Nearly 500 musicians and labels have chosen to restrict access to their music on Spotify, with some of them being Canadian. This movement, known as “No Music for Genocide,” is a cultural boycott initiative urging artists and rights-holders to withdraw their music from streaming platforms in Israel in protest against the ongoing genocide in Gaza, ethnic cleansing in the Occupied West Bank, apartheid in Israel, and political suppression of Pro-Palestine efforts worldwide.
The initiative was launched on September 18 with instructions on how to request limited access to music on Spotify in specific regions through an Instagram post. Notable Canadian musicians such as Elisapie, BadBadNotGood, Ouri, and Jonathan Personne, along with Montreal-based labels Constellation Records and Arbutus Records, were among the first to join. Since then, the list has grown to include nearly 500 musicians and labels, with electronic artist Caribou being a recent addition.
Caribou expressed his support on Instagram on September 30, stating, “I am joining the many other artists who have committed to @nomusicforgenocide and removing my music from streaming services in Israel in response to Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and oppression of the Palestinian people.”
Various prominent artists like Björk, Fontaines D.C., Japanese Breakfast, Aminé, Paramore, and Kneecap, the Irish hip-hop trio recently barred from performing in Canada, have also joined the boycott according to the No Music for Genocide website. Kneecap refuted allegations of supporting terrorist organizations and vowed to defend themselves against baseless accusations.
The campaign’s website emphasizes that this boycott is a concrete step towards supporting Palestinian demands to isolate and delegitimize Israel. It draws inspiration from successful cultural boycotts against apartheid South Africa, highlighting the influence artists have in advocating for change.
In addition to the music removal campaign in Israel, artists have been pulling their music from Spotify following the announcement that CEO Daniel Ek would invest nearly $700 million into a military AI company. This move has prompted concerns about indirectly supporting war efforts. As a result, artists like Sylvan Esso have taken a stand, stating on September 30 that they cannot continue to support a platform that funds war machines.
As the music industry grapples with ethical considerations, artists are increasingly using their platforms to advocate for social justice and align their actions with their values.
