ElevenLabs launches AI service for creating music with a commercial license

ElevenLabs has announced a new service called Eleven Music for generating music using artificial intelligence. The created compositions can be used in commercial projects without paying royalties.

The service is text-based and can generate songs with vocals and lyrics. Users can enter prompts like "create a smooth jazz song with a ‘60s vibe and powerful lyrics, but relaxing for a Friday afternoon." The music generation takes just a few minutes.

The company has been testing the platform for some time. According to The Wall Street Journal, 20 clients have had access to the model and are using it to create content for movies, TV shows, video games and apps. ElevenLabs is not disclosing their names.

To train the model, the company has signed deals with two digital rights agencies — Merlin Network and Kobalt Music Group, which represent smaller music labels. ElevenLabs co-founder and CEO Mati Staniszewski said he aims to bring in major labels in the future.

"The model is strictly created on data that we have access to," Staniszewski emphasized.

This is important because other music generation platforms, such as Suno and Udio, are facing lawsuits over alleged use of copyrighted works.

By the way, AI music has been experiencing a real boom lately. The completely artificial "band" Velvet Sundown has gained millions of streams on Spotify, although it remains unclear whether this success was due to real listeners' affection or simple curiosity.

ElevenLabs is best known for its voice generation technology. The service even found itself in a scandal when it was used to imitate Joe Biden's voice in spam calls urging voters not to participate in the primaries.