The rapid integration of AI into various facets of human society is truly remarkable. From coding assistance to helping with everyday tasks like email composition, AI has become an integral part of our lives and shows no signs of slowing down. This is particularly evident in the creative industry, including the music sector. The rise of AI music generators has created both new creative possibilities and potential challenges. The music industry, in particular, might be experiencing a sense of unease, as an AI-generated music piece is now being considered for the highly esteemed Grammy award, marking a significant moment in the industry’s history.
And the Grammy Award Goes to… an AI-Generated Song?
“Heart on my Sleeve,” created by the enigmatic songwriter Ghostwriter, is a remarkable composition that comes as close as you can get to a hypothetical Drake x The Weeknd collaboration – something that has never actually occurred. What sets this song apart is that it’s entirely AI-generated, crafted to mimic the distinctive vocal styles of both artists. Surprisingly, when you listen to it, you might not even realize that it’s AI-generated unless explicitly mentioned.
Ghostwriter firmly believes that this song deserves a Grammy nomination, a recognition that could draw attention to the AI artist’s remarkable songwriting abilities. Interestingly, the Grammy committee is not dismissive of this possibility.
Variety reports that Ghostwriter and their creative team are pursuing nominations for Best Rap Song and/or Song of the Year at the 66th Grammy Awards scheduled for 2024. They’ve engaged with the Recording Academy to explore the potential role of AI in music. According to Harvey Mason Jr., a producer and the CEO of the Recording Academy, the fact that a human wrote the song makes it eligible for the award. Traditionally, these awards are presented to the “writers” of a song rather than the performers.
In an interview with The New York Times, Harvey Mason Jr. expressed his initial reaction to the song, stating, “I knew right away as soon as I heard that record that it was going to be something that we had A challenge not only from an Academy perspective but also within the music community and industry. When you start seeing A.I. Being part of something as creative, relevant, and contemporary as this immediately sparks thoughts about its future direction? How is this going to affect creativity? What’s the business implication for monetization?’”
The song gained significant attention earlier this year when it went viral on TikTok. However, it faced a swift takedown by Universal Music Group, citing copyright infringement claims. Now, the song stands at the threshold of potentially triggering an irreversible shift in the music industry. Key questions emerge, such as whether AI-generated songs undermine the capabilities of human artists, and whether this represents a creative hindrance or an expansion of creativity. Only time will provide answers.
One thing is certain: as AI-generated works, including music, become increasingly prevalent, the need for a well-defined framework for AI usage will become imperative. Regardless of the controversies surrounding AI-generated music and other AI-generated creations, it is an undeniable reality that is unfolding before us.
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