‘It will never cover what’s authentic’: African music industry weighs up AI risks and rewards
TL;DR
At an industry event in Cape Verde, delegates from the African music scene weigh AI opportunities against risks, stressing that technology cannot replace authentic talent. Nigerian singer Fave faced a viral moment last July when an unauthorised AI-choir version of her track took over the internet — she responded by recording her own remix and adding it to her official discography. Lagos entertainment lawyer Oyinkansola Fawehinmi praised the move as 'smart and very business aware', saying Fave effectively reclaimed the AI version as her own.
Nauti's Take
Nauti reads Fave's reaction as a strong lesson: AI can be turned to artists' advantage — those who reclaim control fast can even add revenue instead of losing it. The downside is real, though: unauthorised AI versions and stolen voices threaten talent in markets without strong rights enforcement.
Promising for nimble artists and managers, risky for anyone who chooses to sit this out.
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