Over 50% of Hip-Hop Tracks Now Use AI: The Secret Role of Midjourney and Sonarworks

Insiders reveal the music industry's hidden use of AI generators, with top producers and songwriters relying on tools like Midjourney, while smaller players struggle to keep up. The shift is especially dramatic in hip-hop, where over half of sample-based tracks are now AI-generated

Key Takeaways

• More than half of sample-based hip-hop tracks are now made using AI-generated retro samples
• Established songwriters benefit from the speed of AI, but session musicians and studio assistants are losing gigs
• Major labels lack working software to detect AI-generated music, relying on an honor system

In This Article

1. The Rise of AI in Music Production
2. The Impact of AI on the Music Industry
3. Insights from Industry Insiders
4. The Future of Music Production

The Rise of AI in Music Production

The music industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the adoption of AI generators

• Top producers and songwriters are using AI tools like Midjourney to create music, but are keeping it a secret due to fear of public backlash
• The use of AI generators is especially prevalent in hip-hop, where over 50% of sample-based tracks are now AI-generated
• This shift is changing the way music gets made, with established songwriters benefiting from the speed and efficiency of AI

The Impact of AI on the Music Industry

• Session musicians and studio assistants are losing gigs due to the increased use of AI generators, as they are no longer needed to record demos
• The market for stock and production music is also being affected, with fewer opportunities for smaller players
• Major labels are struggling to keep up with the changes, lacking working software to detect AI-generated music and relying on an honor system

Insights from Industry Insiders

• Lauren Christy, a songwriter who has written for Avril Lavigne and Britney Spears, says the train has left the station when it comes to AI in music
• David Baron, a producer, believes that AI-generated music has already hit the Billboard charts
• Suno CEO Mikey Shulman has described his AI tool as the Ozempic of the music industry

The Future of Music Production

• The use of AI generators is set to continue, with over 70% of producers and engineers experimenting with AI tools
• The quality of AI-generated music is improving rapidly, with some AI demos sounding better than those created by humans
• The music industry will need to adapt to these changes, finding ways to detect and regulate AI-generated music

“the Ozempic of the music industry”

— Mikey Shulman, CEO of Suno

“the train has left the station”

— Lauren Christy, Songwriter

Final Thoughts

The music industry is changing rapidly, with AI generators playing an increasingly important role. Stay up-to-date with the latest developments at logicity.in, your go-to source for news and insights on AI and technology

Sources & Credits

Source: The Decoder — by Matthias Bastian