Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming a part of the music industry, but it is also raising concerns. In recent times, several songs have been released that replicate the voices of famous musicians like Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, and other pop icons. However, the most significant impact of AI in music seems to be within the hip-hop genre, where AI enthusiasts are creating complete digital projects.
Recently, a Drake and The Weeknd AI cover called “Heart on My Sleeve” went viral and amassed 8.5 million views on TikTok and YouTube within the weekend. The song was created by a producer known as Ghostwriter, but it is unclear how much AI was used in its production. The track utilized vocals from Drake and The Weeknd and had a typical party music feel, including a reference to The Weeknd’s ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez.
Ghostwriter’s social media accounts linked to a page where fans could stream the song on various platforms, but it was eventually taken down by UMG due to copyright infringement, as they deemed it “infringing content created with generative AI.” According to representatives for the label, the song’s viral success highlights the need for platforms to have a legal and ethical responsibility to prevent the misuse of their services that could harm artists. However, despite UMG’s actions, some fans are still excited about the possibilities of AI in music.