News/Music
King Gizzard pulls music from Spotify over CEO’s AI drone investments
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard has pulled their entire catalog from Spotify, citing CEO Daniel Ek's investments in AI military drone technology through his defense company ties. The Australian rock band's departure marks the latest in a growing wave of artist boycotts targeting Spotify's leadership over ethical concerns, potentially signaling broader industry tensions around streaming platform investments. What you should know: The prolific rock band removed all 27 studio albums, plus live recordings and compilations, from the world's largest music streaming service. Their Instagram statement read: "Spotify CEO Daniel Ek invests millions in AI military drone technology. We just...
read Jul 23, 2025Spotify removes AI songs falsely attributed to deceased country artists
Spotify removed AI-generated songs falsely attributed to deceased country artists Blaze Foley and Guy Clark after fans and record labels flagged the fraudulent uploads. The tracks, which appeared on the artists' official pages with proper cover art and credits, slipped through Spotify's content verification systems via TikTok's music distributor SoundOn, highlighting a troubling escalation in AI-generated content fraud that could undermine artist legacies and streaming platform integrity. What happened: Two AI-generated country songs appeared on Spotify under the names of artists who died decades ago, presented as official releases. "Together," attributed to Blaze Foley (who was shot and killed in...
read Jul 18, 2025Sheryl Crow criticizes Trump era and AI, has a feeling she’s not the only one
Sheryl Crow has released "The New Normal," a new single critiquing the current political climate under President Trump while addressing concerns about artificial intelligence and societal shifts. The song, performed with her touring band the Real Lowdown, reflects the singer's fears that increasingly "bizarre" circumstances might become accepted as ordinary. What she's saying: Crow expressed her concerns about current events in social media posts accompanying the release.• "What's happening all around us is so unbelievably bizarre, that my fear is we will truly begin to feel like this is normal. And that's what terrifies me," she wrote on Instagram. Key...
read Jul 18, 2025Not at all shook up: London’s AI-enhanced Elvis show flops without the King’s charisma
Elvis Evolution, a new immersive show at London's Excel Waterfront complex, attempts to bring the rock icon back to life through AI-enhanced video footage and recreated sets. The experience fails to capture the energy and charisma that made Elvis legendary, delivering a lackluster spectacle that feels more like a theme park attraction than a meaningful tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. What you should know: Elvis Evolution represents a growing trend of immersive entertainment experiences that blend theater, amusement park attractions, and interactive spectacles. The show takes place at Immerse LDN and has been heavily advertised across London's...
read Jul 17, 2025Google adds visual song search history to Circle to Search on Android
Google has added Song Search history to Circle to Search on Android, allowing users to view their recent music searches in an organized grid format. The feature, which was previously available only on iOS, provides a more visual way to track music identification history compared to the existing text-based activity log. What you should know: The new history feature appears as a clock icon in the top-right corner of Circle to Search's music interface. After tapping the music icon in Circle to Search, users can access "Recent song searches" showing cover art, song titles, artists, and search dates. The grid...
read Jul 14, 2025Wrap-id fire marketing witnessed as Popeyes uses AI to create McDonald’s diss track in 3 days
Popeyes launched an AI-generated diss track targeting McDonald's over the timing of their Snack Wrap return, which came just one day after Popeyes introduced its own Chicken Wraps. The satirical "Wrap Battle" video, created using Google's Veo 3 AI model, represents a new frontier in rapid-response marketing where brands can produce polished campaigns in days rather than weeks. What you should know: AI filmmaker PJ Accetturo partnered with Popeyes to create the campaign, using a combination of AI tools to produce both the music and video content. The track was produced using Suno, an AI music production platform, with human...
read Jul 10, 2025Hallucination as inspiration: Music platform creates new feature after AI chatbot falsely advertises capability
Soundslice has developed a new ASCII tablature import feature after discovering that ChatGPT was falsely telling users the sheet music platform already supported this text-based guitar notation format. The incident represents what may be the first documented case of a company building functionality specifically in response to an AI model's hallucination, raising questions about how businesses should handle AI-generated misinformation about their products. What happened: Adrian Holovaty, co-founder of Soundslice, noticed unusual activity in the company's error logs where users were submitting screenshots of ChatGPT conversations containing ASCII tablature instead of typical sheet music uploads. When Holovaty tested ChatGPT himself,...
read Jul 1, 2025Future Sound Awards kicks off with $10K contest for AI-generated music
The Future Sound Awards launched Tuesday as a global competition for AI-generated music, offering $10,000 in prizes to recognize creators using artificial intelligence tools. The contest aims to become the "Grammys of the AI music space" while navigating copyright concerns by requiring all entries to use rights-cleared audio and disqualifying any music containing copyrighted material. What you should know: The awards represent a significant step toward legitimizing AI music creation in an industry grappling with ethical and legal challenges. Entries will be judged on inspiration, process, vocals, lyrics, and beat, along with performance on a dedicated chart powered by SoundCloud....
