Music Labels and AI: A Growing Concern
In a significant move within the music industry, Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group recently finalized a licensing agreement with Klay, an AI music streaming startup. This partnership enables the startup to utilize tens of thousands of songs for training its generative AI model. While WMG claims this will create new revenue opportunities for artists and ensure their work is safeguarded, some artists feel the protections are coming too late.
Jorja Smith’s Vocal Cloning Issue
One artist currently facing this dilemma is Jorja Smith, whose label, the indie UK label FAMM, is now pursuing a share of royalties from the viral AI-generated dance-pop track titled “I Run.” This song is credited to the fictional artist HAVEN. and gained traction in October. FAMM has already taken action to have the track removed from streaming platforms, asserting that the vocals featured in the song are an AI-generated clone of Smith’s voice.
The Aftermath of the Viral Hit
Following the removal, “I Run” has been re-recorded and re-uploaded, this time featuring vocals from singer Kaitlin Aragon. However, FAMM contends that the new version still employs AI models trained on Smith’s original recordings. The controversy began when early snippets of “I Run” circulated online, leading listeners to mistakenly believe it was an unreleased Jorja Smith track. FAMM argues that HAVEN.’s team did not clarify Smith’s involvement, allowing speculation to generate hype around the song.
Claims of Misrepresentation
The label further alleges that when “I Run” started gaining popularity, the HAVEN. team extended an invitation for Smith to participate in a remix, seemingly to add credibility to the project. However, they assert that there was no prior disclosure about the use of AI in manipulating Smith’s vocals, raising concerns about transparency and ethics in the use of AI in music production.
Compensation Demands
Harrison Walker, the individual behind HAVEN., has claimed that the vocals in question are his own, processed through a generative AI model. FAMM is not only seeking compensation for Smith but also for her co-writers whose work was used to train the AI models that created the song. This situation highlights a growing contention in the music industry regarding the intersection of AI technology and artist rights.
Chart Implications
Despite generating enough interest to potentially enter the Billboard Hot 100, “I Run” has yet to make an appearance on the charts. Questions remain regarding Billboard’s stance on whether AI-generated music will be eligible for their rankings. As the industry navigates these new waters, the implications for artists and songwriters could be significant, underscoring the ongoing conversation around music industry rights in the age of AI.
For more information on the evolving landscape of music rights, visit RIAA.