Timbaland releases formal apology to producer amid AI Record Label controversy
In early June, Timbaland announced a new AI entertainment company, Stage Zero, and revealed the creation of a new AI artist. Now, he has apologised to the producer K Fresh after allegations that he used his music to train the AI artist.
On June 20th, producer K Fresh demanded a public apology from Timbaland within 24 hours for using his song without consent to train the model publicly. K Fresh guaranteed that if he failed to release a statement, Timbaland would face legal consequences.
He released a statement on Instagram that included the request for an apology. It began, “We are writing at a time when musicians feel unseen, unheard, and unprotected. As the producer whose work was taken without permission, and as an entertainment attorney who advocates for musicians’ rights, we are speaking up for the music community and for all creators being pushed aside by AI-driven innovation.”
The controversy centres on a particular video in which, K Fresh explains, “Timbaland, who serves as Suno’s strategic advisor and public ambassador, shared a troubling video in which he took K Fresh’s original song, uploaded it into Suno’s AI platform, and released an unauthorised AI remix. There was no credit. No consent. No apology.”
K Fresh then clarified that the moves go beyond the “unethical” as it “violated U.S. copyright law and breached SUno’s own Terms of Use.” As a result, the song is part of Suno’s permanent training model without any consent.”
Timbaland responded to the producer’s demands less than four hours later, writing a lengthy statement on social media. “Recently, I shared a post where I used a song that I believed was fully owned by the artist who sent it to me,” the statement began. At the time, he insisted that he was “genuinely inspired and wanted to demonstrate what’s possible.” He also clarified he didn’t “monetize it, release it, or try to claim ownership.”
“I’d like to formally apologize to K Fresh. I should have done my due diligence before using it,” Timbaland added. However, he is adamant he did not “violate the law” as “under the current law, even if a company removes the content, they’re not required to delete anything the AI may have learned from it.”
In other AI news, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek is leading a €600 million investment in a start-up company specialising in artificial intelligence military software. The company is producing drones, aircraft and submarines. It is also developing a new “Centaur” system to integrate “advanced AI pilots” into the cockpits of fighter aircraft.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.