A.I. technology is either the best or worst thing to happen to music since Napster, depending on who you ask. Moreover, its supporters see it as a new avenue for creativity, reference tracks, and new ways to put your work out there. On the other hand, its detractors see the dangers of copyright, false songs taking money away from artist, and laziness that A.I.-generated or assisted tracks pose. Regardless of which side you’re on, the last few weeks have seen an onslaught of A.I.-related material. The latest is a new track “from” Drake following his fake track with The Weeknd that set the industry ablaze.
Furthermore, this cut is called “Winter’s Cold,” and it’s unclear how much A.I. was involved in its creation. This technology can either turn an existing voice recording into an artist’s voice, or recreate lyrics and production based on the artist’s existing material. No matter how you slice it, fans seem to really enjoy these tracks. “Firstly, let me just say that that AI shit is evil & immoral,” a fan tweeted. “What’s already happened, and what could potentially happen to artists and the industry with this tech is despicable. HOWEVER, with all that said, THAT AI DRAKE WINTER’S COLD SONG IS THE HARDEST S**T TO DROP THIS YEAR!!”
Drake A.I. Drops Another Banger, “Winter’s Cold”
In fact, that sentiment seems to be a common one on social media. Of course, the argument also exists that it’s easier to replicate some artists than others, and Drake is perhaps the best example of that. His voice is just too recognizable, and he worked with so many styles that any lane of his could reemerge with relative ease. However, major labels aren’t having it. “UMG’s success has been, in part, due to embracing new technology and putting it to work for our artists- as we have been doing with our own innovation around AI for some time already,” Universal Music Group’s statement began. Moreover, they issued it after the Weeknd collab went insanely viral and they started taking it down from many platforms. It’s also worth noting that the 6 God isn’t a fan of this tech.
“With that said, however, the training of generative AI using our artists’ music (which represents both a breach of our agreements and a violation of copyright law) as well as the availability of infringing content created with generative AI on DSPs, begs the question as to which side of history all stakeholders in the music ecosystem want to be on: the side of artists, fans and human creative expression, or on the side of deep fakes, fraud and denying artists their due compensation,” they concluded. Wherever you may fall on that debate, stick around on HNHH for the latest on Drake and A.I. tech in music.