A viral band called The Velvet Sundown has been making waves on music streaming platforms, with its tracks getting millions of plays without any clear information about the band itself. The group’s verified page on Spotify boasts over 850,000 monthly listeners, but none of the musicians have given interviews or appeared on social media.
The controversy surrounding The Velvet Sundown escalated when Rolling Stone US reported that a spokesman claimed the music was generated using an AI tool called Suno, only to reveal that he himself was a hoax. The band’s statement on Spotify denies any affiliation with Andrew Frelon and asserts that the account claiming to be their official channel is also fake.
Professor Gina Neff of the University of Cambridge warns that this incident highlights a broader problem with the use of AI in music creation, which threatens our collective grip on reality. She emphasizes the importance of protecting online information and preventing “theft dressed as competition.”
The debate over AI-generated music has been ongoing, with many musicians protesting against its use to create music without their consent. Even celebrities like Sir Elton John and Dua Lipa have joined forces with lawmakers to push for stricter regulations on AI and copyright.
As the government consults on a new set of laws regarding data use and access, experts like Ed Newton Rex stress that companies must respect creators’ rights when using AI-generated music. The incident surrounding The Velvet Sundown serves as a stark reminder of the need for more transparent and fair practices in the music industry.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8mjnn7eqno