Café Tacvba Asks Former Labels to Remove the Band’s Music From Spotify, Citing Ethical Concerns Over ICE’s Campaign, Use of AI & More
"We don't want our royalties and the money they take from us to be used to sponsor wars and other despicable actions," said vocalist Rubén Albarrán.
1/8/2026
"We don't want our royalties and the money they take from us to be used to sponsor wars and other despicable actions," said vocalist Rubén Albarrán.
Café Tacvba Persia Campbell
Mexican band Café Tacvba has asked its former record labels, Universal Music and Warner Music Mexico, to remove the group’s catalog from Spotify, arguing that the platform “contravenes their artistic and social principles.” The band’s vocalist Rubén Albarrán made the announcement on Wednesday (Jan. 7) in a message shared on social media.
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“I delivered letters to the record labels WMM and UMM, which by contract have the exploitation rights of Café Tacvba’s catalog, asking them to remove our music from the platform Stupidfy (sic) because it goes against our artistic vision and our personal and band ethics,” Albarrán said in the post.
Universal Music Mexico and Warner Music Mexico told Billboard Español on Thursday (Jan. 8) that they will not comment on the matter for now. At press time, the band’s music was still available on the platform.
Known for his activism in support of animals, the environment and human rights, Albarrán also urged his fans to listen to the band’s music on other platforms, claiming that Spotify has supported “reprehensible” actions, such as investments in weaponry and advertising for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as questioning the royalty distribution model and the use of artificial intelligence in the music industry.
“Music must have meaning, and it must support the people, give them strength,” he added, “and we don’t want our royalties and the money they take from us to be used to sponsor wars and other despicable actions.”
Pablo Txino García, the manager of Café Tacvba, confirmed to Billboard Español that the stance Albarrán made public on Wednesday “is a position shared by the band.” The famous rock quartet’s request to their former record labels sets a precedent in Mexico and Latin America, and opens a conversation about the use of music in a context that goes beyond its cultural vocation.
