The resurgence of late artists on streaming platforms has taken a controversial turn, as Spotify faces scrutiny for hosting AI-generated tracks attributed to deceased musicians. The issue, first reported by 404 Media, centers on a song titled “Together” that briefly appeared on the Spotify profile of Blaze Foley, a country singer-songwriter murdered in 1989. The track, which mimicked Foley’s signature style with piano and electric guitar arrangements, was accompanied by an AI-generated image depicting an unrecognizable male singer. Spotify removed the song after determining it violated policies against deceptive impersonation, according to a statement shared with Mashable.
Craig McDonald, owner of Foley’s label Lost Art Records, dismissed the track as algorithmic imitation. “It has nothing to do with the Blaze you know,” he told 404 Media, calling the creation “AI schlock.” Similar AI-generated content attributed to Grammy-winning artist Guy Clark, who died in 2013, also surfaced on Spotify. Clark’s page featured a song and a distorted AI image bearing little resemblance to the musician. A Spotify spokesperson emphasized the platform’s stance against fraudulent uploads, warning that repeat offenders risk permanent removal.
While some, like music critic Ted Gioia, praised Spotify’s swift takedowns, listeners voiced frustration over the platform’s reactive approach. On Reddit, users reported encountering multiple AI-generated tracks in personalized playlists like Discover Weekly, with one commenting, “They need to add an AI filter ASAP.” Despite calls for transparency, Spotify has not disclosed how it identifies AI content or whether it plans to label such material—a gap fueling demands for regulatory intervention.
In the UK, the British Phonographic Industry has urged lawmakers to enforce AI labeling and copyright protections. “Fans deserve to know if what they’re hearing is human-made or synthetic,” said Sophie Jones, the group’s chief strategy officer, in a Guardian interview. Legal experts note streaming services currently face no obligation to flag AI-generated works, leaving platforms like Spotify to rely on post-upload enforcement.
The incidents underscore broader tensions as AI tools democratize creative expression while challenging ethical and legal norms. For legacy artists’ estates, the rise of algorithmic impersonation risks diluting musical legacies. For listeners, the blurred lines between human and machine-generated art fuel distrust. As debates over authenticity and regulation intensify, the music industry—and its audiences—remain caught in a struggle to adapt to technology’s rapidly evolving role in culture.
