AI Drake + Weeknd song goes viral, gets pulled from streaming after statement by UMG

[Robo Ga 15,297]

We've officially entered uncharted territory in the music industry with recent developments in AI.

From Billboard Pro: 

"A new song believed to feature AI-generated fake vocals from Drake and The Weeknd that went viral over the weekend has been pulled from most streaming platforms after their label, Universal Music Group, released a statement Monday (April 17) condemning “infringing content created with generative AI.”

Released by an anonymous TikTok user called Ghostwriter977, the track “Heart On My Sleeve” features uncannily similar voices to the two superstars — a trick that the creator says was accomplished by using artificial intelligence. It’s unclear if the entire song was created with AI, or just the soundalike vocals.

By Monday afternoon, the song had generated more 600,000 spins on Spotify, and Ghostwriter977’s TikTok videos had been viewed more than 15 million times. A YouTube video had another 275,000 views, with an ominous comment from the creator below it: “This is just the beginning.”

source: https://www.billboard.com/pro/fake-ai-drake-the-weeknd-song-pulled-streaming/ 

song: 

 

[River 116,138]

Why UMG had the power to take it down if they don't have the rights on the song at all? what exactly does it infringing? the fake vocals? the names?

[Robo Ga 15,297]

Just now, River said:

Why UMG had the power to take it down if they don't have the rights on the song at all? what exactly does it infringing? the fake vocals? the names?

I think Spotify pulled it after UMG requested it to be pulled.

As for the other questions, that's where we get into uncharted legal territory. I'm sure if (or when) artists or labels decide to start pursuing legal action, they'll start to establish legal precedents on AI music and what copyright it may be infringing on.

[Naak Le Vaar 1,222]

1 hour ago, River said:

Why UMG had the power to take it down if they don't have the rights on the song at all? what exactly does it infringing? the fake vocals? the names?

Using Drake's likeness. The song is essentially a product used for profit and the company probably goes after it as a legal precedent because if it happens again (and it will) the courts will ask why the label didn't try to stop it the first time