Welcome back, fam. We don’t know what your plans are this weekend but we do know what they are in 3 weeks. PopShift Music Festival in NYC. Details are below — see you there!

Speaking of the music festival, have you seen our line up? Hint: Talwiinder is on it 👀 Read about the rising star and then watch him perform a live version of his hit single “Nasha” for PopShift. Today we also dive into the complex world of AI generated music. Is it a creative force or a dystopian threat? Let’s explore.

— Rosh & Raghu

🎵 AI Generated Music: Creative Force or Dystopian Threat?

Ariana Grande singing AP Dhillon? Kanye West and Drake dueting Kal Ho Na Ho? If it sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is. But at the same time, it’s not. AI generated music has shaken social media in recent weeks, leaving audiences with mixed emotions. Among them? Confusion, excitement, and fear.

What’s happening?
AI generated music are tracks created with the use of artificial intelligence and its sophisticated algorithms. The technology, though complex in nature, is simple to operate.

Users tell the software what they want to hear, inputting an abundance of information about existing music, then allowing the computer to analyze that data and produce new compositions. Those sounds and even vocals can then be fine-tuned by users, instructing the software to alter different aspects until the desired final product is created.

@mauryadi18

This for the desi girls, ariana hops on the track🥵 #aivoice #arianagrande #arianavoice #desi #desitiktok #ai #indian #desigirl #indian #br... See more

What’s cool about this?
Some artists are using AI software to aid them in the production process, helping connect chords and melodies that are tricky to put together otherwise. It can be viewed as a helpful tool to ideate alongside of and battle writer’s block.

Another advantage is the ability to generate high-quality music quickly, efficiently, and at a fraction of the cost. Independent artists and smaller labels who don’t have the financial resources to secure studio time are taking advantage of AI software to produce tracks in a cost and time-effective manner.

What’s scary about this?
Many musicians view AI to be largely detrimental to the industry, eliminating the creativity and artistic expression that gets poured into production. Music is an ancient craft with the power to touch souls, a medium that artists argue is too precious to be touched by AI. The erasure of the human touch on music is widely considered sacrilegious. Can technology emulate the work of living, authentic musicians?

Legally speaking, there also lies the issue of copyright. Who owns the AI produced music? Earlier this month, AI technology produced a collaboration between Drake and The Weeknd, a track that instantly went viral among fans. Within days though, the artists’ record labels were scrambling to erase all traces of it from the internet. Likewise, some users have employed AI to create new music with the late Sidhu Moose Wala’s voice and style, which others argue is morally reprehensible.

@the_grizzler4

#kanyewest #drake #ai #fyp #aicover

What now?
Regardless of your stance on the debate, AI music production isn’t likely to disappear. In fact, it’s only in its infancy. Considering the rapid growth rate of and the modern world’s preoccupation with technological advances, it seems inevitable that AI produced music will become the near future’s norm. Creative force or dystopian threat? Let us know below.

📣 PopShift Is Coming To NYC. Are You Ready?

PopShift Music Festival is a two-day experience from May 19-20 that will showcase exceptional South Asian talent and artistry through a weekend of community-centric events. Immerse yourself in a unique and interactive celebration of culturally-driven fashion, food, visual, and musical arts, all while connecting with extraordinary changemakers paving the way for South Asian cultural appreciation.

We kick off the festivities on May 19 with a Music + Arts Mixer at Lavan New York beginning at 6 p.m.. A talented lineup of South Asian visual artists will display their works across a myriad of fine mediums and techniques including paint, digital, print, sculpture, and more. As guests view these installations, they will also be treated to musical acts by a gifted roster of emerging vocalists and instrumentalists.

While the official lineup of visual and musical artists for this event has yet to be released — YOU, our loyal newsletter subscribers — get a sneak peek into just a few of our star guests. More to be announced soon!

Visual artists: Haf and Haf, Suede, & Tanya Gupta
Musical acts: FINESSE & Anjali Taneja

Help us expand our newsletter! We’re looking for writers and new music to share.

Watchlist: Talwiinder and His Experimental Punjabi Bangers

Talwiinder may be a name you don’t recognize yet, but you will. His music has been rising up in the underground Punjabi music industry since 2018, when he dropped his debut single “Unforgettable.”

Behind the signature face paint is a 26-year-old, Bay area-raised artist with a wicked talent for fusing traditional Punjabi folk and contemporary electro-pop beats with elements of R&B and hip-hop. The final sound is addicting, and his 500K+ monthly Spotify listeners is a testament to that.

Talwiinder aims to create music which tells his audience a story. Tracks like the collaborative “Dhundhala” alone have 10M+ streams, and are closely followed by everything from love ballads like “Gallan 4” to bass bangers like “Bach Ke.” His first EP titled “Nasha” released last year to rave reviews from fans.

What’s unique about Talwiinder is how intentional he is about allowing his music to speak for itself, covering his face and keeping a low social media presence (seriously, when was the last time you came across an artist who doesn’t use TikTok?) You can hear Talwiinder’s talent for yourself at PopShift Music Festival in NYC. Until then, catch his live performance of “Nasha” here.

Other Notable News

• Ali Sethi, Abdullah Siddiqui, Maanu, and Shae Gill released a new track “Left Right.”

• Curtis Waters released a new track “Death Keeps Calling My Name.”

• Akshara released a new track “Settle Down.”

• Neyhal released a new track “Aasu Hasi.”

• Hassan & Roshaan released the music video for their track “Duur Se.”

Listen to the PopShift Playlist on Spotify.

Writers: Roshni Lalchandani, Nirvani Pathak

Editors: Raghu Alla, Roshni Lalchandani