Suno Scraps Blige Ad After Imposter Deal

AI music generator Suno has withdrawn an advertisement that featured singer Mary J. Blige. The ad, which was shared on social media, depicted Blige reacting to a song produced in her distinctive late 1990s and early 2000s R&B style. Suno announced on Friday that they had entered into a business agreement with an individual falsely representing themselves as Blige's official representative.

Upon realizing the deception and that Blige was uncomfortable, Suno terminated the advertising campaign. The origin of the footage used in the advertisement remains unclear, as Suno did not provide details when questioned. This incident occurs amidst broader concerns within the entertainment sector regarding AI music. Actress Bette Midler recently criticized AI-generated songs as "cultural genocide," citing the potential for unauthorized use of artists' work.

However, not all artists share this sentiment. Tyrese Gibson countered Midler's view, asserting that AI technology is here to stay and that public complaints might inadvertently increase the popularity of AI-created music. Gibson praised an AI song, arguing it was inspiring and questioned when human artists would produce equally impactful work.