King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard’s Stu Mackenzie Reacts To Spotify AI Impersonator

Five months ago, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard pulled their music from Spotify, joining others in protesting Spotify CEO Daniel Ek’s investments in “AI military drone technology.” AI-generated “King Lizard Wizard” tracks impersonating the band appeared on Spotify, which prompted KGLW frontman Stu Mackenzie to respond, “We are truly doomed.”

Digital Music News reported that Spotify promoted a King Lizard Wizard track entitled “Rattlesnake” on users’ weekly Release Radar playlists. The song was audibly similar to a King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard song of the same name and used the same lyrics.

Communicating with The Music, Mackenzie said he was “trying to see the irony in this situation,” adding, “but, seriously WTF? We are truly doomed.”

The offending “Rattlesnake” and other impersonating tracks posted by King Lizard Wizard were taken down by Spotify. The account had amassed +34K monthly listeners.

“Spotify strictly prohibits any form of artist impersonation,” the streaming platform responded in a statement. “The content in question was removed for violating our platform policies, and no royalties were paid out for any streams generated.”

In July, King Gizz addressed their decision to leave Spotify in a “PSA” message posted to social media. The note called out Ek and encouraged others to join them on “another platform.”

“A PSA to those unaware: Spotify CEO Daniel Ek invests millions in AI military drone technology,” the band wrote. “We just removed our music from the platform. Can we put pressure on these Dr. Evil tech bros to do better?”

Deerhoof, Xiu Xiu, Sylvan Esso, Hotline TNT, WU LYF and other artists have also pulled their music from Spotify in response to Ek’s link to the defense company Helsing. Earlier this year Ek became chairman of the German firm developing AI technology that he previously invested in.

In 2026, Ek will transition from Spotify CEO into the role of executive chairmen. The company’s current Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Söderström and Chief Business Officer Alex Norström will take over a co-CEOS.