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August 5, 2026 \u2014 12:44pm<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n British musician Boy George has accused the music distribution website Bandcamp of removing his profile after backlash against the controversial AI-generated pro\u2011Israel song We Will Dance Again, in a tirade against the platform in a video posted to social media.<\/p>\n In the video posted to Instagram on Tuesday<\/a> (AEST), the former The Voice Australia judge, whose real name is George Alan O\u2019Dowd, said: \u201cSadly, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n George then accused the platform of having \u201ctaken money\u201d in the video \u2013 although he didn\u2019t specify from whom \u2013 and said he hoped it would issue a refund before urging fans to listen and share the song.<\/p>\n On its update blog, Bandcamp wrote in January<\/a> that \u201cmusic and audio that is generated wholly or in substantial part by AI is not permitted on Bandcamp\u201d.<\/p>\n However, on Wednesday morning (AEST) George hit back on X, alleging that \u201cdespite 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\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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\u2019t buy the no AI policy because @bandcamp has it in droves,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the song?<\/p>\n Released via social media on July 27, We Will Dance Again <\/a>is an AI-generated reggae track \u2013 with vocals that sound nothing like George \u2013 that voices support for Israel\u2019s military action in Palestine, with the opening lyrics stating: \u201cYou say genocide, I say war \/ When you\u2019re attacked, that\u2019s what the army\u2019s for \/ Does it get ugly? You bet it does \/ When I know you wanna kill every last one of us\u201d.<\/p>\n George references Hamas\u2019 attack on Israel and specifically the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, saying revellers killed were \u201cmurder[ed] \u2026 for the crime of dancing\u201d.<\/p>\n The phrase \u201cWe will dance again\u201d has been used by Israelis as a phrase for resilience during the Gaza war in reference to the Nova festival, and was the title of a 2024 documentary<\/a> that looked at the attack on the festival.<\/p>\n The attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1200 Israelis across the country,<\/a> while about 240 were taken hostage.<\/p>\n Since the attack and subsequent war in Gaza, more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Gaza Ministry of Health.<\/p>\n How the backlash has played out<\/p>\n George\u2019s criticism of Bandcamp is the latest in a series of developments since backlash began after the song\u2019s release. Last Friday, his manager pulled him out of his role as King Herod in a West End production of Jesus Christ Superstar following the backlash.<\/p>\n Paul Kemsley, the Culture Club frontman\u2019s manager, said in an Instagram post<\/a> that he had \u201cdecided, in my capacity as Boy George\u2019s manager, that he will no longer be appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cGeorge has never been afraid to stand by his personal convictions, and I have always respected him for that. Equally, I believe it is my responsibility to make decisions that are in the best interests of my artist while also showing respect to others,\u201d the post continued.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this instance, I felt it was right to step aside, allowing the production to remain the focus, while ensuring everyone involved can move forward with mutual respect and goodwill.\u201d<\/p>\n Days later, George said he had parted ways with the longtime manager of his independent record label, BGP (Boy George Presents), Tony Pontius, after he refused to be involved with the song\u2019s release.<\/p>\n Related Article \u201cIn Buddhism we understand that every action comes with a consequence. Due to my decision to stand up for my Jewish friends, I am losing a few people from my life,\u201d O\u2019Dowd said in a post to X on Sunday.<\/p>\n \u201cToday I parted company with Tony Pontius who has run my record label BGP for a number of years. I wanted to release We Will Dance Again, but he was unequivocal and said \u2018I want nothing to do with this song\u2019 and I responded \u2018ok, we are done\u2019.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen someone is gutless, it really does not hurt to say goodbye. My faith in humanity will not diminish, and the truth will always win.\u201d<\/p>\n The 65\u2011year\u2011old has stood by his song, taking to X to say: \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what I think or what you think. When will you realise you\u2019re doing NOTHING! \u2026 I am even falling out with Jewish friends. The madness knows no bounds.\u201d<\/p>\n Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n![\"Boy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/3c8b2d31a9b4df437ccb1cc58c14726a409f038c.jpeg\")
Boy George has labelled the owners of music production platform Bandcamp \u201ca bunch of c—s\u201d after claiming they removed his profile.AP Photo\/Richard Drew<\/p>\n![\""I](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/e9ed729ccabfa944130eedf833a5688fd5960e5f.jpeg\")
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Kayla Olaya<\/a> is a culture reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email<\/a>.From our partners