‘Kawawa ang sining’: OPM community sounds alarm as ‘AI artist’ hits Spotify PH chart

Posted by ReyFort Media

OPM artists expressed alarm over reports that an “AI artist” had reached Spotify Philippines’ Daily Top Artists chart.

The social media account @allchartsPH, which posts music charts related to Original Pilipino Music (OPM), said on Sunday, November 16, that an “AI artist that covers Filipino songs” made its debut on a Spotify chart.

The post has received 600 likes, 966 reposts, and 124 replies on X (formerly Twitter), including reactions from some OPM artists themselves.

“Ubos brain cells, lahat ng pagpupuyat, at wala ng page sa notebook na sinusulatan ng kanta, para lang matalo ng isang robot na iniiba lang ang genre ng mismong kanta. Patawa kayo guys,” singer Mrld, or Meriel de Jesus, wrote.

Singer-songwriter TJ Monterde also reposted the report, adding a face-with-steam emoji.

Singer-songwriter Janine Teñoso also reacted to the development with a series of question marks and exclamation points.

Singer Eliza Maturan likewise reacted with a single question mark.

“Grabe naman, kawawa ang sining,” singer-songwriter Adiecommented.

“Sad,” actress-singerAngela Kenalso wrote.

Singer-songwriter Maki also expressed strong sentiments about the entry of an “AI artist” into the local Spotify chart.

“I already told [you],” he wrote with a crying emoticon.

“But [you] keep on using OPM AI-generated songs on the clock app,” the “KOLORCOASTER” singer added.

“Clock app” is another term for the TikTok app.

“Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s cool and handy. AI is actually a great tool for assistance and learning, BUT it should not replace humans,” he said.

The singer also urged Filipinos to “respect” the original artist of the song, which was being used to generate a version through AI.

“Also, respeto na lang din sa mga artist na nagsulat, nag-record, at nag-promote sa mga kanta na ‘yan from SCRATCH,” Maki said with a crying emoticon.

The “AI artist” in question refers to Lofi Town, which appeared on Spotify Philippines’ Daily Top Artists chart.

As of November 15, Lofi Town ranked number 144. The streaming platform reported that the artist has been on the chart for two days, debuting on November 14 at number 172.

Lofi Town is currently charting higher than other artists such as Apo Hiking Society, Calein, and bands Dilaw and Nobita, among others.

“Lofi Town is the biggest gainer on Top Artists Philippines, up 28 spots at #144,” Spotify said in its Charts report.

Some Filipinos speculated that Lofi Town reached the chart because TikTok users were sharing the artist’s songs, particularly a “rock version” of Rick Price’s 1992 hit, “Heaven Knows.”

The songs are reportedly generated through AI.

“Ito na ata ‘yung Heaven Knows rock version na galing sa TikTok, t*ng*na,” an online user commented.

“Nag-name drop sana. Lofi Town, eww,” said another user.

“Heaven Knows rock version, trending on TikTok, probably,” another X user wrote.

A look at Lofi Town’s Spotify account shows that it has over 247,000 monthly listeners and 5,311 followers, but no artist description.

The account credits “Renegade Ac Collins” as the composer and lyricist of the rock version of “Heaven Knows.” The original song, however, was performed by Australian singer-songwriter Rick Price, and he has no rock version of it.

The song’s original composers are Rick and Heather Field.

Meanwhile, other X users pointed out another Spotify artist, “Skate Avenue PH,” which also posts rock covers of songs. Its artist description reads: “Turning your favorite hits into punk rock energy.”

“Si Skate Ave PH ‘to, no? Andun sa Spotify e. ‘Di din ata nag-process ng Cover License,” an X user asked.

Others criticized the music streaming platform, urging it to be more discerning.

“Music is ART. AI-generated songs [or] covers are NOT ART.
@Spotify, do better and ban that piece of crap! We are paying to compensate REAL artists, not AI,” a user wrote.

Interaksyon has reached out to Spotify Philippines for comment.

Meanwhile, online services exist that allow users to generate music using AI.

Last July, CNBC reported on AI-generated bands “going viral on streaming platforms,” noting that it has “sparked concerns across the music industry over copyright issues and human replacement.”

“Aside from calling for better copyright protections for artists when it comes to the training of AI, music organizations are asking that AI-generated songs be labeled as such,” the report said.

The report added that CNBC reached out to Spotify “regarding its generative AI detection and labeling policies,” but the platform “did not respond.”(J. Malasig/Interskyon).