Image credit: Universal Music Group via Variety. Source
Universal Music Group and ElevenLabs have struck an expansive licensing deal that will put an AI-powered music platform on top of UMG’s artist catalog. The companies say fans will be able to remix and mash up tracks, generate new interpretations, and build personalized vocal experiences — with artists and songwriters meant to share in the economics.
UMG chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge framed the partnership as part of a broader push for “responsible AI” that deepens fan engagement without cutting creators out of the upside. ElevenLabs co-founder and CEO Mati Staniszewski said the combination of UMG’s rights infrastructure and ElevenLabs’ audio models is meant to keep compensation attached to those new experiences.
The announcement landed a day after Suno rolled out label-backed models tied to Warner Music Group, Believe, and BMG. Variety notes that UMG’s ElevenLabs pact differs from earlier UMG AI collaborations such as Hook and Udio because it centers on building a new platform rather than plugging into an existing generator alone. UMG and Sony remain in U.S. litigation with Suno over alleged copyright infringement.
ElevenLabs, best known for voice and character licensing, raised $500 million earlier this year at an $11 billion valuation and has already released volumes of “The Eleven Album,” including collaborations with singers such as Liza Minnelli and Art Garfunkel alongside AI-assisted compositions.