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Café Tacvba Asks Labels To Pull Music From Spotify As Platform Defends Policies

The outcome hinges on label approval that has not been granted.

Overview

  • Vocalist Rubén Albarrán said he delivered formal letters to Universal Music México and Warner Music México requesting the band’s catalog be removed from Spotify.
  • Cited reasons include investments tied to military technology, prior ICE advertising, an unjust royalty pool with low payouts, and the use of AI that artists say undermines creative work.
  • Albarrán urged fans to listen on other services or boycott Spotify, framing the move as an ethical and artistic stance rather than a commercial decision.
  • Spotify responded that it does not finance wars, said there are currently no ICE ads, emphasized AI policies aimed at protecting human artists, and noted it pays about 70% of revenue to rights holders.
  • As of the latest reports, Café Tacvba’s music remains on Spotify, the labels have not confirmed a removal, and the action aligns with a broader artist protest that has included acts like King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Massive Attack and Deerhoof.