Over the summer time, Common Music Group struck a strategic partnership with AI tech firm SoundLabs targeted on ‘ethically’ educated instruments for music creators.
The plan was for SoundLab, based by Grammy-nominated producer, composer, software program developer, and digital artist BT, to equip UMG’s artists and producers with AI know-how by way of its ‘MicDrop’ AI vocal plug-in.
The primary AI-driven launch from that partnership has now been introduced: a Spanish language model of Brenda Lee’s iconic vacation hit, Rockin’ Round The Christmas Tree, first recorded 66 years in the past.
Rockin’ Round The Christmas Tree topped the US Scorching 100 for 3 weeks final 12 months – over 50 years after it was first recorded and launched (in 1958) by the then 13-year-old star.
The brand new model, Noche Buena y Navidad, was produced by Latin Grammy winner Auero Baqueiro. It makes use of the unique music and background vocals whereas changing Lee’s unique lead vocals with a newly translated Spanish-language vocal.
The observe was launched at the moment (October 25) through MCA Nashville and UMe, the worldwide catalog division of UMG.
The brand new vocal for Noche Buena y Navidad was created utilizing SoundLabs AI’s MicDrop audio plug-in, which permits a person to rework their voice into one other voice or instrument.
In partnership with UMG, SoundLabs is creating official “ultra-high constancy” vocal fashions for artists utilizing their very own voice knowledge for coaching whereas giving them full creative approval and management of the output.
UMG claims that the discharge marks the primary time a music firm has used “ethically educated AI” to launch a brand new language model of a basic music, which it says was “created responsibly with the artist’s involvement and authorization”.
Common has been a outstanding participant within the AI area over the previous couple of years. In October final 12 months, UMG partnered with BandLab Applied sciences for what they described as “an expansive, industry-first strategic relationship focused on synthetic intelligence.” And in August final 12 months, YouTube and UMG fashioned a partnership to collectively develop AI instruments.
This month, UMG Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge was named on Enterprise Insider’s AI Energy Listing 2024.
“I’m so blown away by this new Spanish model of ‘Rockin’ Round The Christmas Tree,’ which was created with the assistance of AI.”
Brenda Lee
“I’m so blown away by this new Spanish model of ‘Rockin’ Round The Christmas Tree,’ which was created with the assistance of AI,” stated Brenda Lee.
“All through my profession, I carried out and recorded many songs in several languages, however I by no means recorded ‘Rockin’’ in Spanish, which I might have cherished to do. To have this out now could be fairly unimaginable and I’m completely happy to introduce the music to followers in a brand new means.”
“We’re additionally very excited in regards to the prospects of this rising know-how and sit up for harnessing its capabilities to introduce new materials created by and permitted by our artists.”
Bruce Resnikoff, UMe
Added UMe President & CEO, Bruce Resnikoff: “We’re thrilled to work with Brenda Lee to creating ‘Rockin’ Round The Christmas Tree’ the primary basic music translated responsibly into one other language with the ability of AI.
“We’re additionally very excited in regards to the prospects of this rising know-how and sit up for harnessing its capabilities to introduce new materials created by and permitted by our artists.”
“We’re all so excited for this new Spanish model created with the assistance of AI from that legendary voice and permitted by Brenda Lee herself.”
Cindy Mabe, UMG Nashville
UMG Nashville Chair & CEO, Cindy Mabe, stated: “The minute you hear Brenda Lee’s iconic voice on Rockin’ Round The Christmas Tree you already know it’s the official begin of Christmas.
“The worldwide hit has touched individuals all around the world and saved this younger 13-year-old spirit of Christmas captured in a time capsule. We’re all so excited for this new Spanish model created with the assistance of AI from that legendary voice and permitted by Brenda Lee herself to assist have fun this enduring, timeless basic.”
“This mission was a tremendously thrilling showcase for MicDrop, our real-time voice-to-voice plugin.”
BT, SoundLabs
SoundLabs founder, BT, stated: “This mission was a tremendously thrilling showcase for MicDrop, our real-time voice-to-voice plugin.
“Coaching a mannequin based mostly on the 13-year-old Brenda Lee, utilizing unique masters, was each a rewarding problem and a inventive breakthrough. We’re thrilled with how this know-how breathes new life right into a beloved Christmas basic, mixing innovation with custom in a very human means.”
UMG famous on Friday that it helps bipartisan laws launched within the US Congress to guard people’ voice and visible likeness from unauthorized computer-generated recreations, utilizing generative AI and different applied sciences, like deepfakes and voice/picture clones.
The invoice, generally known as the “NO FAKES Act” (S. 4875 within the Senate and H.R. 9551 within the U.S. Home of Representatives) has help throughout the inventive neighborhood.
Lately, Brenda Lee joined a whole bunch of artists, songwriters, and different creators supporting the laws in an open letter revealed by the Human Artistry Marketing campaign, the worldwide group backing Accountable AI.Music Enterprise Worldwide
