(Credits: Georgina Hurdsfield / MJ Lenderman)
Over 400 artists and labels, such as Fontaines DC and MJ Lenderman, have expressed collective action through the new ‘No Music For Genocide’ cultural boycott initiative, which asks artists and rights-holders to pull their music from streaming platforms in Israel.
In reaction to the worsening conflict in Gaza, many huge artists have announced their intention to remove all of their music from Israeli streaming platforms and “reclaim agency.”
Names behind the initiative include Massive Attack, Rina Sawayama, MIKE, Primal Scream, Faye Webster, Arca, Maryam Saleh, Kelela, Oklou, Yaeji, Ana Tijoux, King Krule, Annahstasia, and Japanese Breakfast.
The list continues to include Amyl And The Sniffers, Nadah El Shazly, Kneecap, Eartheater, Erika de Casier, Bayonet Records, Fat Tony, Mannequin Pussy, Liv.e, Mechatok, Redveil, HorsegiirL, Chanel Beads, Wednesday, PAN, Nick León, Escho, Saul Williams, Yeule, and more.
As per Stereogum, their official statement begins, “Culture can’t stop bombs on its own, but it can help reject political repression, shift public opinion toward justice, and refuse the art-washing and normalization of any company or nation that commits crimes against humanity.”
It continues, “This initiative is one part of a worldwide movement to erode the support Israel needs to continue its genocide. We’re inspired by the escalating efforts in pursuit of that goal, from the recent Film Workers For Palestine pledge to Spain’s ban of Israel-bound ships and planes to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard to dockworkers in Morocco who’ve refused to load weapons onto vessels ordered by Tel Aviv.”
The statement then details how many in the industry have been “unsure how to use music in this moment,” before continuing, “Our first goal with No Music For Genocide is to inspire others to reclaim their agency and direct their influence toward a tangible act.”
It concludes with a message of hope: “We are so grateful for all of the artists, managers, and labels who have already committed to this first step, and we’re excited to expand this together. The more of us there are, the stronger we will be. This is just the beginning.”
The artists backing the boycott have edited their release territories. In cases where this proves difficult, the musicians have sent geo-block requests to their distributor or label.
In the film industry, thousands of Hollywood stars and filmmakers have pledged not to work with Israeli film institutions in an open letter from Film Workers For Palestine.
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