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AI-Generated Versions of Stick Figure's 'Angels Above Me' Top Charts in Multiple Countries
Unauthorized AI versions of the 2019 reggae track are charting across Europe, Britain, America and Canada while the original artists receive no credit or payment. Stick Figure leader Scott Woodruff and label executives call for immediate legislative reform as the original song sees five times its normal streaming plays.
May 8, 9:16 AM·2m read1 source
ForbesAudio version
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Unauthorized AI-generated remixes of Stick Figure's "Angels Above Me" are topping Apple Music charts in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and Ireland. The tracks have also become major streaming hits in Britain, America and Canada. The original Stick Figure artists and songwriters receive no credit or payment from the AI-generated versions.
The French streaming platform Deezer receives about 75,000 AI-generated songs uploaded daily. Deezer claimed that AI-generated content accounts for about 44 percent of its daily uploads. Forbes reported that the fraudulent versions of the 2019 track are part of a broader surge in AI music piracy.
J. O’Neill. J. O’Neill came up with the original concept for the song during personal struggles. The track first appeared on the album World On Fire.
Woodruff stated that the song seemed to come out of thin air, fell into place naturally, and that they had always loved it. He added that many people connect to "Angels Above Me" on a spiritual level, especially those who have lost people. According to Woodruff’s recent Instagram post, the original Stick Figure version is receiving five times more plays than normal across all streaming platforms.
Woodruff stated he would never have imagined that "Angels Above Me" would experience a viral resurgence in this fashion. He also stated that pirate third parties can generate a version with one click that goes ten times bigger than any song Stick Figure has ever had. The Ineffable Music Group provides label services to Scott Woodruff’s Ruffwood Records and manages Stick Figure.
