ElevenLabs’ new AI music generator blends synthetic sound production with commercial licensing agreements, signaling a new phase in AI-generated content. Image Source: ChatGPT-4o
ElevenLabs Unveils AI Music Generator with Commercial Licensing
Key Takeaways:
ElevenLabs launched a new AI music generator, marking its first major product beyond voice and speech tools.
The company claims the generated music is cleared for commercial use, supported by licensing deals.
Deals include agreements with Merlin Network and Kobalt Music Group, which represent major independent artists.
ElevenLabs shared samples, including a synthetic rap styled after artists like Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre.
The launch follows recent lawsuits against other AI music startups over copyright infringement.
ElevenLabs Launches AI Music Generator with Licensing Deals
ElevenLabs, known for its AI-driven text-to-speech technology, has launched a new AI music generator, expanding its product lineup beyond voice into full music creation. The company announced on Tuesday that the tool is designed to produce music that is cleared for commercial use.
This is the first time ElevenLabs—a three-year-old company and a rising player in AI audio—has ventured into music generation. Until now, it has focused on text-to-speech, language translation, and conversational AI tools.
AI-Generated Music and the Licensing Question
To support the new product, ElevenLabs released audio samples of its generated music. One track features a synthetic rap performance, with a computer-generated voice describing how it “came up through the cracks with ambition in my pocket” and left its hometown, traveling “from Compton to the Cosmos.” The style draws lyrical influence from artists like Dr. Dre, N.W.A., and Kendrick Lamar—musicians whose work is rooted in personal and cultural experience. The contrast underscores growing concerns about AI’s attempt to emulate identity and hardship without context or authenticity.
The creative choices in the sample have already raised questions. The use of stylistic and thematic elements tied to artists’ lived experiences intensifies ongoing debates over whether AI-generated content can ethically and authentically reflect human stories, especially when trained on material with deep personal and cultural significance.
Legal Risks in AI Music Development
The announcement comes at a time of rising legal scrutiny around AI music generation. In 2024, both Suno and Udio were sued by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for allegedly training their models on copyrighted material without permission. Those cases are still ongoing, with both companies now reportedly pursuing licensing deals with major record labels.
To distinguish its approach, ElevenLabs revealed new licensing agreements with Merlin Network and Kobalt Music Group—two digital rights organizations that represent large catalogs of independent musicians—granting the company access to licensed music catalogs for AI training.
According to their websites, Merlin represents artists such as Adele, Nirvana, Mitski, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Phoebe Bridgers, while Kobalt counts Beck, Bon Iver, and Childish Gambino among its roster.
However, the terms of these licensing deals have not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether specific artists’ works were included in the AI training datasets.
Q&A: ElevenLabs AI Music Generator
Q: What did ElevenLabs launch?
A: ElevenLabs released an AI music generator designed to create music cleared for commercial use.
Q: How does ElevenLabs claim the tool is legally compliant?
A: By signing licensing deals with rights holders like Merlin Network and Kobalt Music Group.
Q: What kind of music does it generate?
A: The tool generates full songs, including vocals. One demo included a synthetic rap in the style of West Coast hip hop.
Q: Why is licensing important in AI music?
A: Other AI music startups have been sued for using copyrighted content without permission in training.
Q: Are the details of ElevenLabs’ licensing deals public?
A: No. The company has not disclosed whether specific artists’ works were included in its training data.
What This Means
The move into AI-generated music signals a bold step for ElevenLabs as it transitions from voice tools to full creative production. By securing deals with Merlin and Kobalt, the company is trying to preempt the legal pitfalls that have derailed its competitors, positioning itself as a more rights-conscious player in the AI music space.
Still, the lack of transparency around which catalogs were used in training leaves questions about the scope and limits of its commercial claims. As regulators, artists, and rights groups continue to push for accountability in AI training, ElevenLabs’ approach could set a precedent—or become another flashpoint.
For now, its entrance into AI music underscores a growing trend: text, voice, and sound are converging, and the companies who can combine them legally and creatively are staking out new territory in the future of content production.
Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.