Top 10 Celebrities Revolutionizing Music with AI-Generated Songs & Videos in 2024
Image Credit: Bruno Cervera | Splash
In 2024, numerous celebrities have embraced artificial intelligence to innovate in music and music video production. Here are ten notable instances where AI played a pivotal role in celebrity music projects.
1. Taylor Swift (American): AI-Personalized Live Show Visuals
Global pop icon Taylor Swift elevated her live performances by integrating AI technologies into her Eras Tour. The tour's stage design featured expansive digital displays and dynamic visuals that transformed to reflect the themes of each song, creating an immersive experience for audiences. This innovative approach allowed Swift to tailor her performances to specific venues and audiences, enhancing the connection with her fans.
A notable example of AI integration was the use of a moving platform, affectionately dubbed "TayRoomba", which debuted during her performances of "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" and "Down Bad". This rover, operated by a crew member from within, played a key role in the show's dramatic stage visuals, aiding in special effects that symbolized an alien abduction and other intense scenes. The incorporation of such AI-driven elements set new standards for live show production, demonstrating how technology can amplify artistic expression and audience engagement.
[Read More: Taylor Swift Tops Spotify AI Charts: Talent or Algorithm? Fans and Critics Weigh In]
2. Willonius Hatcher (American): AI Comedy Meets Music in "BBL Drizzy"
American comedian and musician Willonius Hatcher, known as King Willonius, released "BBL Drizzy", an AI-generated R&B parody song that humorously addressed rumours about Drake undergoing cosmetic surgery. The track gained significant attention amid the ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, with hip-hop producer Metro Boomin sampling "BBL Drizzy" in a diss track aimed at Drake.
Hatcher created "BBL Drizzy" using Udio, a generative AI model capable of producing music. He experimented with various genres, including country, Afrobeats, and yacht rock, before settling on a 1970s R&B style to craft the song's soulful sound. The AI tools enabled Hatcher to generate high-quality music rapidly, democratizing the production process and allowing for timely engagement with current cultural conversations.
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3. Guns N’ Roses (American): AI-Driven Music Video for "The General"
In January 2024, American rock legends Guns N’ Roses released a music video for their single "The General", marking the band's first venture into AI-driven visual artistry. The video seamlessly blends live concert footage with AI-generated psychedelic animations, creating a unique visual experience that complements the band's signature sound.
The production of "The General" music video was a collaborative effort with Dan Potter, Creative Director of London-based studio Creative Works. The team employed advanced AI tools, including Stable Diffusion, to generate imagery inspired by the studio's artists. This fusion of human creativity and AI resulted in a dynamic visual narrative that delves into the subconscious of a young boy confronting dark childhood memories, effectively blurring the lines between reality and imagination.
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4. Billy Joel (American): AI-Powered Music Video
In February 2024, American singer-songwriter Billy Joel released "Turn the Lights Back On", his first new single in 17 years, accompanied by a music video that utilized AI to depict Joel performing across various stages of his career. Directed by Warren Fu and Freddy Wexler, the video employed generative AI technology developed by Deep Voodoo to create realistic portrayals of Joel from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, seamlessly integrating these representations into a cohesive performance.
The AI-driven visuals were achieved by analyzing archival footage and images of Joel, allowing the technology to reconstruct his appearance and mannerisms from different eras. This innovative approach enabled the production team to craft a narrative that transcends time, offering viewers a nostalgic journey through Joel's musical evolution.
5. Drake (Canadian): AI-Generated Tupac Vocals in Diss Track
In April 2024, Canadian rapper Drake released "Taylor Made Freestyle", a diss track targeting Kendrick Lamar. The song notably featured AI-generated vocals mimicking the late Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg, aiming to amplify its impact by invoking the personas of these iconic West Coast rappers. The AI technology employed analyzed existing recordings to recreate their distinctive vocal tones and delivery styles, seamlessly integrating them into the track.
However, the track faced immediate backlash. Tupac Shakur's estate issued a cease-and-desist letter, condemning the unauthorized use of his likeness and voice, and threatening legal action if the song was not removed from all platforms. The estate's attorney, Howard King, expressed deep dismay over the exploitation of Tupac's persona without consent, highlighting ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI to resurrect deceased artists' voices. In response to the legal pressure and public criticism, Drake promptly took down "Taylor Made Freestyle," underscoring the complex intersection of technology, artistry, and intellectual property rights in the modern music industry.