read Jul 1, 2025Contradiction as AI band hits 500K Spotify streams though listeners find it “soulless”
An AI-generated band called The Velvet Sundown has reached over 500,000 listens on Spotify despite not actually existing, with everything from their classic rock-inspired tracks to their Instagram photos appearing to be artificially created. This milestone highlights the growing sophistication of AI music generation and raises fundamental questions about authenticity in creative expression, as listeners grapple with whether machine-generated content can deliver the same emotional connection as human artistry. What you should know: The Velvet Sundown presents itself as a real band online but appears to be entirely AI-generated, from music to promotional materials. The band's sound is described as...
read Jul 1, 2025Decades out, Napster relaunches as AI companion service with photorealistic avatars for $19/month
Napster has relaunched as an AI company offering "Napster Companions"—AI-generated agents with distinct personalities that users can chat with via video interfaces. The rebranded platform, owned by a Florida company that purchased the Napster name for $207 million in March, represents yet another reinvention of the once-famous file-sharing brand, this time targeting the growing market for personalized AI assistants. What you should know: The AI companions are designed to provide expertise across various domains, from cooking and finance to health and software development. Users pay $19 monthly or $219 annually for access, with the annual plan including a "Napster View"—a...
read Jun 20, 2025Google adds song identification to Gemini but clunkily kicks users out of the app
Google has added song identification capabilities to Gemini on Android, allowing users to ask "What song is this?" to trigger the same Song Search interface used by Google Assistant. However, the feature currently launches a separate full-screen interface through the Google app rather than staying within Gemini itself, creating a less seamless experience compared to existing alternatives. How it works: The new feature leverages Google's existing Song Search technology but requires users to leave the Gemini interface. Users can ask Gemini "What song is this?" which then opens the Google app's full-screen listening interface. The tool can identify music from...
read Jun 20, 2025Deezer battles AI music fraud as streaming scams reach 20K daily tracks
Music streaming service Deezer will begin flagging AI-generated songs on its platform as part of an escalating battle against streaming fraud. The Paris-based company reports that 18% of daily uploads—roughly 20,000 tracks—are now completely AI-generated, nearly doubling from 10% just three months earlier, with fraudsters using these songs to manipulate streams and collect royalties illegally. The big picture: AI-generated music is becoming a vehicle for large-scale streaming fraud, with Deezer estimating that seven in 10 listens of AI songs come from bots rather than humans. Fraudsters "create tons of songs" and use automated systems to inflate play counts, earning substantial...
read Jun 9, 2025YouTube creators fight AI music flood with “No AI” playlist labels
YouTube creators are increasingly labeling their background music playlists as "No AI" as artificial intelligence-generated content floods the platform's ambient music space. The trend highlights how AI-generated music has become so pervasive that curators must actively distinguish their human-created content, while some channels exploit AI tools to rapidly produce monetizable playlists without crediting artists or disclosing their methods. What you should know: AI-generated music has infiltrated YouTube's popular background music ecosystem, particularly affecting lo-fi and instrumental playlists that millions use for studying and relaxation. Music influencer Derrick Gee discovered that one popular lo-fi playlist channel used almost entirely AI-generated tracks,...
read Jun 9, 2025Apple working on AI-powered Apple Music overhaul to possibly include DJ functionality
Apple is working on an AI-focused reboot of Apple Music, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who revealed the development during a Discord chat over the weekend. The overhaul represents Apple's effort to integrate artificial intelligence more deeply into its music streaming service, though the company has not provided a release timeline and won't discuss it at this week's WWDC event. What you should know: The AI reboot could transform how users discover and interact with music on Apple's platform, potentially incorporating features similar to competitors like Spotify. • Possible AI features include AI-generated playlists and an "AI DJ" functionality, though...
read Jun 3, 2025Elton John and co. join AI copyright battle with no resolution in sight
The UK faces a high-stakes standoff between AI innovation and creative rights protection, with neither side willing to compromise in a dispute that could reshape both industries. The government's Data Bill proposes an opt-out system for AI training on copyrighted works, while creative luminaries demand a licensing approach that compensates artists. This unusual political stalemate highlights fundamental questions about intellectual property in the AI era, with significant implications for creative livelihoods and the UK's position in the global AI race. The big picture: The UK government and creative industry leaders are locked in an increasingly bitter dispute over how AI...
read May 19, 2025Music stars push AI copyright transparency in UK law, tout their pro-innovation stance
UK artists and creative industry leaders have mounted a significant legislative push to require AI companies to disclose when copyrighted works are used to train their models. This effort represents a critical juncture in the ongoing global conversation about AI transparency, creative rights, and the economic future of cultural industries in the age of artificial intelligence. The big picture: The UK House of Lords passed an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill requiring AI companies to reveal what copyrighted works were used to train their models, despite government opposition. The amendment, backed by over 200 prominent UK creative...
