The Bay AI-Generated Music Is Here. How Are Artists Adapting?
Nov 14, 2025
Nastia Voinovskéa, KQED's arts and culture editor, dives into the rise of AI-generated music and its impact on artists. She discusses chart successes for AI creators and the shift of investor interest from tools to replacement. Concerns about originality, racial exploitation, and economic fears for musicians are highlighted, alongside artist reactions and alternative platforms emerging. Nastia also explores how some artists are leveraging AI for marketing, emphasizing the tension between innovation and the preservation of emotional depth in music.
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From Tool To Replacement
- Early AI music tools like Lyric Studio started as creative aids and idea generators for writers.
- Investor interest since 2022 shifted focus toward replacing musicians, not just assisting them.
AI Singer Lands Major Record Deal
- Zania Monáe, a fictional AI R&B singer, led to a $3 million record deal for her creator.
- The AI artist marked the first recording contract awarded to an AI-generated performer.
Prompt-Driven Song Production
- Creators like Talisha Jones use text prompts and Suno to turn lyrics into finished tracks.
- This workflow removes many traditional roles like composing, performing, and instrument tracking.