Grimes Launches AI Generator To Use Her Voice In Your Songs
Ever wondered what the creative process with a celebrity would be like? Well, it’s apparently much more frictionless than you might think, but only if you’re collaborating with an AI version of them.
Inspired by the wave of AI-generated music, including a viral faux track simulating the voices of Drake and The Weeknd, Grimes has launched a new voice-synthesizing software, called Elf.Tech, that lets anyone “feature” her in their music for free, on the condition that they give her 50% royalties for successful tracks and that her voice is appropriated with respect.
Fascinated by the possibilities of generative AI, Grimes previously welcomed creators to “feel free to use my voice without penalty” as she isn’t signed to a label.
“I think it’s cool to be fused with a machine, and I like the idea of open-sourcing all art and killing copyright,” the musician added.
With Elf.Tech, users can upload clips of their own voice and have them superimposed by the light and ethereal vocals of the artist. They can then incorporate the results in their work and make it sound like the singer had been the one belting out the lyrics.
the first convincing AI @grimezsz song is here🤯 @kotomimusic’s “In Another Life” features a vibrant + uncanny GrimesAI who inhabits a liminal space between the Halfaxa and Visions eras, and it's a banger. the future is wildhttps://t.co/8ywMFxXHMg pic.twitter.com/iOX0jiE3V1
— gorilla vs. bear 🀠(@gorillavsbear) May 4, 2023
According to Grimes’s manager Daouda Leonard, adoption of the tool has been impressive, with Elf.Tech amassing more than 15,000 users just two days after the beta version of the platform went live. The musician’s representatives note that many of the AI-generated songs can now be played on streaming services.
Sooooo I made an AI @Grimezsz song and it kinda bangs 👽 pic.twitter.com/Uav1Rwv3eu
— Kito (@Kito) May 4, 2023
When she first invited fans to remix her voice into their music, Grimes acknowledged that the results might create “a certain amount of chaos” because she’s doing this in the name of art, not music. “The ultimate goal has always been to push boundaries rather than have a nice song,” she tweeted.
With the launch of Elf.Tech, Grimes reiterates: “We ask for 50% splits on master recording royalties in exchange for a Grimes feat and distribution.”
Bearing even greater news for hopeful AI conductors, she updates: “There’s a small chance we can organize getting you publishing [dollars] as well, but we can’t guarantee this yet. But I hope we can! Would be cool.”
[via Gizmodo and MusicTech, cover photo 166542211 © Featureflash | Dreamstime.com with AI background generated on Canva]
