Is Josh Fawaz's cover of 'Like a Prayer' a product of generative AI in Australian music?

Josh Fawaz’s cover of Like a Prayer, released in April 2023, has rapidly ascended to the top of the Australian commercial radio charts and the global iTunes electronic music charts. This sudden success has ignited a debate about the role of generative AI in music production, particularly in Australia.

Controversy Surrounding AI in Music Production

Fawaz's rendition of Madonna’s classic has sparked questions among music experts regarding its authenticity. Critics argue that the song exhibits characteristics typical of music produced by AI generators, such as heavy compression, which raises concerns about the value of human artistry in music.

According to Sam Whiting, a senior research fellow at RMIT’s School of Media and Communication, “This is a very impressive vocal performance if it was delivered by a human, but if it’s not, that brings in really worrying questions around what we value any more in terms of human expression.”

Fawaz's Response and the Rise of AI Tools

In response to the criticism, Fawaz stated on Instagram, “I use AI as a tool. What I care about is providing my listeners with good music.” His approach reflects a growing trend where artists utilize AI technologies to enhance their work rather than allowing AI to create music independently.

Fawaz's journey in music began in the 2010s, but it was his pivot to cover songs in 2023 that led to significant commercial success. His debut album, Dance Like Nobody’s Watching, features popular reimaginings of tracks like Oasis's Wonderwall and Cyndi Lauper's Girls Wanna Have Fun and has climbed to No 18 on the Aria Australian artist albums chart.

The Impact of AI on Copyright and Royalties

The recent implementation of a commercial radio code of practice in Australia, effective July 1, 2023, mandates transparency about AI-generated voices on air, but notably, it does not cover music. This situation has alarmed many artists as big tech companies lobby for changes to Australian copyright laws that would allow them to use local music to train AI models.

Producer Needs No Sleep voiced his concerns on social media, labeling AI-generated content as the “biggest issue in music right now.” He emphasized that AI-produced music collects royalties each time it is streamed, which could detract from earnings for human artists. “If this is the future of music production … then we really are cooked,” he stated.

A spokesperson for the Australasian Performing Right Association confirmed that Fawaz has been a member since 2021, and noted that how Like a Prayer was recorded would not affect royalty payments to the original copyright holders, Madonna and Patrick Leonard.

As AI tools become more prevalent in music production, Fawaz is among many artists navigating the complexities of this evolving landscape. The rise of AI music tools has already seen three AI-generated songs reach the top spots on Spotify and Billboard charts in the past year.