Spotify hit by AI band hoax controversy
A mysterious band with no known members has gone viral on Spotify, sparking intense speculation that its music may be entirely AI-generated.
A band called The Velvet Sundown has gone viral on Spotify, gaining over 850,000 monthly listeners, yet almost nothing is known about the people behind it.
With no live performances, interviews, or social media presence for its supposed members, the group has fuelled growing speculation that both it and its music may be AI-generated.
The mystery deepened after Rolling Stone first reported that a spokesperson had admitted the tracks were made using an AI tool called Suno, only to later reveal the spokesperson himself was fake.
The band denies any connection to the individual, stating on Spotify that the account impersonating them on X is also false.
AI detection tools have added to the confusion. Rival platform Deezer flagged the music as ‘100% AI-generated’, although Spotify has remained silent.
While CEO Daniel Ek has said AI music isn’t banned from the platform, he expressed concerns about mimicking real artists.
The case has reignited industry fears over AI’s impact on musicians. Experts warn that public trust in online content is weakening.
Musicians and advocacy groups argue that AI is undercutting creativity by training on human-made songs without permission. As copyright battles continue, pressure is mounting for stronger government regulation.
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