Boy George Claims Bandcamp Removed His Pro-Israel Song Following Pressure From “Antisemites”

Boy George has renewed his criticism of Bandcamp, claiming the platform “bowed to the pressure of antisemites” when it removed his song supporting Israel, ‘We Will Dance Again’. He also challenged the company’s rules surrounding AI generated music.

The latest dispute follows comments made yesterday, August 4, when he described the online music distribution service as a “bunch of c***s” after his profile was deleted.

“The drama continues,” he said at the time. “Sadly Bandcamp have removed my profile, so anyone trying to get a copy of ‘We Will Dance Again’ will have to wait until I record it and find a way to put it out.”

“Also they’ve taken money, so hopefully Bandcamp will refund that money,” he continued. “It’s very disappointing and obviously, if you’ve got the track already, make videos, play it on the internet. Play it everywhere, get it heard.”

Bandcamp later told NME that the song had not been taken down because of its political message. The company said the removal was connected to the way the track was produced, following Boy George’s confirmation that AI had been used during its creation.

The company explained: “The track was removed based on violation of our Acceptable Use & Moderation Policy, which in specific regard to this case, prohibits music and audio that is wholly or in substantial part created, composed, or generated by artificial intelligence. Any track that meets our Acceptable Use & Moderation Policy is always welcome on Bandcamp.”

George has since replied to the statement through X, disputing Bandcamp’s explanation. He wrote: “So, update on the @bandcamp saga. When you upload a track it has to be a wav and it rejects MP3s. Yet it allowed me to upload my track and it stayed there for over 24 hours which mean the haters alerted them or they did not like the message.

“It has absolutely no way of telling whether something is AI but in my case I have been completely upfront and have made it clear, lyrics and melody from myself and AI assisted music. It seems obvious that despite the claims of @bandcamp there is a shitload of AI assisted music all over the website and to deny this is not only misleading but moronic.”

He continued: “It appears they have bowed to the pressure of antisemites because the system, just like any digital platform cannot tell if something is AI. Or maybe the problem is internal but I don’t buy the no AI policy because @bandcamp has it in droves.

“Leave the creative process to the artists. Even if you don’t agree with it. Sometimes the message is greater than the rules and we sold a ton. Some people paying a thousand pounds and many dropping 100 pounds. Hopefully that money will be refunded in full to those of you who payed and could not download after they shut a bitch down. I live for this total grass roots moment! Rock and Fucking Reggae roll!”

NME has contacted Bandcamp to request a response to George’s latest remarks.

‘We Will Dance Again’ sparked divided reactions following its arrival last month. Much of the criticism focused on lyrics that appear to dismiss descriptions of Israel’s military operation in Gaza as genocide while taking aim at artists who have publicly expressed support for Palestine.

George later explained that the song was influenced by his trip to the Nova Music Festival Exhibition in London, along with conversations he had with people affected by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Following the track’s release, the Culture Club frontman withdrew from his scheduled two week appearance at the London Palladium, where he had been due to portray King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar. He also separated from his record label manager after the song was reportedly refused a release.

Responding to the negative reaction surrounding the track, Boy George insisted that its intended message was “pro-peace”.

George has repeatedly expressed solidarity with Jewish communities in recent years. In May, he delivered a supportive message during a London march opposing antisemitism.

His newest release was described by Heaven 17 and The Human League co-founder Martyn Ware as an “overtly pro-genocide, anti-Palestinian piece of musical propaganda”. Patrick Clanton, who formerly performed with George in the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge!, also said he felt “embarrassed” to have worked alongside him.