Spotify and Apple Music Pressured to Remove Music of Singer Charged in Celeste Rivas Hernandez Killing

Late last year, Interscope Records quietly dropped rising singer D4vd from its label, and in the wake of the singer’s arrest for murder, Universal Music Group has assisted artists who collaborated with D4vd in removing their joint songs from streaming platforms, according to Rolling Stone.

The artist, born David Anthony Burke, was charged Monday with first-degree murder in the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Authorities allege Burke and the victim were in a relationship, and her dismembered and severely decomposed body was discovered in Burke’s Tesla last September. Hernandez was last seen alive entering Burke’s Los Angeles home in late April 2025.

Burke, 21, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His legal team maintains that he did not cause Hernandez’s death and denies responsibility for her killing.

Prior to the discovery of Hernandez’s body, Burke’s career had experienced rapid growth. His interest in the video game Fortnite inspired him to record music from his bedroom closet. By 2022, tracks such as “Romantic Homicide” and “Here With Me” gained widespread popularity on TikTok, leading to a record deal with Darkroom Records under the Interscope/UMG umbrella.

Burke released his debut EP, Petals to Thorns, in May 2023, followed by his first full-length album, Withered, in April 2025. After law enforcement began investigating him as a suspect, his record label quietly terminated their relationship sometime during the previous year. Rolling Stone reports that Universal Music Group does not hold ownership or copyright over Burke’s music, as his agreement was structured as a licensing deal; streaming platforms now credit his work to D4VD ENT., LLC.

In response to the allegations, several artists who have collaborated with Burke have taken steps to remove their joint projects from public availability. Kali Uchis was among the first to act, withdrawing their duet “Crashing” from streaming services. She was subsequently followed by Holly Humberstone, Laufey, and Damiano David, who have also removed their collaborative tracks with Burke from circulation.

Amid increasing pressure on streaming platforms to remove Burke’s music, YouTube has demonetized his official channel. A company spokesperson confirmed to Rolling Stone that Burke has been suspended from the YouTube Partner Program under its Creator Responsibility policy due to off-platform conduct deemed harmful to the community. His channels are no longer eligible to generate revenue through the platform.