The major labels of the hashtag#musicbiz are about to ride the AI wave.

It’s starting to look like AI fits the same pattern we saw with CDs, Napster, iTunes, and Spotify: labels fought them first, then integrated them into their business models. A related news piece:

https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/universal-music-settles-udio-lawsuit-strikes-deal-for-licensed-ai-music-platform/.

Backdrop in short, the music business is based on intellectual property rights for songs and recordings. Each company’s IP forms its so-called “catalog.” The size and strength of the catalog define their market share.

I think we’re living through a paradigm shift that will redefine what a “music catalog” means. With AI, traditionally fixed music libraries are becoming infinite libraries of potential works derived from artists’ original tracks or voices. Algorithmically generated remixes, reimaginings, mashups, style-transfer tracks… you name it–all legally wrapped under the label’s control.

When each artist’s style and voice become IP assets that can be licensed, extended, or remixed, the label’s role shifts from publisher of songs to controller of sound models. New revenue streams (AI remixes, fan co-creations, interactive experiences) are treated like derivative works of the original catalog.

This could become a dream scenario for labels–AI output as an extension of catalog value.

There’s a potential caveat (I haven’t modeled): if fans spend attention on endless AI-generated versions, streams of the original tracks could drop. Suno and similar tools are becoming consumption platforms, not just creation tools.

Infinite AI output is here to stay—but fenced and monetized if labels have their way.

Turning artists’ voices and sounds into commodities that can be manipulated pushes artist brands into new territory. Pay a monthly subscription, and you could reimagine an entire career’s worth of music for a current superstar. Will we see more artist–fan collaborations–as someone, somewhere, imagines a “better” track with AI than the artist ever could?

This economic model encourages the commodification of style itself. The idea and value of originality in popular music will change.

So the artist’s “voice” becomes a generative instrument, and catalogs become alive, mutable, and endless–but owned.

hashtag#musicbusiness hashtag#musictech hashtag#AI hashtag#copyright hashtag#catalog