artificial-intelligence

AI Was Used In A Massive Streaming Fraud Case, Generating Billions Of Streams And $10 Million In Royalty Payments

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The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music has been a hot topic for a while now, but so far, we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg of implications advanced algorithms can have for the recording industry. While artists speak out against the use of generative AI in the creation of songs and the Recording Academy grapples with its legitimacy for Grammy Awards, courts around the world are now being confronted with the use of AI in schemes aimed at defrauding streaming platforms with AI-generated songs and streams.

According to the Associated Press, one such case currently being litigated revolves around a North Carolina man who created hundreds of thousands of songs using AI, then streamed those songs billions of times to generate over $10 million in royalty payments for himself, cheating legitimate musicians and labels out of potential profits from streamers’ royalty pools. The man, 52-year-old Michael Smith, is charged with fraud and conspiracy, and could face around 60 years in prison if convicted.

By creating thousands of phony accounts on services such as Apple, Spotify, and Tidal, Smith streamed his AI-generated songs upwards of 600,000 times a day. In the federal indictment against him, Smith is quoted as boasting about his profits — over $1 million a year since 2018, when he allegedly launched the conspiracy alongside a music promoter and the chief executive of an AI music company — in an email. He even denied that what he was doing was fraud, when a music distributor questioned him about it.

Whether he genuinely did realize it was fraud or was just covering, it’s clear that the technology has upended the recording industry yet again, and that the potential posed by AI don’t only affect artists.

Jadakiss Replaces Diddy On AI “It’s All About The Benjamins” Remix

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It goes without saying that Diddy’s reputation has taken a massive hit in recent months. Aside from facing various lawsuits from individuals accusing him of sexual assault, abuse, and more, he’s also at the center of a federal sex trafficking investigation. Matters were only made worse last month when security footage of him abusing his ex-girlfriend Cassie at a hotel in 2016 surfaced online.

He’s since apologized for his past behavior, though most agree that it did little to mitigate the public’s explosive reaction. As a result, he’s been dropped by several brands and former business partners. Now, he’s also been kicked off of one of his own songs, thanks to Cipha Sounds. Recently, he dropped a reimagined version of Puff’s 1997 track “It’s All About the Benjamins,” featuring AI Jadakiss instead of Diddy.

Read More: DJ Akademiks & Vlad Believe Diddy Is About To Get Indicted

Cipha Sounds Drops “No Diddy” Remix Of “It’s All About the Benjamins”

Cipha Sounds revealed why he created the “No Diddy” remix in a video on Instagram earlier this week, explaining that it all stems from his current legal trouble. “P. Diddy is canceled. Whatever cr*zy sh*t happened with him, that’s over there. I’m talking about Hip Hop-wise. As a DJ from New York City — I’m on 94.7 The Block — they telling me I can’t play P. Diddy’s music no more,” he said. “I can’t play ‘All About the Benjamins’?! Are you cr*zy?! How am I even supposed to live as a DJ in New York City and I can’t even play ‘All About the Benjamins’? You need to understand, ‘All About the Benjamins’ is one of the greatest Hip Hop New York songs ever recorded!”

He went on to explain that Jadakiss wrote Diddy’s verse on the track anyway, so he didn’t see any problem with using technology to do what he had to do to keep it in the rotation. What do you think of Cipha Sounds’ “It’s All About the Benjamins” remix? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: Stephen A Smith Blasts Diddy For Deleting Cassie Apology Video

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The Weeknd Interviews Himself… His 10-Year-Old Self… An AI Version Of His 10-Year Old Self

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Traditionally, music interviews are between a journalist and an artist. The medium can sometimes break free of that format, though. Sometimes, artists interview each other. Then there’s the latest one from The Weeknd. In it, he interviews himself, except it’s himself at 10 years old, except it’s himself at 10 years old as portrayed via AI.

This was arranged by SSENSE, who used ChatGPT to create a “realistic” chatbot version of young Abel Tesfaye, with which present-day Tesfaye had an era-spanning conversation.

The chat starts with talk about TV shows. The Weeknd notes he’s been watching King Of The Hill and AI Tesfaye responds, “King of the Hill sounds like a big adventure! I imagine sitting on a hill being the king of everything I see!” It then asks real The Weeknd if they can make a cartoon of their own together someday.

