We’re facing a troubling reality: an AI clone impersonating King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard has surfaced on Spotify. The streaming platform has since removed the AI mimic, and frontman Stu Mackenzie expressed a mix of irony and concern about the situation, saying, “Seriously wtf – we are truly doomed.”
The drama unfolded after King Gizzard pulled their music from Spotify in July as a protest aimed at CEO Daniel Ek, who also chairs Helsing, a military technology company, and is a major investor. In a bid to fill the void, an AI-voiced artist named King Lizard Wizard appeared on Spotify, delivering psychedelic-rock renditions with identical track titles and AI-generated artwork that vaguely echoed the band’s fantastical album art. Spotify has since removed King Lizard Wizard, stating that impersonation violates their policies and that no royalties were paid for streams.
AI-generated music has become one of the most hotly debated topics in the industry. Earlier this year, Spotify reported removing around 75 million tracks suspected of AI involvement or other spam, as bad actors attempt to game the system for royalties. Cases of “deepfake” versions of famous artists, including Drake, have also surfaced online.
Meanwhile, AI music looks set to grow in popularity. In the UK Top 40, Haven’s track I Run initially featured AI-modulated vocals. Haven’s Harrison Walker defended using AI, describing it as a tool for creators who want to stay at the forefront of technology. The song went viral but was pulled from streaming services after labels and industry bodies argued that the AI voice too closely resembled Jorja Smith. Haven subsequently re-recorded the song with human vocals. Smith’s label, Famm, contends that both the AI and human versions infringe her rights and unfairly exploit the songwriters who contributed to the track.
This development foreshadows AI’s mainstream arrival, especially once consumer-friendly AI music tools hit the market. In recent weeks, Universal and Warner have struck partnerships with Udio and Suno to enable fans to generate AI-based music using work owned by label-signing artists, with options for artists to opt in or out.
Industry figures offer mixed takes. Dave Stewart, the Eurythmics producer, called AI in music an “unstoppable force” and urged artists to license or sell their voices and skills to these platforms. Others, however, warn of risk to artists and songwriters’ livelihoods. Following Universal’s collaboration with Udio, Irving Azoff, founder of the Music Artists Coalition, warned that artists could be sidelined and argued that while technology offers opportunities, it must not come at the expense of creators’ rights and fair compensation. Clear guidance on creative control and contract terms remains essential as the AI era expands.
