Millions of Spotify fans were duped by The Velvet Sundown, a band whose music was entirely the product of artificial intelligence. The group’s heartfelt country-folk tunes, which had garnered over a million streams, were all machine-made.
Listeners had embraced the albums Floating On Echoes and Dust And Silence, believing in the authenticity of the band’s artistry. The emotional impact of the revelation has been profound, with many fans expressing disbelief.
The truth emerged after an adjunct member revealed the band’s use of Suno, a leading AI music platform. The band’s handlers eventually confirmed the story and ended the project.
This event has sparked a wider debate about the role of AI in the arts and the need for greater transparency in digital music.