Generative AI is quietly reshaping how audiences encounter music by African and African-linked artists, blurring the line between human expression and machine production. The viral success of “Papaoutai (Afro Soul Version)”—an AI-generated reworking of Stromae’s deeply personal hit—shows how platforms can amplify emotionally persuasive tracks without clear disclosure. As similar AI recreations proliferate, questions are growing about consent, authenticity, and artistic ownership, especially after research found that most people cannot reliably tell AI music from human-made songs. While some services like Deezer have introduced AI labels, most streaming algorithms treat human and machine output interchangeably, squeezing artists in an unsustainable ecosystem. As record labels pivot from lawsuits to partnerships with AI firms, the industry faces a core dilemma: what is the true value of art when emotional authenticity becomes optional?
OkayAfrica
