AI Composers' Triumphs Fuel Discussion Over the Music World's Future
In a groundbreaking move, British AI music creator Oliver McCann, who goes by the stage name imoliver, has signed with independent record label Hallwood Media. This marks the first time a music label has inked a contract with an AI music creator, signifying the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the music world.
McCann, who has no musical talent and cannot sing or play instruments, has made waves with his synthetic music group, Velvet Sundown. Despite all its songs, lyrics, and album art being created by AI, the group went viral, showcasing the potential of AI in music creation.
McCann's songs span various genres, including indie-pop, electro-soul, country-rap, and more. He creates up to 100 different versions of a song before he's satisfied, using AI tools like Suno and Udio.
Last month, McCann signed with Hallwood Media, a move that could set a precedent for the industry. His signing is an example of how AI song generation tools have spawned a wave of synthetic music.
Lukas Rams, a Philadelphia-area resident, also uses AI to create lyrics for his AI band Sleeping With Wolves. Rams writes his own words for his AI-generated songs, sometimes while putting his kids to bed.
Scott Smith, a semi-retired former U.S. Navy public affairs officer, creates music using AI tools as well. Smith, whose AI band, Pulse Empire, was inspired by 1980s British synthesizer-driven groups like New Order and Depeche Mode, sees AI as just another tool for music creation.
However, the music industry is not welcoming this change without resistance. Record labels are trying to fend off the threat that AI music startups pose to their revenue streams, while recording artists worry that it will devalue their creativity. Three major record companies, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Records, filed lawsuits last year against Suno and Udio for copyright infringement.
Moreover, significant artists including Eva Klesse have protested proposed changes to British AI laws, fearing these laws would erode their creative control. More than 1,000 musicians, including Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, and Damon Albarn, released a silent album to protest proposed changes to U.K. laws on AI they fear would erode their creative control.
Despite these concerns, some artists, such as will.i.am, Timbaland, and Imogen Heap, have embraced the technology. AI song generators can produce lyrics, but they are often considered cliche and boring by experienced users.
Experts predict that AI's potential to let anyone create a hit song could shake up the music industry's production pipeline. However, its impact on the $29.6 billion global recorded music market is not yet clear.
The music world is divided over the role of AI in music, with concerns about AI slop (automatically generated low quality mass produced content). GEMA, a German royalty collection society, has sued Suno, accusing it of generating music similar to songs like "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega and "Forever Young" by Alphaville.
Deezer estimates that 18% of songs uploaded to its platform every day are purely AI generated, though they only account for a tiny amount of total streams. As AI continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how it will shape the future of the music industry.
