AI Enters The Awards Arena: AI-Generated Song Entered For Grammy Consideration?

TV & Film

Sep 9

Grammy Award — Image Source: 3KRTV Great Falls

And the Grammy goes to…. In terms of AI-generated music, it’s more complicated than that. A creative who goes by Ghostwriter used AI to generate a song that went viral titled “Heart on My Sleeve.” The AI was utilized to imitate Drake and the Weeknd both without their permission as well as not crediting the humans whose voices were heard on the track. Universal Music sent takedown notices due to the unauthorized use of the artists that they represent. Initially, The Recording Academy CEO, Harvey Mason Jr. stated in an interview with The New York Times that the song is “absolutely eligible because it was written by a human.” Deadline reports however that Mason posted to social media on the heels of that interview that the popular viral hit was in fact, not eligible for Grammy consideration after all. So, what changed his mind?

Mason posted his retraction regarding Grammy consideration in an Instagram video. “Let me be extra, extra clear: Even though it was written by a human creator, the vocals were not legally obtained, the vocals were not cleared by the label, or the artists, and the song is not commercially available and because of that, it’s not eligible.” He continued by reiterating that he takes “this stuff very seriously. It’s all complicated, and it’s moving, really, really quickly. I’m sure things are going to continue to have to evolve and change. But please, please, do not be confused. The Academy is here to support and advocate and protect and represent human artists, and human creators period.”

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It is worth noting that The Recording Academy clarified over the summer rules regarding AI that state “only human creators are eligible to be submitted for consideration for, nominated for, or win a Grammy Award. A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any Category.” Check out Mr. Mason’s full video on Instagram explaining his reason for denying Grammy eligibility for Ghostwriter’s “Heart on My Sleeve.”