Industry professionals have been abuzz following an apology from renowned music producer, Timbaland, for his unauthorized use of a beat created by K Fresh. The beat was employed to create an AI-generated remix via the Suno platform, leading to a backlash.
On June 20, K Fresh issued a public ultimatum to the producer, demanding a public apology within 24 hours or otherwise face potential legal repercussions.
The track was reportedly disseminated without credit, consent, or compensation, sparking significant criticism from artists and other industry figures.
In response, Timbaland released a statement on his social media platform where he conceded to not having confirmed the origin of the beat before utilizing it in his demo. He stated, “I’d like to formally apologize to K Fresh. I should have done my due diligence before using it. Regardless of the intent, I recognize that not everyone involved was aware or onboard, and I take full responsibility for that oversight.”
The controversy emerged after the esteemed producer uploaded a remix crafted with Suno, an AI music platform he advises, using a beat originally produced by K Fresh.
In an open letter addressed to both Timbaland and Suno, K Fresh and his attorney, Ryan Schmidt, wrote, “There was no credit. No consent. No apology. Instead, he used someone else’s work without permission.”
Timbaland clarified that the remix was neither monetized nor distributed commercially, but was instead meant to highlight the creative capabilities of AI. He explained, “I didn’t monetize it, release it, or try to claim ownership. I was genuinely inspired and wanted to demonstrate what’s possible.”
Although Timbaland’s legal counsel, Tynia Coats, conceded that the remix violated Suno’s terms of service, she affirmed that it did not contravene any laws. She stated, “Just because something’s legal doesn’t mean it’s right. The audio is no longer on Suno’s platform.”
Nevertheless, the implications of the controversy may be far-reaching. As part of their demands, K Fresh and his legal team have requested that Timbaland provide proof that the beat has been removed from Suno’s training data and commit to refraining from using unlicensed music in future demos. The current status of the data within Suno’s algorithm remains uncertain.
Timbaland’s affiliation with Suno, an AI-powered music platform, has resulted in increased scrutiny from artists who are concerned about the potential exploitation of creative work by AI. Furthermore, Timbaland recently launched Stage Zero, a company specializing in AI-generated music, and introduced a virtual artist named TaTa, which has prompted criticism for potentially overshadowing human talent.
