AI generated music has been rising in popularity as technology advances. Several startups and major technology companies are building artificial intelligence systems that are changing the music scene. They are capable of composing and producing novel songs, curating personalized music recommendations and even mimicking the vocal stylings of famous singers. This has sparked both excitement and concern over AI’s potential impact on fans and artists.
AI music controversies
The AI-generated Drake and the Weeknd song “Heart on My Sleeve” has been the center of recent discussions about AI generated music. The anonymous artist, Ghostwriter, submitted the song for Grammy consideration for song of the year and best rap song. Initially, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said the song was eligible because it was written by a human. That changed when he posted a video to instagram updating the public that the song would not be eligible for the Grammys.
“Even though it was written by a human creator, the vocals were not legally obtained, the vocals were not cleared by the label or the artists and the song is not commercially available and, because of that, it’s not eligible,” Mason said in the video.
Many share the same sentiment as the Grammys’ CEO, however, not everyone uses AI in the same way. Some famous artists are using AI in different ways to create new music.
Artists using AI
The Beatles made a new song with the help of AI. Paul McCartney told BBC that he and his team used AI to isolate and extract John Lennon’s vocal track from an old demo. Despite the band’s use of AI to help create a new song, McCartney still seems apprehensive of the new technology.
While describing AI, McCartney said it is “kind of scary but exciting … We will just have to see where that leads.”
MIDNATT a new K-pop artist from HYBE has also used AI to make music. MIDNATT released his debut single “Masquerade” in six different languages. To help with pronunciation, tone, delivery and feminizing MIDNATT’s voice, him and his team team used AI. MIDNATT specifically did this with the help of Supertone, an AI audio company. Bang Si-hyuk the founder and chairman of HYBE shared his thoughts on AI in music in a Billboard cover story.
“I don’t know how long human artists can be the only ones to satisfy human needs and human tastes,” he said.
Those in in the music industry generally frown upon using AI to mimic an artists voice. Despite that, fans and the general public are still tuning in. “Heart on My Sleeve” garnered 600 thousand Spotify streams and 15 million TikTok views before it was taken down by Universal Music Group.
What do artists think?
While the use of AI in music intrigues fans, it is also getting the attention of artists themselves. Canadian rapper Drake reacted to a AI generated cover that sounds like him rapping to Ice Spice’s “Munch.” He posted a clip of the song on his Instagram story along with a caption that said, “This is the last straw AI.” From this, the fans gathered that he disapproved of AI covers.
Another artist who has commented on AI generated music is Jung Kook from BTS. Jung Kook is signed with HYBE, the same company as the artist MIDNATT who used AI. His perspective differs slightly from Drake’s.
Jung Kook has briefly explained his thoughts on AI generated music. He has said before that AI music would lack sincerity and expressed his reluctance to use AI himself if he were to lose his voice.
“To be honest I think it’s going to be possible … if they get voice and pronunciation data … AI will be able to sing later on. We came to a point now where we don’t need to record. But it’s not real. You need to record. If my voice is gone … I need to do something else now. I can’t sing. It’s not genuine,” he said in a WeVerse live.
Despite some doubts that he has, Jung Kook seems to embrace the possibility that AI may be the future of music.
The future of music
As AI technology advances, everyday people may be able to compose and produce music. With the help of AI, aspiring artists could, in the future, make professional-sounding music without any formal training. Personalized playlists will most likely also improve. Streaming services will curate playlists and recommendations tailored to each user’s habits.
Spotify has even already launched a new AI DJ feature.
“The DJ is a personalized AI guide that knows you and your music taste so well that it can choose what to play for you,” said Spotify in their announcement.
The possibilities of what is to come in music are endless with AI.
While controversial, AI has unlocked exciting new possibilities for musical creation, curation and consumption. As AI technology continues to grow, it will change how we experience music and raise ethical questions about artificial creativity. One thing is certain: the sound of music is rapidly evolving.
