The Velvet Sundown is stirring controversy as an AI-driven "band" racking up over 1 million monthly Spotify listeners and pulling in $34K+ in monthly streaming revenue. The band’s profile now admits its music and visuals are mostly AI-generated, calling it a “synthetic music project” that challenges authorship and music’s future in the AI age.
The growing wave of AI music is shaking the industry. Other AI acts like “dark country” Aventhis have also hit high streaming numbers. Streaming giant Deezer said 18% of its new uploads are fully AI-generated.
AI music quality is improving fast. Experts say it’s getting tough for casual listeners to tell human from machine. Jason Palamara of Herron School of Art says The Velvet Sundown is “much better” than earlier AI music, with full song structures and hooks. 
AI platforms like Suno and Udio let anyone create whole AI tracks cheaply and quickly, sparking fears of streams flooding industry revenue. Major labels including Sony, Universal, and Warner are suing these platforms over copyright infringement.
Keith Mullin of Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts calls AI music a “hot topic” but admits the tech is here to stay. U.K. artist Tilly Louise calls competing with AI bands “discouraging,” given how hard small artists already struggle.
Music pros are training students to use AI tools, while Grammy producer Timbaland launched an AI-focused venture, Stage Zero, hinting AI pop stars are on the rise.
Critics like YouTube’s Anthony Fantano warn AI music “clogs feeds” and benefits “greedy capitalists” at artists’ expense. Music unions demand transparency and consent for AI music use.
American Federation of Musicians president Tino Gagliardi said:
Consent, credit, and compensation are prerequisites in AI development. And transparency, including in streaming and other marketplaces, is the foundation for safeguarding musicians’ livelihoods.
Anything short of that is theft.
Major AI music debates are just heating up as tech and creativity collide, with real impacts on artists’ futures and streaming landscapes.
AI Impact: How AI Is Transforming the Music Industry (CNBC Video)
