AI audio unicorn ElevenLabs unveiled a new model on Tuesday that enables users to generate music, which the company says is cleared for commercial use. Reports Technology News
The launch signals a notable expansion for ElevenLabs, which has spent the past three years primarily focused on building advanced AI audio tools. Widely recognized as a leader in text-to-speech technology, the company has since branched out into conversational AI and tools for translating speech across languages.
As part of the announcement, ElevenLabs released samples of its AI-generated music. One standout example features a synthetic voice rapping lines like “came up through the cracks with ambition in my pocket,” charting a journey from “Compton to the Cosmos.” The lyrics echo the themes and language of iconic artists like Dr. Dre, N.W.A., and Kendrick Lamar—figures whose art is deeply rooted in lived experience. Hearing a computer-generated voice mimic that authenticity raises familiar ethical and creative concerns.
These questions underscore the challenges startups face when entering the world of AI-generated music. The industry is still grappling with unresolved issues around training data and copyright.
Last year, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) filed lawsuits against AI music startups Suno and Udio, alleging the companies trained their models on copyrighted material without permission. Both firms are now reportedly in talks with major record labels to explore licensing agreements.
