 1,000 streams, an artist earns between $3 and $5. The fact that opinions about Daniel Ek's streaming giant aren't all positive is well-reported in the Netflix series “The Playlist”, which tells in great detail the history and controversies Spotify has faced since its inception. I recommend you watch it to understand the rot that lurks beneath the gilded veneer of the music industry (i.e. major labels and streaming platforms). The ones who pay the price are, of course, the artists, used as cannon fodder.

However, this discontent has increased in recent days due to the fact that Daniel Ek, Spotify founder and CEO, through his Prima Materia investment fund has committed a whopping $600 million to a company, Helsing, which was originally intended to develop AI and software for the military but is now aiming to build drones, aircraft, and submarines. The recent $600 million investment - though Prima Materia has been involved in Helsing since 2021 - comes at a time of significant evolution for the former startup, which recently raised €1.37 billion in external funding. In addition to the investment, Daniel Ek has also become chairman of the board of directors of Helsing.

After over 400 artists and record labels signed the “No Music For Genocide” manifesto, geoblocking and removing their music in Israel, Massive Attack has now also signed on and, in addition, withdrawn their music from Spotify.

Spotify's response was swift: Ek defended his investment, stating that strengthening Europe's defense capabilities is crucial amid growing geopolitical tensions.

The current winds don't seem to be blowing in Spotify's favour, which certainly didn't need any more shadows cast over its operations. In my opinion it's certainly bizarre and inappropriate that music revenues are being reinvested in military technology. Could this be the beginning of Spotify's decline, now that they've (finally!) launched their lossless streaming program? The competitors are waiting for nothing else. In the meantime, let's listen to “False Flags”, one of the many songs written by Massive Attack against the different mystifications of war.

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September 2025 Editorial

Massive Attack against Spotify