In the mid-2000s, Scott Woodruff founded Stick Figure, carving a niche in the reggae scene. With a strong fan base rooted in San Diego and Lake Tahoe, the band’s popularity soared through independent releases. Their appeal led them to billions of streams across eight albums and a successful touring career.
A surprise hit arrived in 2022 when the band’s composition, Run Run River, achieved viral status. Despite its success, Stick Figure wasn’t the benefactor. An AI-manipulated version of their 2019 single, Angels Above Me, altered its pace, vocal, and beat while omitting any credit to the original creators. This version became a massive success on Shazam and streaming platforms without reference to Stick Figure.
Woodruff expressed frustration over the lack of acknowledgment. “They didn’t credit us. We were just being ripped off,” he shared, feeling powerless as someone else profited from their work. The band’s team worked tirelessly to redirect recognition back to the legitimate artists.
The issue of fraudulent AI music poses a significant challenge. Records are easily altered and repackaged without crediting original artists. This enables users to generate manipulated music through services like Suno and Udio, distributing it via platforms like YouTube and Spotify. Deezer estimated 75,000 AI-created tracks are uploaded daily, with 85% deemed fraudulent.
AI intrusions have monetary implications. Michael Smith of North Carolina pleaded guilty to fraud via a scheme involving AI-generated tracks that earned him $8 million in royalties, bypassing deserving artists.
The transformation of Angels Above Me began in South Africa. A local radio host’s affinity for the song increased its visibility. Subsequently, TikTok user @MDBHouse edited and retitled it, evading track-identification software. The edited version gained traction, causing concerns regarding lost revenue and the band’s reputation.
Ineffable Music, managing Stick Figure, emphasized the distinction between genuine remixes and unauthorized AI clones. They explained that a derivative AI version cannot be considered a cover. “They took the original song, tweaked it, and uploaded it without credit,” Ineffable’s Thomas Cussins stated.
Rather than seeking an accord with MDB, Stick Figure created a new remix titled Run Run River (Angels Above Me) with artists David Guetta and Alok. Challenges surge from how AI is affecting the music industry.
The emergence of AI tools enables fake creations to overshadow original music. This trend extends to AI-generated songs falsely attributed to artists for visibility. Singer-songwriter Murphy Campbell experienced this firsthand.
Streaming giants are employing measures like Digital Data Exchange standards and Transparency Tags. These tools aim to identify AI use in songs and ensure rightful crediting.
Despite setbacks, Woodruff remains optimistic. Stick Figure’s dedicated fanbase continues to advocate for proper artist recognition. “Fans have taken over the comments, demanding credit for Stick Figure,” he noted, showcasing support from their loyal community.