The collision of artificial intelligence and music creation is a big talking point right now between artists and industry professionals. Innovators such as Oliver McCann, or imoliver, are at the forefront of using AI to enhance creativity. They’re revolutionizing the songwriting process in phenomenal ways. McCann, a 37-year-old visual designer in his own right, has been playing around with new AI-driven tools to help his lyrics come alive. His innovative approach serves as a beacon for a growing movement where technology intersects with artistry. All of this convergence raises some serious questions about the future of the music industry.
McCann works with AI to produce different versions of his songs. He could create 100 versions of the same scene before he even begins to identify what fits within his artistic vision. An apparently easy task soon becomes a complicated chore. He’ll spend each piece—eight or nine hours—polishing it until it shines and meets his rigorous standards.
“I can’t sing, can’t play, just nothing going for me musically at all,” McCann confessed, underscoring that AI has now become a crucial element in his creative songwriting process. He believes that this technology democratizes music production, stating, “I think we’re entering a world where anyone, anywhere could make the next big hit.”
For Lukas Rams, a Philadelphia-area resident, raising his artistic ambitions has been music to his ears, literally. As a result, he now takes the AI act that he created, Sleeping With Wolves, to incredible success. The music Rams performed on the drums in high school marching bands and his original songwriting with his brother. These days, he is frequently struck by the shallowness of AI-generated lyrics. “AI lyrics tend to come out quite cliché and quite boring,” he remarked. He further noted that these lyrics typically fall into predictable patterns: “It’ll do very basic rhyme schemes, and it’ll keep repeating the same structure.” Lack of specificity, especially with repetitive lyrics, can lead to clichéd expressions. You’ll never read something such as evoking “neon” and “shadows,” as it sounds very AI-generated.
Scott Smith is one of many artists jumping onboard with AI as it ushers in a new musical frontier. At 56 he’s a semi-retired, relatively new, former U.S. Navy public affairs officer. He is the co-founder of Pulse Empire, an AI band and creative collective. Their style takes cues from legendary 1980s UK synth-pop outfits, like New Order and Depeche Mode. Smith views AI as a valuable asset in music production, stating, “I see it as any other tool that we have.” His songwriting process is absurdly efficient. Once inspiration strikes, he’s able to bang out lyrics in ten minutes flat.
AI technologies are bursting onto the scene in the music industry. While we continue to deal with the aftereffects of that decision, experts are finally unpacking its pernicious implications. Josh Antonuccio, director of the School of Media Arts and Studies at Ohio University, is optimistic about AI’s potential to have a positive impact. He calls it “a tsunami” for the industry. He pointed out the ways in which these innovations can change what it means to produce a hit track. “Just think about what it used to cost to make a hit or make something that breaks,” he added, underscoring the transformative potential of AI.
Beyond the productive advances that AI is physically creating, there are a lot of worries about potential copyright infringement. Suno has been sued by GEMA, a German royalty collection society. Their argument is that Suno sounded too much like contemporaneous chart-toppers such as “Mambo No. 5” and “Forever Young.” Three of the BIG FOUR major record labels—Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group—and Warner Records have both filed lawsuits against Suno and Udio. They claim both companies have infringed their copyright.
McCann’s dedication to the arts has landed her in the national spotlight. He just signed with Hallwood Media after one of his songs recently passed an amazing 3 million streams! This success exemplifies the changing dynamics of the music industry, where traditional pathways to recognition are being reshaped by technological innovation.
Artists such as McCann and Rams are intentionally working within this emergent topography. They are playing with AI to enhance their creativity, all the while working to mitigate its shortcomings. Others perceive technology as an enemy of artistic integrity. While some see generative AI as a threat, others see it as an exciting new creative opportunity with boundless potential.
