Several streaming platforms are pulling songs made with artificial intelligence (AI) technology due to copyright infringement, amid a new trend that is putting a twist on popular hits.
One song in particular is a blend of two of our beloved Canadian artists, Drake and The Weeknd, and has made its rounds online. A TikTok user named @ghostwriter977 used AI technology to fuse their voices in a completely new song titled “Heart On My Sleeve”.
The song caught the attention of more than 9.2 million users since being posted on TikTok last week. But it also defies copyright law, and was thus removed from major streaming services, such as TikTok, Spotify, Apple, and others.
Though the TikToker explicitly stated it was created by AI software, it couldn’t get past the copyright claims. Prior to being removed, it received over 600,000 streams on Spotify alone.
A coalition called the Human Artistry Campaign is also speaking out about the use of legal copyright in its new initiative. The campaign includes a multitude of artists and music labels who are calling on the public to respect and “support human creativity and accomplishment” through its principles.
“Developments in artificial intelligence are exciting and could advance the world farther than we ever thought possible. But AI can never replace human expression and artistry,” the group’s statement read.
“As new technologies emerge and enter such central aspects of our existence, it must be done responsibly and with respect for the irreplaceable artists, performers, and creatives who have shaped our history and will chart the next chapters of human experience,” it continued.
One of the labels which the group is backed by is the Recording Industry Association of America which represents top tier music labels such as Universal Music Group (UMG), who Drake and the Weeknd are both signed with.
Due to the growing popularity of AI covers, users on Twitter and TikTok have created numerous songs sung by Drake and The Weeknd which can still be heard.
One of the more interesting covers going viral is Drake’s AI cover to Colbie Caillat’s 2007 hit, “Bubbly,” made by TikTok creator @jeredsucks. It’s a song many fans did not expect a cover to as the beat and lyrics are opposite from Drake’s familiar sound.
But in a weird turn of events, fans think the cover is brilliant and say this might be Drake’s untapped market.
“Bro this is better than anything he’s put out in the last 10 years” one fan commented.
“He needs to drop whatever he’s doing rn (right now) and start recording this fr” another comment read.
In another example, TikTok user @thekasimsyed also posted AI covers of pop legend, Michael Jackson, covering songs by The Weeknd.
@thekasimsyed Replying to @wolfry°21 Say less. Here’s an A.I cover of Michael Jackson singing “Starboy” by The Weeknd. #TheWeeknd #MichaelJackson #AI #AICover #Music #XOTWOD ♬ original sound – Kontrol
@thekasimsyed Replying to @🤖 Here’s another one! I didnt mix it very well, but Michael Jackson singing “I Feel It Coming” by The Weeknd #MichaelJackson #TheWeeknd #AI #AICover #Music ♬ original sound – Kontrol
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Over the past few months, many people have enjoyed the scaringly realistic trend. On Twitter, you can find a variety of AI covers, including Rihanna covering Corona’s “The Rhythm of the Night,” Kanye West covering Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness” and Nicki Minaj covering Ariana Grande’s “God is a Woman.”
No matter the genre of interest, numerous combinations of a variety of artists belting it out on Twitter and TikTok can be discovered by searching the hashtag #AIcover.
Although fans enjoy the craze, some artists like the 6ix God were not fond of the AI-generated versions.
In a since-deleted Instagram story, Drake posted a photo with the caption “this is the final straw AI” on April 16.
The photo was in regards to the recent news from UMG urging major streaming platforms to block artificial intelligence from accessing their copyrighted music.
According to a Financial Times report, a UMG rep is vowing that the music corporation will take appropriate action to protect its artists.
At least for now, fans can take pleasure in the AI versions while they still can and witness just how far the creative covers will go.
