D4vd Dropped by Label as Industry Distances Itself Following Murder Charge

D4vd, the rising artist behind viral hits like Romantic Homicide, has been quietly dropped by his record label amid mounting legal troubles and increasing pressure on the music industry to respond to serious criminal allegations against performers.

According to multiple sources familiar with the situation, Interscope Records severed ties with the 21-year-old artist late last year, before his recent arrest. The move came as law enforcement scrutiny intensified around David Anthony Burke, the singer’s legal name, in connection with the death of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

Burke was formally charged with first-degree murder last week in Los Angeles County. Prosecutors allege that Rivas, who had reportedly been in contact with the artist, was last seen entering his Los Angeles residence in April 2025. Her dismembered and severely decomposed remains were discovered months later inside the front trunk of a Tesla linked to Burke.

The singer has pleaded not guilty. His legal team has maintained his innocence, stating that he “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez” and was not responsible for her death.

In the wake of the charges, the fallout across the music business has accelerated. Universal Music Group, which previously distributed Burke’s work through its affiliated labels, has reportedly assisted several artists in removing collaborations with him from streaming platforms. Among those who have taken action are Kali Uchis, who pulled their joint track Crashing, along with Holly Humberstone, Laufey, and Damiano David.

While Universal Music Group no longer holds ownership stakes in his recordings, sources indicate his deal was structured as a licensing agreement; the company has played a role in facilitating takedowns tied to collaborative releases.

Digital platforms have also begun to respond. YouTube confirmed that Burke’s channel has been demonetized under its Creator Responsibility policy, citing “off-platform behavior that is harmful to YouTube’s community.” As a result, his content is no longer eligible to generate advertising revenue.

However, major streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music have not yet publicly indicated whether they will remove Burke’s music entirely. Both companies have faced growing calls from advocacy organizations and segments of the public to take stronger action.

One such group, Industry Blackout, has launched a petition urging platforms to remove Burke’s catalog. In a statement accompanying the campaign, the group argued that continuing to host and monetize music tied to an artist facing allegations involving the sexual abuse and murder of a minor is “not a neutral” business decision, but one with broader ethical implications.

Before the allegations surfaced, Burke’s career trajectory had been defined by rapid ascent. Initially gaining attention by recording music at home, inspired in part by his interest in the video game Fortnite, he broke through in 2022 when tracks like “Romantic Homicide” and Here With Me went viral on TikTok. The success led to a deal with Darkroom Records in partnership with Interscope, culminating in the release of his EP Petals to Thorns in 2023 and his debut album Withered in April 2025.

That momentum has now been abruptly halted. As legal proceedings move forward, the response from the music industry, from label decisions to platform policies, is likely to remain under scrutiny, particularly as debates continue over how streaming services should handle artists facing serious criminal charges.