At this point, there it’s hard to find a mainstream artist whose vocals haven’t been mimicked for a song made by artificial intelligence. Most notably, the Drake-The Weeknd AI-generated song “Heart on My Sleeve” caused controversy last month after blowing up on digital streaming platforms and then being subsequently removed.
Those who are for and against AI’s recent surge in music have all voiced strong opinions, and a clear way forward has yet to be found. But, legendary hip-hop instrumentalist Timbaland feels like he has the answer.
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On Wednesday (May 3), the 51-year-old uploaded a video to Instagram of him speaking to his camera as he addresses the new phenomenon.
“We know that it’s a lot of talk about AI, and we know how the feelings of violating certain things, but let me tell you something,” he said. “I got a solution, we’re working on it. It’s gonna be beneficial to everybody.”
Although he did not disclose any specific information about his plan to quell people’s uncertainties with AI, Timbaland did reveal that he tried his hand at the trendy technology. Later in the clip, he played a song he produced that includes AI-generated vocals of the late Notorious B.I.G., acknowledging that he never got to work with the New York rapper before he was slain in 1997.
“But in the meantime, you know, I gotta share something I’ve been working on because I always wanted to do this, and I never got a chance to,” he continued. “I always wanted to work with Big, and I never got a chance to — until today, it came out right.”
Playing a short snippet of the track, Timbaland’s unreleased song with Biggie includes a verse where the emcee’s AI simulation shouts out fellow deceased rappers Pop Smoke, Young Dolph, and Nipsey Hussle. While the audio is a bit muffled, it’s clear that the AI-Biggie voice used is a pretty solid replica.
Timbaland’s post comes just days after Pharrell Williams, Grimes, and Lil Durk all gave differing takes on AI. It seems that the more prevalent techniques like these become, the more popular artists will begin to give their two cents on the matter. As we wait to see who chimes in next, check out Timbaland’s Instagram video below.
Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images
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