Oscar-winning music maestro A. R. Rahman, renowned for his innovative approach, recently utilized artificial intelligence to recreate the voices of late playback singers Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed for the song 'Thimiri Yezhuda' in the Rajinikanth-starrer 'Lal Salaam.' Responding to queries and concerns regarding the use of AI and compensation to the singers' families, Rahman took to social media, clarifying the situation.
Addressing his followers on X, previously known as Twitter, Rahman shared a post from Sony Music South, shedding light on the use of an AI tool to replicate the voices of the departed artists. In his note, Rahman explained, "We took permission from their families and sent deserving remuneration for using their voice algorithms...technology is not a threat and a nuisance if we use it right." He concluded the post with hashtags #respect and #nostalgia.
Bamba Bakya, a frequent collaborator with Rahman, passed away in 2022 due to a cardiac arrest, while Shahul Hameed met with a tragic end in a car crash near Chennai in 1997.
While Rahman's innovative use of AI garnered support from many on the internet, there was a segment of users expressing concerns about the potential disrespect towards the late singers. Some argued that an excessive reliance on AI could limit opportunities for emerging talents in the industry. The debate reflects the ongoing discussion within the music community about the ethical implications and artistic considerations associated with the use of artificial intelligence in creative processes.
(With Agency Inputs)
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