read May 13, 2025What’s your pleasure? Spotify AI DJ now responds to user song requests
Spotify is expanding the functionality of its AI DJ feature by introducing voice command capability, giving Premium subscribers greater control over their music experience. This update transforms the DJ feature from a passive, algorithm-driven playlist generator into an interactive assistant that can respond to specific requests for artists, genres, moods, and even conceptual music experiences. The enhancement addresses a key limitation of the original feature by allowing users to actively shape their listening sessions rather than simply accepting the AI's selections. How it works: Spotify Premium users can now use English voice commands to personalize their AI DJ experience by...
read May 12, 2025SoundCloud faces backlash over announcement-less AI terms in user agreement
SoundCloud's quiet addition of an AI training clause to its terms of service has sparked user concern, becoming the latest in a series of controversies where tech companies claim broad rights to use creative content for AI development. This incident highlights the growing tension between digital platforms' AI ambitions and creators' rights to control how their work is used, especially as companies increasingly look to leverage user-generated content for advancing their AI capabilities. The big picture: SoundCloud has joined a growing list of tech companies facing backlash after adding ambiguous AI training provisions to their terms of service without clear...
read May 10, 2025Elton John and Dua Lipa join chorus demanding AI transparency and fair use
Over 400 prominent British artists, including Sir Elton John, Dua Lipa, and Kazuo Ishiguro, have mobilized to demand stronger copyright protections against AI usage of their creative works. Their letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlights a growing tension between creative industries and AI development, as artists seek transparency and licensing control over how their intellectual property is used to train AI models. This confrontation represents a critical battleground in defining how creative works will be valued and protected in an increasingly AI-driven economy. The big picture: Hundreds of British creative professionals are urging the prime minister to update copyright...
read May 6, 2025Suno 4.5 AI music creator launches with major upgrades
Suno's latest AI music generation tool introduces significant vocal enhancements, expanded genre options, and a new prompt helper that elevates its creative capabilities. The release of version 4.5 marks a substantial upgrade for subscribers, though some limitations remain regarding song structure control. This upgrade represents the continuing evolution of AI music creation tools as they become increasingly sophisticated at translating human descriptions into complex musical compositions. The big picture: Suno has released version 4.5 of its AI music creation platform exclusively for Pro and Premium subscribers, offering substantial improvements to music generation capabilities. The update features enhanced vocals, expanded genre...
read May 5, 2025How Beethoven can inform our thinking about AI
The blending of music and artificial intelligence reveals a new paradigm for learning that transcends traditional educational models. John Nosta's reflection on Beethoven's Seventh Symphony illuminates how the rhythms of music mirror cognitive patterns, suggesting that AI-enhanced learning is less about data transfer and more about creating resonant experiences through thoughtful interaction and collaborative exploration. The big picture: AI learning emerges as a collaborative symphony rather than a one-way information transfer, requiring us to reconsider how knowledge forms through resonance between human and machine. This perspective shifts our understanding from AI as a teaching tool to seeing it as a...
read May 5, 2025Motorola app disrupts Spotify’s personalized music recommendations
Motorola's new Playlist Studio introduces AI music curation that provides a refreshing alternative to the algorithmic limitations of major streaming services like Spotify. This innovative feature generates customized playlists based on creative prompts, potentially addressing a common frustration among streaming users: algorithmic recommendations that become too predictable and repetitive over time. However, the feature's exclusivity to Amazon Music presents a significant limitation for users invested in other streaming platforms. The big picture: Motorola has entered the AI race with its Razr 2025 series, offering features beyond the standard AI toolkit that most manufacturers implement. While the company includes expected AI...
read May 2, 2025Beyond ChatGPT, these other AI tools are quietly redefining the field
Beyond the tech giants dominating AI conversations, several powerful yet lesser-known AI tools offer unique capabilities that rival their more famous counterparts. These alternative platforms provide specialized functions ranging from code generation to music creation, potentially offering advantages over mainstream large language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Meta AI. As AI technology continues evolving, these specialized tools demonstrate how innovation is flourishing beyond the major players in the field. 1. Blackbox AI Blackbox AI serves as a specialized tool for software developers, generating complete full-stack applications from minimal prompts. The platform can transform screenshots or Figma files into functional...
read Apr 26, 2025Celine Dion’s team slams unauthorized AI-generated music
Celine Dion's team has taken a public stand against AI-generated music falsely attributed to the legendary singer, highlighting the growing challenge performers face in protecting their artistry in the age of artificial intelligence. Despite her ongoing battle with Stiff Person Syndrome, which has limited her recording and touring activity since 2022, Dion has made several high-profile appearances showcasing her enduring vocal talent, making the unauthorized AI replications particularly concerning for her team and fans. The warning: Dion's representatives issued a formal statement on Instagram addressing unauthorized AI-generated songs circulating online that falsely claim to feature the singer's voice. "These recordings...
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