Spotify Removes AI-Generated King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Imitator For Artist Impersonation Violations

Months after King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard deliberately pulled their catalog from Spotify, the band’s name has resurfaced on the platform under far more dubious circumstances — this time involving an AI-generated impersonation project.

The Australian psych-rock collective exited Spotify in July as a public protest against ethical concerns surrounding the company’s leadership. The move followed Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek’s involvement in a $693.6 million funding round for Helsing, a firm developing AI technology for military use through Ek’s Prima Materia investment company. King Gizzard cited the investment as irreconcilable with their values, walking away from roughly 1.1 million monthly listeners in the process.

Despite that clean break, November brought a strange twist when a project operating under the name ‘King Lizard Wizard’ appeared across Spotify and other streaming platforms. The act uploaded a self-titled EP that closely mirrored King Gizzard’s sound, structure, and even song titles, while controversially crediting songwriting to frontman Stu Mackenzie.

The release lingered online until it began circulating widely on social media and in music coverage, drawing attention to what many described as blatant AI-generated mimicry. Following the increased scrutiny, Spotify has now removed the EP, citing violations of its impersonation policies.

A Spotify spokesperson confirmed the decision in a statement to The Music:

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

While Spotify has taken action, the situation isn’t fully resolved. As of press time, the same EP remains available on competing streaming service Tidal.

Stu Mackenzie has since addressed the bizarre episode, offering a grimly amused response:

“Trying to see the irony in this situation,”

before adding:

“But seriously wtf we are truly doomed.”

The incident has once again highlighted growing concerns around AI-generated music, artist identity misuse, and the uneven enforcement of protections across digital streaming platforms.

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