By reading some of my previous articles, one might think I am an AI proponent. I am a proponent of us controlling AI, not AI controlling us. If I were a betting man, and I’m not, I would bet that AI is here to stay. I don’t think it’s going anywhere, and it will continue to expand its capabilities. But buyers beware.
I think some of those capabilities will continue to rub people the wrong way. Already, people are feeling some type of way about the AI videos on social media. And now I see that there are AI social influencers. I can’t imagine what those who have ill intentions can’t think up to promote with AI influencers. While that is a pretty thick line, AI-generated music is a hard no for me.
The Velvet Sundown Backlash
The post on AI influencers reminded me that recently, there was another social post going around about a story of a rock band (Velvet Sundown) that was AI-generated.
Everything from music and lyrics to branding based on several successful rock bands was created by AI. The blowback began one month after the album reached the top spot on the Spotify charts with 1 million streams, when it was announced that the group was an AI creation.
I think the name of the group and album title, “Floating on Echos,” should have given it away, but some called foul over some of the images of the group, which featured some of the noticeable tells that are found in AI-generated pictures.
AI Music Feels Hollow
As I listened to songs on the album, they felt hollow to me. Most genres of music outside of Urban music may not have soul at its base. But it sounds like they have a soul at their core.
I am a Classic Rock music fan, just as you will find Stevie Wonder, Ashford & Simpson, Blue Magic and the Commodores in my playlists, you will also find the Eagles, Hall & Oats, Dan Fogelberg and Fleetwood Mac. However, I can’t imagine an AI-generated album using the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, Maze and LTD in songs and album covers. I have to think I would spot it right away.
Timbaland’s AI Pop Artist Experiment
In doing some research, I read about Timbaland’s new AI venture where he is creating an AI-generated Pop artist (TaTa) with vocal and music elements partially generated with AI. I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand, I believe he and others should have at it. As a proponent of us controlling AI, I believe Timbaland will do an amazing job, and AI is not going away.
Where the concept loses me is that if it hasn’t already happened, I think it’s a short walk until this is done in R&B. What may stave off potential brand-altering events is that AI creations are a young person’s game.
The Streaming vs. Radio Divide
While younger listeners may be more open to AI-generated content in audio and video form, those listeners have migrated from radio. Timbaland’s AI company is worthy of watching, and while these projects will find support through streaming, he is used to having radio as an outlet. Programmers may be doing damage to their brand even by experimenting with this concept.
I always welcome your thoughts. Feel free to email me or contact me through LinkedIn. Check out our podcast at meanolelionmedia.com
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Ken Johnson is an Urban/Hip-Hop columnist for Barrett Media. Born and raised in Washington DC, his career experiences include serving as VP of Urban formats for Cumulus Media, holding the Director of Urban Programming post at ABC Radio Networks, and programming stations in Birmingham, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City. He has also managed affiliate relations for the Nick Cannon show, and worked as the Executive Producer of The Hughley Truth Podcast hosted by comedian DL Hughley. Ken currently runs Mean Ole Lion Media, a content creation company and podcast network. He can be reached by email at ken@kenjohnsonmedia.com.
