TikTok has banned D4vd, the “Romantic Homicide” singer whose real name is David Anthony Burke, weeks after he was charged with the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Searching his page now returns only an error message confirming the account has been banned, with all content erased. TikTok has not issued an official explanation, though the platform’s Community Guidelines prohibit the promotion of violence or graphic content, which may be the reason behind the removal.
The TikTok ban is just the latest in a growing wave of platforms and industry players cutting ties with the singer. YouTube demonetized his channel under their Creator Responsibility policy, with a spokesperson stating the decision followed “off-platform behavior that is harmful to YouTube’s Community.”
The music industry has also moved swiftly. Interscope Records quietly dropped D4vd last year, and Universal Music Group has helped some artists remove their collaborative songs with him from streaming platforms. Collaborations with Holly Humberstone, Laufey, Kali Uchis, and Damiano David have all been scrubbed, with Damiano replacing his D4vd-assisted track “Tangerine” with a solo version.
Pressure is mounting on the major streamers as well. The advocacy group Industry Blackout launched a Change.org petition calling on Spotify and Apple Music to remove his music entirely, arguing that continuing to stream and profit from his catalog when he has been charged with the sexual abuse and murder of a minor “is not a neutral” choice. Despite the pressure, D4vd still has 22.4 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, and both platforms have yet to take formal action against his catalog.
Burke was charged with first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and mutilation of human remains. He has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bail.
