Drake and The Weeknd AI Song ‘Not’ Eligible For Grammy, Says Recording Academy CEO
Drake and The Weeknd’s AI-generated track, “Heart On My Sleeve,” will not be eligible for Grammy consideration, as clarified by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. via Instagram on Friday (September 8). The decision came after initial confusion regarding the song’s eligibility.
In his Instagram post, Mason emphasized the reasons behind the ineligibility of the track. He explained that while the song was created by a human creator, the vocals used were not legally obtained, not cleared by the label or the artists involved, and the song was not commercially available. These factors collectively rendered it ineligible for Grammy consideration.
Mason expressed his commitment to supporting, advocating for, protecting, and representing human artists and creators within the music industry. He highlighted the importance of adhering to these principles, especially in a rapidly evolving music landscape.
“Heart On My Sleeve” was composed and arranged by Ghostwriter, who utilized artificial intelligence to simulate the vocals of Drake and The Weeknd, without their official approval. The song was originally posted on YouTube in mid-April and later made available for streaming on platforms like Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, and Spotify, where it gained substantial attention.
The controversy surrounding the song’s Grammy eligibility initially arose when Mason stated that it was eligible due to its human composition. However, this stance was later reversed, leading to clarity on the matter.
The song had been submitted for Grammy consideration in the Best Rap Song and Song of the Year categories, both of which focus on writing and composition rather than performance. Despite its divisive presence in the music industry, the track has garnered attention and debate, especially in discussions about the role of AI in music creation.
Young Guru, a prominent figure in the music industry, expressed his disapproval of “Heart On My Sleeve” being considered for potential Grammy awards, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding AI’s impact on music creation.
Watch Mason Jr.’s statement below:
