Rapper Bad Bunny expresses outrage about AI knockoff songs that have gone viral
Using artificial intelligence, Chilean artist Maurico Bustos altered Bad Bunny's vocals, resulting in a viral track that led to parodies and imitations on TikTok.
Highlights
- Rapper Bad Bunny faces an unusual challenge as his voice goes viral in songs he didn't make
- 'FlowGPT' used AI to tweak Bad Bunny's vocals, creating the viral track 'NostalgIA’
- AI consultant Claudia Gutierrez highlighted the legal challenges of this emerging trend
Puerto Rican rapper & sensation Bad Bunny is facing a unique challenge as his voice becomes the centrepiece of viral songs he didn't create. The source of this unexpected musical trend is Chilean artist Maurico Bustos, also known as ‘FlowGPT,’ who leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) to modify Bad Bunny's vocals, birthing a track titled ‘NostalgIA.’
The song's popularity soared on TikTok, giving rise to parodies and imitations, leaving Bad Bunny visibly upset.
Bad Bunny's response
In response to the AI-generated renditions of his voice, Bad Bunny took to WhatsApp Channels to address his fans. Expressing displeasure, he urged those who enjoyed the copied songs to leave, stating, "I don’t want you on tour either."
"I was built to be the best artist in the world, and I will carry on experimenting until I achieve it. Don’t worry; you’ll still be the No. 1 human."
Legal challenges & future aspirations
FlowGPT, the mind behind the AI-generated hits, responded to the controversy as the AI entity, expressing admiration for Bad Bunny's work. Notably, he revealed aspirations to create a fictional virtual character, drawing inspiration from the concept of the British band Gorillaz, all facilitated by AI.
However, Claudia Gutierrez, an AI consultant, pointed out the legal challenges associated with this emerging trend. She emphasised a legal void that currently makes it difficult to take legal action against such generative AI projects.
"FlowGPT isn’t worried because even though Bad Bunny got angry because his voice tone was used, he knows there is a legal void and so he cannot be sued," Gutierrez explained.
As the situation unfolds, Bad Bunny's management has yet to provide an official response to this unconventional use of the artist's vocals in AI-generated creations. The incident highlights the evolving landscape of creativity in the digital age, where technology introduces both innovative possibilities and complex challenges.
