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The Velvet Sundown, a psychedelic rock band, has gained over a million monthly listeners on Spotify and generates thousands of dollars in revenue each month. What makes them unique is that they are not a traditional band – they are primarily created by artificial intelligence.
According to their Spotify bio, The Velvet Sundown is a synthetic music project that is guided by human creative direction but composed, voiced, and visualized using AI. This marks a potential shift in the direction of music creation.
This revelation has sparked a heated discussion within the music industry. Some view it as an exciting new frontier for creativity, while others see it as a challenge to the core values of music: originality, emotion, and human expression.
A woman listening to music on her headphones (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
AI tools revolutionize music creation
Platforms like Suno and Udio now enable users to generate original songs with just a few prompts. These tools handle vocals, instruments, and song structure with impressive sophistication.
The Velvet Sundown reportedly earned over $34,000 in a single month from streaming platforms. Other acts, such as Aventhis, a “dark country” musician with over 600,000 monthly listeners, are also believed to be driven by AI-generated content.
This process does not require a full studio setup with a team of producers. Often, it is just one individual inputting text and receiving tracks as output. The accessibility to this technology has significantly lowered. With a laptop and an internet connection, anyone can create and distribute AI-generated songs on a large scale.
A man creating music on his laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Music industry reacts with concern and legal action
Major record labels are resisting this change. Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Records have filed lawsuits against AI music platforms, accusing them of utilizing copyrighted material without permission in the training process.
Musicians and advocacy groups are urging for regulation. They want AI-generated tracks to be clearly labeled and updated copyright protections to prevent the misuse of human-created work during AI training.
Streaming platforms are beginning to acknowledge the issue. Deezer disclosed that almost one in every five new uploads are entirely AI-generated. This trend is gaining momentum and reshaping the definition of being a musician in today’s landscape.
Wireless on-ear headphones (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Artists feel overshadowed by AI-generated music
For emerging musicians, the rise of AI poses a significant challenge. Artists like Tilly Louise, an alternative pop artist from the UK, have garnered millions of streams but still need a full-time job because their music does not generate sufficient income. Seeing an AI-generated band achieve massive streaming success can feel like being sidelined by something that lacks human authenticity.
Many artists share this sentiment. They feel overwhelmed by an industry that increasingly values quantity and virality over genuine expression and hard work.
Differing perspectives on AI in music
While some view AI as a threat, others see it as an opportunity. Grammy-winning producer Timbaland recently launched Stage Zero, a venture that aims to showcase AI-generated pop stars. Music schools are adapting as well, teaching students how to leverage AI tools to enhance their creative process.
Regardless of one’s stance on the technology, it is clear that AI has the potential to reshape the music business entirely. As AI-generated content becomes easier to produce, the competition for listener attention and streaming revenue will only intensify.
The future of music remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: AI is no longer on the fringes – it is now firmly entrenched in the mainstream.
A man creating music on his laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Key takeaways from Kurt
AI is no longer just supporting music creation; it is actively producing music that listeners enjoy. From rock to country to pop, AI-generated songs are becoming more prevalent in playlists. The real question is not about the quality of AI music, but rather whether listeners will mind that it was not crafted by a human. As technology advances and the line between human and machine blurs, answering that question will become increasingly challenging.
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