The United States-based artificial intelligence (AI) music platform Suno has removed an advertisement featuring American rhythm and blues (R&B) singer Mary J. Blige after confirming the deal behind it was never authorized. The removal follows a wave of critical online comments directed at Blige, but Suno said the ad was pulled because the agreement was invalid.
Late last month, Suno released a video ad in which Blige appears to collaborate with and respond positively to an AI-generated track that resembles her own work. She did not approve the ad, and the person who arranged the deal with Suno lacked the authority to do so.
“Ms. Blige is an icon who we all deeply admire,” a Suno spokesperson said in a statement. “[S]he hasn’t stopped innovating. That’s why we wanted to work with her.”
The ad shows Blige appearing to call the process behind the track “amazing” and “dope,” but the editing makes it unclear what she is actually responding to.
Legal pressure continues#
The removal comes as Suno faces multiple lawsuits from across the music industry. The company has secured licensing deals with Warner and the new iteration of BMG, but it remains in litigation with Universal and Sony over claims that their copyrighted works were used without authorization.
Suno is also facing legal action from artists and authors. The most recent filing is proposed class action led by country singer Jason Isbell, which claims the company enables users to produce tracks based on artists’ identities without their consent.