[Read More: UMG & KLAY Vision: Transforming AI Music with an Ethical, Artist-Friendly Model]
6. Dua Lipa (British-Albanian): AI-Designed Music Video Sets
In the same month, British-Albanian pop star Dua Lipa released the music video for her single "Illusion", the third release from her album Radical Optimism. The video, directed by Tanu Muino, is set in a futuristic, surreal landscape that complements the song's dance rhythms and psychedelic influences. The production team employed advanced AI tools to design intricate set pieces and visual effects, creating a dynamic environment that evolves in sync with the music.
The AI technology analyzed the song's tempo, mood, and lyrical content to generate visuals that enhance the storytelling. This collaboration between human creativity and AI resulted in a music video that pushes the boundaries of traditional production, offering viewers an immersive experience that aligns with Dua Lipa's innovative artistic vision.
7. SM Entertainment's 'Naevis' (South Korea): AI-Powered Virtual K-Pop Star
In September 2024, South Korea's SM Entertainment introduced Naevis, their first virtual artist, with the debut single "Done". Naevis, initially a character in the lore of the K-pop group Aespa, was brought to life using AI technologies. Her voice is entirely AI-generated, crafted through a blend of samples from various voice actors to produce a unique vocal identity. The music video for "Done" showcases Naevis navigating between digital and real-world environments, highlighting the seamless integration of AI in creating lifelike virtual performers.
The development of Naevis was a collaborative effort between SM Entertainment and LG Uplus, utilizing LG's generative AI technology, ixi-GEN. This partnership enabled the creation of diverse content for Naevis, including music videos, short-form clips, and concept images, all generated through AI. The ixi-GEN platform facilitated the production of both 2D and 3D content, enhancing the visual and interactive aspects of Naevis's debut.
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8. Leon Lai (Hong Kong): AI-Enhanced Song "72 Transformations"
In Oct 2024, Leon Lai, a prominent figure in Hong Kong's Cantopop scene, has embraced AI in his latest release, "72 Transformations". The music video showcases Lai morphing into various iconic characters, including the Monkey King, the Genie from Aladdin, and the landlady from Kung Fu Hustle. This creative approach not only adds a layer of humour and nostalgia but also reflects the adaptability and resilience of Hongkongers, themes central to the song's lyrics.
The production team utilized advanced AI technologies to achieve these seamless transformations. By analyzing and replicating facial features, expressions, and movements, the AI enabled Lai to embody multiple personas convincingly.
9. Kendrick Lamar (American): AI-Enhanced Concept Videos
In November 2024, American rapper Kendrick Lamar released "Squabble Up", a single accompanied by a visually striking music video that seamlessly integrates AI to enhance its artistic narrative. The video pays homage to California's rich cultural heritage, featuring imagery from both the Bay Area and Los Angeles, and includes a subtle nod to The Roots' 2009 video for "The Next Movement". This thoughtful acknowledgment resonated with Questlove, the legendary drummer and bandleader of The Roots, who expressed his gratitude on social media, highlighting the interconnectedness of hip-hop artists and their influences.
The production of the "Squabble Up" music video utilized advanced AI tools to create dynamic and abstract visuals that reflect the deeper messages in Lamar's music. By analyzing and interpreting the song's themes, the AI generated imagery that complements Lamar's lyrical content, resulting in a cohesive and immersive experience for viewers. This innovative approach demonstrates Lamar's commitment to expanding his creative horizons and exploring the potential of AI in music video production, setting a new standard for artistic expression in the industry.
[Read More: Nvidia Fugatto: AI Tool Creating Unheard Sounds and Redefining Music Production]
10. Kim Kardashian (American): AI-Generated Music Video Featuring North and Chicago West
In late November 2024, American media personality Kim Kardashian released an AI-generated music video titled "Bomb", featuring her daughters, North and Chicago West. The video showcases the children rapping in a desert landscape, pursued by whimsical furry creatures, with lyrics like "I like to go to the beach, I like the sun". This creative endeavor highlights Kardashian's willingness to explore AI technology in producing engaging content involving her family.
The music video's production utilized advanced AI tools to animate and synchronize the children's performances with the fantastical elements, creating a seamless and imaginative narrative. Despite the innovative approach, the video received mixed reactions, with some viewers critiquing its content and questioning the transparency of AI usage. Nonetheless, this project underscores the growing trend of celebrities incorporating AI in creative productions, pushing the boundaries of traditional media formats.
[Read More: Revolutionizing Business with AI Music Generators: Top Tools & Trends 2024]
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Source: TheDayAfterAI New, TIME, Billy Joel, Promo News, CNA Lifestyle, Korea JoongAng Daily, CNA Lifestyle, Korea JoongAng Daily, Guns N' Roses, Decrypt, Wired, Wikipedia, Architectural Digest, People, Rolling Out, Wikipedia
