AI-generated song imitating Justin Bieber goes viral

A song resembling a track by Justin Bieber and featuring lyrics about losing oneself at a party hosted by Sean 'Diddy' Combs has gone viral on various social media platforms including TikTok, X, and YouTube, garnering millions of views. Researchers have suggested that the song was likely created using artificial intelligence. The song first appeared on these platforms in April, with a particular TikTok video garnering an impressive 7 million views. However, its fame skyrocketed recently following the charges against Combs for sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution last week.

Controversial Lyrics and AI Involvement

The song contains provocative lyrics, with lines such as "Wasn't worth all the fortune and fame" and "I was in it for a new Ferrari, but it cost me way more than my soul." These lines seemingly reference allegations of sexual abuse and other misconduct at Combs' residences. Despite the song's wide circulation, there is no evidence of Bieber releasing the track, nor does it feature in his official catalog. Representatives for Bieber have not responded to CBS News' request for comment. It's noteworthy that Bieber was signed by Combs' protégé, Usher, in 2008.

Many social media users expressed suspicions that the song was AI-generated, while others were convinced it was a legitimate release by Bieber. The track has been utilized in over 4,500 TikTok videos, according to CBS News. Moreover, Google Trends data revealed a surge in searches for the terms "Bieber" and "Diddy" together from late March to early April, which coincided with the song's initial circulation. A subsequent peak in searches for the two artists occurred when the song reemerged in late September.

Expert Analysis and AI Detection

CBS News subjected the song to several AI audio detection tools, and multiple results indicated that the audio, or at least portions of it, were likely generated by artificial intelligence. Stephen Stahl, co-founder of Ai-SPY, an AI audio detection tool, speculated that the song was possibly AI-generated. He suggested the possibility of someone writing the lyrics and melody, then uploading them to a website, and utilizing a clone of Justin Bieber's voice to produce the track. Stahl highlighted the transformative potential of AI in making song creation more accessible and efficient, but also cautioned that it could diminish the need for talent in constructing excellent music.

Impacts on Streaming and Combs' Catalog

Zohaib Ahmed, CEO and founder of Resemble AI, another AI detection company, concurred with the assessment that the song was likely AI-generated. Interestingly, Combs' music catalog experienced a notable increase in streams after his indictment, with an average boost of 18.3% during the week of his arrest compared to the week prior, as reported by industry data and analytics company Luminate. This surge in interest came despite the serious legal allegations surrounding Combs. And while the allegations against Combs have sparked controversy, they have inadvertently led to a rise in interest in his music.