After a report this week {that a} viral AI tune that mimics vocals by Drake and The Weeknd was submitted for consideration for subsequent yr’s Grammy Awards, Recording Academy chief Harvey Mason Jr. took to social media on Thursday night time to shoot down “inaccurate data” across the eligibility of AI songs.
On Tuesday, the New York Occasions reported that Ghostwriter, an nameless artist who produces AI tracks that includes the computer-generated vocals of artists similar to Travis Scott, 21 Savage and extra, would submit his viral AI monitor “Coronary heart on My Sleeve” for Grammy consideration. The monitor, which makes use of AI vocals to imitate Drake and The Weeknd, was uploaded to music streaming providers Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music on April 4, however was rapidly taken down after a copyright declare by Common Music Group.
Within the Occasions story, Ghostwriter’s workforce stated that they had submitted “Coronary heart on My Sleeve” for Grammy recognition in two classes on the 2024 version of the awards, together with finest rap tune and tune of the yr. These two classes give awards to the writers of the monitor that wins.
“So far as the inventive facet, it’s completely eligible as a result of it was written by a human,” Mason stated of the eligibility of “Coronary heart on my Sleeve” in an interview with Occasions.
Mason’s response created extra confusion and elicited a social media backlash. On Thursday, the Recording Academy CEO posted a brief video on his Instagram in an try to make clear the eligibility guidelines.
“I’m sorry, however I’ve to clear up a few of this unhealthy and actually inaccurate data that’s beginning to float round,” Mason stated. “This model of “Coronary heart on My Sleeve” utilizing the AI voice modeling, that seems like Drake and The Weeknd, it’s not eligible for Grammy consideration.”
“Let me be additional, additional clear, despite the fact that it was written by a human creator, the vocals weren’t legally obtained, the vocals weren’t cleared by the label or the artists and the tune shouldn’t be commercially out there and due to that, it’s not eligible,” Mason continued.
He added, “I take this [AI] stuff very significantly. It’s all sophisticated, and it’s shifting, actually, actually rapidly. I’m certain issues are going to proceed to need to evolve and alter. However please, please, don’t be confused. The Academy is right here to assist and advocate and defend and signify human artists, and human creators interval.”
In June, Mason, in a wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter, was adamant that the Recording Academy “is not going to be awarding a Grammy to AI.” However he did say that the Grammys need to honor music created with AI parts, however essentially the tune should be made by people as effectively, and people need to have a bigger position within the creation of a monitor. “You possibly can win a Grammy for the human portion of the monitor,” he defined.
