Singer Grimes OKs Using Her Voice for AI-Generated Tunes (No Nazi Songs, Please)

As other artists balk at music featuring their AI-generated voices, Canadian singer Grimes is embracing the technology.

On Sunday, she gave the public permission to create AI-generated songs featuring her voice. “Feel free to use my voice without penalty. I have no label and no legal bindings,” she tweeted(Opens in a new window). 

But there is a catch: Users have to split 50% of the royalties from any of the successful songs. They also have to avoid cloning Grimes’ voice to sing toxic lyrics. 

Tweet(Opens in a new window)

Grimes published the tweet after a song, “Heart on my Sleeve,(Opens in a new window)” used AI-generated voices to mimic Drake and The Weeknd. The tune was good enough that it went viral, racking up millions of listens before Universal Media Group issued a takedown order. 

Apparently, Grimes is a fan of applying AI voice-cloning technologies to music creation, despite the consternation from record labels and some music artists. “I think it’s cool to be fused [with] a machine and I like the idea of open sourcing all art and killing copyright,” she tweeted(Opens in a new window). 

Tweet(Opens in a new window)

However, hours after she tweeted out the offer, Grimes realized a potential pitfall with permitting anyone to use her voice for music. “Ok hate this part but we may do copyright takedowns ONLY for rly rly toxic lyrics w grimes voice,” she wrote(Opens in a new window). “Like no baby murder songs plz.”

“Rly don’t like to do a rule but don’t wanna be responsible for a Nazi anthem unless it’s somehow in jest a la producers I guess,” she added. 

To facilitate the AI-generated music, Grimes is working(Opens in a new window) on a way for users to register the song on her website, and then share in the revenues. In another tweet(Opens in a new window), Grimes said her team is also been developing a program to simulate her voice.