From there, the two talk about God, imagination, their mother, and more. Depending on your views on AI, the whole thing is either sweet or perhaps a little bit unsettling and strange. At the very least, it’s an interesting exercise in creative use of technology, more of a creative writing endeavor than a journalistic interview.

Check it out here.

Halle Bailey And DDG Claim Viral Topless Video Is AI But Fans Aren’t Buying It

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Halle Bailey and DDG are no strangers to controversy at this point. Overall, their entire relationship has been scrutinized by the internet. There are some people who claim that DDG isn’t good enough for Bailey. Meanwhile, there are others who felt it was outrageous for Bailey to cover up the fact that she was pregnant for so long. Due to the nature of the internet, everyone can have an opinion, and the couple understands this all too well.

However, the couple found themselves going viral on Sunday evening thanks to a video that was making the rounds on Twitter. This clip appears to be a bit older as it had previously been posted on Twitter, albeit with less reach. In the video, DDG can be seen startling Halle Bailey to the point where she accidentally reveals that she was topless. The camera cuts off quickly and it’s unclear how the video ended up on Snapchat, in the first place. Well, while taking to Twitter, DDG blamed AI for the video, saying that artificial intelligence is “scary and weird.” This ended up getting a retweet from Halle herself.

Read More: Halle Bailey Celebrates Her First Mother’s Day With Adorable Baby Halo Throwbacks

Halle Bailey Backs Up DDG

However, over on The Neighborhood Talk, fans were not buying DDG’s explanation. In their minds, the video looked too real. Moreover, some feel like AI is being used as an excuse by everyone. “So all these celebrities gone blame AI? Some of this looking way too real fr,” one person wrote. “It was an accident you got scared. And boob jumped out. Who cares but we not gonna keep whipping AI for everything that come out inappropriate,” claimed another. Various other comments share the exact same sentiment, which goes to show how divisive the issue is.

Let us know what you think about this situation, in the comments section down below. Do you agree with the notion that AI is being used as an excuse these days? Do you believe DDG when he said the most recent viral video making the rounds was AI? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.

Read More: Halle Bailey & DDG Get Matching Tattoos To Celebrate 1st Mother’s Day As Parents

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❤️ Megan Thee Stallion Fans Rally Behind Her Amid AI Sex Tape Scandal, She Gets Emotional Onstage

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Earlier this week, an AI-generated sex tape falsely boasting an appearance from Megan Thee Stallion surfaced online. This is far from the first time a female celebrity has dealt with something like this, and overall, it’s clear that the trend has gone too far. Meg echoed a similar sentiment in her apparent reaction to the AI-generated video on Twitter/X yesterday.

“It’s really sick how yall go out of the way to hurt me when you see me winning,” she wrote. “Yall going too far, Fake a** s**t. Just know today was your last day playing with me and I mean it.” The scandal arose right amid Meg’s “Hot Girl Summer” tour with GloRilla and lined up with her recent show in Tampa.

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion Breaks Her Silence After AI-Faked Sex Tape Allegedly Surfaces Online

Megan Thee Stallion Gets Emotional Onstage

While she certainly didn’t fail to put on an amazing show, it was clear that she was feeling more emotional than usual onstage. During her performance of “Cobra,” she nearly started crying, indicating that its empowering lyrics might have been hitting harder than ever.

Amid the debacle, Meg’s fiercely loyal fanbase has been out in full force, defending her and demanding that she’s treated with the respect she deserves. #WELOVEYOUMEGAN is currently trending on Twitter/X as the Hotties rally behind the Houston-born performer, showing her love and reminding haters that her legacy can’t be tarnished despite any fake and cruel attempts.

Social Media Users Show Love To Megan Thee Stallion Amid AI Sex Tape Scandal

What do you think of the Hotties showing Megan Thee Stallion some extra love after an AI sex tape falsely claiming to feature her surfaced online? What about her getting emotional onstage during a recent performance of “Cobra”? share your thoughts in the comments section, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates. Check out some social media users’ kind words for Meg down below.

Read More: Billboard’s Hottest Women Rappers List Sparks Debate Among Fans

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Megan Thee Stallion Breaks Her Silence After AI-Faked Sex Tape Allegedly Surfaces Online

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Megan Thee Stallion is facing a whirlwind of fame right now, trying her best to balance wild success and acclaim with disparaging or unfortunate circumstances. Some are beyond most folks’ control, such as a rescheduled Dallas show due to the NBA Finals. But others are much more sinister in nature, such as an alleged sex tape of hers that surfaced online but is reported to be A.I-.generated, according to social media discussion. Despite the content at hand and blazingly unverified Internet discussion, the Houston femcee took to Twitter on Saturday (June 8) to blast these supposed attempts to ruin her image.

“It’s really sick how yall go out of the way to hurt me when you see me winning,” Megan Thee Stallion wrote to a mystery opp on the social media platform. “Yall going too far, Fake a** s**t. Just know today was your last day playing with me and I mean it.” Moreover, she just joined Latto and Flo Milli for the remix of “Sunday Service,” so at least she has some praise and earned commotion to counter this other side of online conversation.

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion And Latto Have A Twerk-Off To Promote New Collaboration

Megan Thee Stallion Seemingly Blasts Alleged Fake AI Sex Tape Leak

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

Elsewhere, though, Megan Thee Stallion will likely address at least some of this reception, other struggles, and all her highs and lows on her upcoming album, Megan. It’s easily one of the summer’s most anticipated hip-hop releases, and will be her first solo full-length effort since 2022’s Traumanize. A lot happened in Tina Snow’s life since then, and we’re sure that it will make for a pretty engaging and well-rounded album experience. All we can hope for is that her efforts ring louder than those of her overzealous, disrespectful, or downright toxic detractors.

In fact, Megan Thee Stallion has a big rollout to contend with, and one that’s boosting morale amid some other canceled or postponed shows. It’s a lot of momentum and hype, and one that has a big risk of falling apart if the album doesn’t deliver. But our skepticism is more directed public opinion and discourse, not so much Meg’s talents or potential. Hopefully she claps back at folks who dislike her for all the wrong reasons through some amazing art.

Read More: Billboard’s Hottest Women Rappers List Sparks Debate Among Fans

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Jermaine Dupri Calls Drake “Ignorant” For Replicating 2Pac & Snoop Dogg’s Voices On AI Diss Track

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Before Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s viral lyrical battle reached its peak last month, Drizzy decided to get creative with his diss track “Taylor Made Freestyle.” He used artificial intelligence to replicate the voices of 2Pac and Snoop Dogg, sparking a great deal of controversy in the process. Many listeners found it to be disrespectful, and 2Pac’s estate even threatened to sue him. Eventually, he pulled the track from streaming services to avoid any legal repercussions.

Jermaine Dupri has been a vocal critic of the use of AI in music for some time. Evidently, Drake is no exception. During a recent appearance at Atlanta’s United Masters’ SelectCon conference, he sat down with Steve Stoute to discuss the dangers of the rapidly developing technology. He used “Taylor Made Freestyle” as an example, describing how “dangerous” things could have gotten.

Read More: Jermaine Dupri Uses Sexyy Red’s Album Sales To Illustrate The Current State Of Hip-Hop And The Perils Of Streaming

Jermaine Dupri Shares His Take On Artificial Intelligence In Music

“If you’re going to use AI, you’ve got to use it in a smart way,” Dupri began. “Because the people that are touching it at this point, they don’t understand some of the things that it can damage, right? If you look at the Drake song where he used Snoop and 2Pac’s voice. I don’t think people listen to that and understand how serious people take 2Pac… I think Snoop understood why he shouldn’t answer to it because it could have gotten really dangerous.”

In the past, Dupri also criticized 23-year-old LA artist Sy The Rapper for using AI to replicate Kendrick Lamar’s voice on a track aimed at Drake. At the time, he similarly called it “dangerous.” What do you think of Jermaine Dupri criticizing Drake for using AI to replicate 2Pac and Snoop Dogg’s voices? Do you agree with him or not? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: Jermaine Dupri Claims Apple Music’s Top 100 Albums List Disrespected R&B

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FKA Twigs Testifies To Congress About Artificial Intelligence

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Artificial Intelligence is one of the hottest issues right now not just in music, but in all creative mediums. Last month, dozens of artists across the music industry signed a joint letter calling for AI to be regulated. Artists are worried about the likeness being stolen by Ai platforms and recreated without their permission. There’s already been a couple of high-profile incidents surrounding artificial intelligence. Last year, an artificially generated Drake and The Weeknd song was ruled eligible for the Grammys. The decision was immediately controversial and led to them overturning it a week later. Earlier this week, there was a hearing in congress to discuss potentially regulating Artificial Intelligence going forward. R&B darling FKA Twigs was present at the hearing where she testified in favor of regulating the inevitable future of AI.

Afterward she took to Instagram to make a post about the experience. “today i spoke infront of congress to senator coons, tillis, blackburn, hirono, klobuchar, welch and blumenthal about the importance of legislation to protect artists voice and likeness, art and intellectual property from the misuse of deepfakes and ai. i am passionate about exploring new technologies with the guise of expanding my art further and exploring new ways to express myself and reach fans, however it is imperative that at this dawn of great technological growth legislation is put in place to ensure that an artists likeness is controlled by the artist themselves” her caption read. Check out the full post recap below.

Read More: FKA Twigs’ End-Of-Year Photo Dump Earns Backlash From Swifties

FKA Twigs Testifying In Congress

FKA Twigs hasn’t released a new project since 2021’s CAPRISONGS. That mixtape followed her massively acclaimed 2019 album MAGDALENE. The former features appearances from The Weeknd, Shygirl, rema, Daniel Caesar, and more.

What do you think of FKA Twigs testimony in front of congress earlier this week? DO you agree with her take the artificial intelligence is inevitable and needs to be regulated to make sure artists control their likeness? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Robert Pattinson & FKA Twigs Relationship Timeline

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TikTokers, Rejoice: UMG Artists’ Catalogs Are Returning To The Platform Under A New Licensing Agreement

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TikTok’s future in the United States still hangs in the balance, but there is some positive TikTok-related news. (Unfortunately, it is not that Soulja Boy bought TikTok — not yet, at least.)

On Thursday morning, May 2, Universal Music Group and TikTok shared a joint press release confirming “a new multi-dimensional licensing agreement that will deliver significant industry-leading benefits for UMG’s global family of artists, songwriters, and labels and will return their music to TikTok’s billion-plus global community.”

All UMG artists’ catalogs were removed from TikTok on February 1 and remained absent from the platform, save for Taylor Swift ahead of the release of her The Tortured Poets Department album last month.

The joint agreement marks a new era of strategic collaboration between the two organizations, built on a shared commitment to help UMG’s artists and songwriters achieve their creative and commercial potential,” the press release outlines. “By harnessing TikTok’s best-in-class technology, marketing and promotional capabilities, UMG and TikTok will deliver improved remuneration for UMG’s songwriters and artists, new promotional and engagement opportunities for their recordings and songs and industry-leading protections with respect to generative AI.”

The press release additionally emphasizes a commitment to “new monetization opportunities utilizing TikTok’s growing e-commerce capabilities,” “artist-centric tools,” and “to protect human artistry.”

Drake’s ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ Disappeared From Social Media After Tupac’s Estate Threatened Legal Action Over AI Usage

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Look what Kendrick Lamar started. Long story short: Lamar ignited multi-pronged rap beef with his verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “Like That,” which J. Cole responded to with “7 Minute Drill,” but he immediately regretted it and scrubbed it from streaming services. Last weekend, Drake posted “Taylor Made Freestyle,” among his Kendrick diss tracks, to his social media channels. Lamar has yet to respond, but Tupac Shakur’s estate did.

On Wednesday, April 24, Billboard reported that the Shakur estate was “threatening to sue Drake” for “Taylor Made Freestyle” because it used AI to generate Tupac’s voice. Billboard relayed the estate felt it was “‘a flagrant violation’ of the law and a ‘blatant abuse’ of his legacy.”

“In a Wednesday cease-and-desist letter obtained exclusively by Billboard, litigator Howard King told Drake that he must confirm that he will pull down his ‘Taylor Made Freestyle’ in less than 24 hours or the estate would ‘pursue all of its legal remedies’ against him,” Billboard reported.

So, it’s probably not a coincidence that Drake’s “Taylor Made Freestyle” posts have disappeared from his social media accounts as of Thursday evening, April 25.

“Taylor Made Freestyle” also featured AI-generated vocals from Snoop Dogg, who responded as you’d expect Snoop Dogg to respond to such nonsense.

“They did what?” Snoop said in a video posted to his Instagram. “When? How? Are you sure?” He sighed, showed his Death Row Records jacket, wished everyone a good night, laughed, and added, “Everybody calling my phone, blowing me up. What the f*ck? What happened? What’s going on? I’m going back to bed. Goodnight.”