Oliver McCann, a British artist known as imoliver, has made history by becoming the first AI music creator to sign a record deal. Despite having no musical talent or training, McCann uses AI models like Suno and Udio to generate music, which he pairs with his own lyrics. His breakthrough came after one of his tracks amassed over 3 million streams on Spotify.
The record deal with Hallwood Media marks a significant milestone in the music industry, sparking debates about the role of AI in music creation. Neil Jacobson, founder of Hallwood Media, sees McCann's work as representing "the future of our medium". This partnership is a step towards embracing new forms of creativity, and it will be interesting to see how McCann's music is received by fans and critics alike.
The use of AI in music production is becoming increasingly popular, with some artists embracing it as a tool to enhance their creativity. However, others have raised concerns about copyright infringement and the potential devaluation of human creativity. Major record labels, including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Records, have filed lawsuits against AI companies like Suno and Udio over copyright issues.
The rise of AI-generated music is expected to transform the music industry, with some experts predicting that it could democratize music production and allow anyone to create hit songs. However, others worry about the quality and authenticity of AI-generated content. According to Deezer, 18% of songs uploaded to its platform daily are AI-generated, although they account for only a tiny fraction of total streams.
As the music industry continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how AI-generated music shapes the sound of the future. Will AI become a dominant force in music creation, or will human creativity remain at the forefront? Only time will tell.
