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Shaan has strongly criticised the use of AI cloning to produce new songs in legendary singers’ voices.
Shaan to perform in Mumbai on Sept 19, honouring the legendary Kishore Kumar. (Photo Source: Instagram)
The growing use of Artificial Intelligence in the creative space has raised concerns across industries, and music is no exception. From scripting to visuals, AI is already being used to replicate human efforts, but its most controversial use has emerged in music, where voices of legendary singers are being artificially cloned and reimagined in new songs. Singer Shaan has now strongly criticised this trend, calling it an unfair and misleading practice, especially when it involves recreating the voices of late icons like Kishore Kumar.
Recently, a version of the song Saiyaara was circulated online where AI tools were used to make it appear as though Kishore Kumar had sung the track. The rendition became viral and gained immense popularity, receiving almost as much attention as the original. However, the experiment has left musicians like Shaan deeply disturbed.
Shaan Criticises AI Song Voice Swap Trend
In an interview with ANI, Shaan condemned the practice of using AI to make late singers’ voices appear in new-age songs. He called it both “cruel” and “wrong,” stressing that this does not celebrate their legacy but rather distorts it.
“I find this AI very cruel when they try to produce songs like ‘Yeh gaana agar Kishore da gaate, yeh gaana agar Mohammed Rafi gaate (If this song was sung by Kishore Kumar or Mohammed Rafi). What they sang in the 40s, what they sang in the 60s, and what they sang in the 80s were very different. So if they were singing today, it would again be very different,” Shaan pointed out, explaining why artificially replicating their voices misrepresents their artistry.
Shaan Said It’s Wrong To Produce The Voice Of A Singer with AI
The singer further emphasised that dynamic performers like Kishore Kumar cannot be boxed into algorithms or replicated by taking snippets of their tones. “It is wrong that you make that song sound like they would sing it like that. Not necessary. You can’t AI a person whose singing has been so dynamic. So it’s wrong that you take the tone of any four songs and make tons of tracks and covers with that,” Shaan explained.
Shaan On Saiyaara Produced By AI in Kishore Kumar’s Voice
Taking a firm stand against the Saiyaara version, Shaan said that not only is it misleading, but it also deprives listeners of truly appreciating Kishore Kumar’s authentic work. “The audience is so silly, they’re even comparing it with them. I’m just saying they shouldn’t do this AI. But the new generation has heard Kishore Kumar’s voice in Saiyaara or some other thing. That is not fair, man. They should hear his songs that he has sung in his time, which came out of his throat, came out of his sensibilities. Yes. Do not listen to this,” he said passionately.
Shaan’s Next Concert
While criticising the misuse of technology, Shaan is also preparing to honour Kishore Kumar in a way he feels is truly meaningful. On September 19, he will take the stage at The Grand Theatre, NMACC in Mumbai for his concert Forever Kishore Shaan Se. This will be the first time Shaan dedicates an entire live performance to Kishore Kumar, the singer who he believes has been instrumental in shaping his own musical journey.
Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-…Read More
Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-… Read More
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