Universal Music Group and AI audio research and product company ElevenLabs have announced a multi-year licensing agreement and wider strategic collaboration.
UMG and ElevenLabs will launch a new AI-powered music platform for fans, as well as jointly develop AI audio products for artists and songwriters.
Described as a “groundbreaking development”, ElevenLabs’ first agreement with a major label encompasses licensing and product development. It follows reports of licensing talks in the past year.
“It reflects the companies’ shared commitment to the principles that AI-enabled music innovation should be built responsibly, respect human artistry, and enable artists and songwriters to share in the value created,” said a statement from UMG.
The ElevenLabs-UMG relationship will begin with a new AI-powered music creation platform built on licensed music and artist participation. Now in development, the platform will give fans new ways to co-create with music from participating artists and songwriters, including through remixes and mash-ups, new track interpretations and personalised vocal experiences.
The agreement also includes the development of additional products and fan experiences in the months and years to come.
UMG and ElevenLabs are aligned that responsible AI can inspire discovery, deepen engagement between artists and fans, and unlock new revenue opportunities for the creative community
Sir Lucian Grainge
“The most exciting possibilities for AI and music are those that put artists, songwriters, and fans at the centre,” said Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group. “UMG and ElevenLabs are aligned that responsible AI can inspire discovery, deepen engagement between artists and fans, and unlock new revenue opportunities for the creative community. ElevenLabs’ leadership in AI audio brings a new dimension to our growing ecosystem of partners committed to expanding what’s creatively and commercially possible for human artistry.”
“AI opens up incredible possibilities for interacting with our favorite music and artists,” said ElevenLabs co-founder and CEO Mati Staniszewski. “By combining UMG’s global community and rights management expertise, with our AI models and products, we’ll enable artists and songwriters to create powerful new experiences for their fans, and ensure they are fairly compensated.”
The new platform will be distinct and offered separately from ElevenLabs’ existing music products, which include Music API (studio-grade music models) and ElevenMusic (music creation app for generating and editing original songs).
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