Image via @Grimes
Use her voice and get paid $$$.
AI-generated music is gaining rapid popularity and Drake’s “Munch” cover was just the tip of the iceberg. Fantasy mashups are everywhere and aspiring ghost writers are taking to AI to hear their bars performed by big name artists. (Some of ‘em are actually good, tbh.)
While fans may see this as the only way to get a Rihanna album in time for the summer or to hear what Notorious BIG would sound like performing a Nas track, artists are rightfully not into AI and see its harmful potential in this regard. Drake’s label Universal Music Group recently had an AI track featuring the rapper and The Weeknd removed from Spotify and Apple Music, and they’re applying more pressure to streaming services to block AI tracks all together.
Not everyone agrees with this stance. Grimes recently took to Instagram to offer a 50/50 royalty split with anyone using her voice on an AI track. She shared a screenshot regarding the Drake x Weeknd AI song adding:
“I’ll split 50% royalties on any successful AI generated song that uses my voice. Same deal as I would with any artist I collab with. Feel free to use my voice without penalty. I have no label and no legal bindings.”
User @ejurbanczyk wrote, “And just like that the entire music industry is changed forever.”
For better or for worse, they’re right.