Legendary Letta Mbulu has warning about AI
Letta Mbulu says artificial intelligence should never replace the creativity and hard work of real artists, warning that musicians’ livelihoods must be protected.
LEGENDARY singer Letta Mbulu has expressed concern over the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music
She warned that while technology continues to evolve, it should never come at the expense of artists whose creativity powers the industry
Speaking to Daily Sun during the Ziyakhala Mo Sun City concert, where she and her husband, music legend Caiphus Semenya were honoured for their outstanding contribution to South African music, mama Letta said AI poses a serious threat to musicians’ livelihoods if left unchecked
The 83-year-old singer from Orlando East, Soweto rose to international fame after leaving South Africa during apartheid. Over a career spanning more than six decades, she has become one of the country’s most celebrated voices, known for timeless songs such as Not Yet Uhuru and There’s Music in the Air
She has also collaborated with some of the world’s biggest artists while remaining an ambassador for South African music and culture
AI has become increasingly common in the music industry, with computer systems capable of generating lyrics, composing melodies, and even producing songs that imitate the voices and styles of well-known artists
While many see the technology as a useful creative tool, others fear it could replace musicians and exploit their work without permission or fair compensation
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Mama Letta believes artists have every reason to be worried
“It’s like robbing the artist. They will do that because they want to make money. The artists will go back to where they were before in terms of hunger and poverty. You’re trying to uplift yourself, but they’re trying to bring you down,” she said
She said artists spend years building their careers and shouldn’t lose the rewards of their hard work because of technology designed to generate profits for others
“There’s nothing I can do. I wish there was something I could do,” she said
Although she accepts that AI is here to stay, mama Letta believes governments, the music industry and technology companies must work together to ensure artists are protected
“It’s going to be with us, but we have to think. We have to really think about how we can handle it,” she added.
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