Major streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music are facing intense scrutiny regarding the continued availability of music by the artist D4vd. This pressure follows the artist's recent arrest and subsequent charges related to the murder and sexual abuse of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas.
The advocacy group Industry Blackout has initiated a petition on Change.org, urging these digital giants to remove his entire catalog. The organization argues that maintaining the availability of his music is not a neutral act but a choice to profit from an individual accused of heinous crimes against a minor.
The situation has prompted a significant shift within the music industry as former collaborators distance themselves from the artist. Notable figures such as Kali Uchis, Holly Humberstone, Laufey, and Damiano David have worked with Universal Music Group to remove their collaborative tracks from streaming services.
Although D4vd was signed to Darkroom Records under the Interscope/UMG umbrella, the label reportedly severed ties with him last year. This decision occurred months before the formal charges were filed, indicating that the industry had already begun to distance itself from the performer.
YouTube has also taken decisive action by demonetizing the artist's account. A spokesperson for the platform stated that this move aligns with their Creator Responsibility policy, citing off-platform behavior that is fundamentally harmful to the community.
Despite these developments, D4vd's music remains accessible on several major streaming platforms as of this weekend. Representatives for Apple and Spotify have yet to provide official comments regarding whether they intend to comply with the growing public demand for removal.
The legal proceedings against the artist, whose legal name is David Anthony Burke, are currently underway. He has entered a plea of not guilty to charges including first-degree murder and continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14.
Prosecutors allege that the crimes occurred in April 2025, with the victim's remains discovered months later in a vehicle linked to the suspect. The accused is currently being held without bail and faces the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted.