AI and Music: The Plot Thickens
Universal Music Group is working with Soundlabs on Hi Fi AI tools for their artists.
So, now that Universal has announced their deal with Soundlabs, we know the lawsuits mentioned in my previous post about AI and Music are about getting a cut of future revenue. I had a hunch it was about money, but at least they are trying to gain some sort of asset protection. Whether or not the majors will be generous with their artists remains to be seen, but if past actions are any indication, that is doubtful.
This reminds me of a time when sampling caused an uproar, an uproar which settled down after standards were established regarding credits and payment.
Now I am wondering when the entities who own the IP will be releasing "new" Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole “content” - and what do we call these releases, “audio collage” or ???
And given the fact that neither Linda Ronstadt nor Celine Dion can sing at the moment, will this be a new way for them to express themselves, and/or just another way for the top record companies to squeeze new profits out of old material? This is what happened when the CD first arrived, which led to a decrease in budgets for artist development. The same thing is still happening with reissues of vinyl. Speaking of vinyl, I’m encouraged by recent efforts to green that process. Kudos to Coldplay for keeping some plastic bottles out of our waterways. That’s a better way to produce vinyl, imho.
As for artist development, I guess that is up to us, the makers and listeners of music.
To be continued…
- Mari