Meng Ru Kuok, CEO & Founder, Caldecott Music Group and CEO of BandLab Technologies, and Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group (UMG) and BandLab Technologies, parent company of social music creation platform BandLab, have announced plans for what they call “an expansive, industry-first strategic relationship concentrated on artificial intelligence”.
According to UMG, the partnership will be “centered on empowering the next generation of artists, including within BandLab’s global community”.
The statement adds that “the alliance will advance the companies’ shared commitment to [the] ethical use of AI and the protection of artist and songwriter rights”.
BandLab’s partnership with the world’s largest music rightsholder indicates a significant statement of intent for the Singapore-headquartered music technology firm. It also arrives at a pivotal time for the wider music industry amid the rise of AI use in music making.
The company’s powerful flagship music-making app BandLab, partly built on AI-driven tech, has attracted over 60 million registered users to date. It is claimed to be “the world’s largest social music creation platform”.
It also runs a tool called SongStarter that uses AI to allow users to generate musical “ideas”, including beats, melodies, and chord progressions, that can then be built upon via the main BandLab platform.
BandLab Technologies also recently hired AI music expert Drew Silverstein (the Co-founder and former CEO of AI-driven music platform Amper Music) as Senior Advisor, AI, Innovation, and Strategy.
Together, UMG and BandLab Technologies say that their two companies will “pioneer market-led solutions with pro-creator standards to ensure new technologies serve the creator community effectively and ethically”.
Today’s news marks Universal Music Group’s latest AI-related alliance. In August, YouTube and UMG formed a partnership that they say will jointly develop AI tools that offer “safe, responsible and profitable” opportunities to music rightsholders.
There are two key aspects to that partnership. First is a ‘Music AI Incubator’ at YouTube – a program by which new tools and innovations will be developed at the company in close conjunction with artists and the music biz. For now, this ‘Incubator’ is kicking off via a partnership between YouTube and UMG, incorporating feedback and guidance from UMG-signed talent.
The second major element of YouTube and UMG’s announcement was that, within and beyond YouTube’s AI ‘Incubator’ project, it is publicly committing to three principles/pledges that will guide its development of music-based generative AI tools in the future.
“We are excited to add BandLab Technologies to a growing list of UMG partners whose responsible and innovative AI will benefit the creative community.”
Commenting on the partnership with BandLab, Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Group, said: “We welcome BandLab’s commitment to an ethical approach to AI through their accessible technology, tools and platform.
“We are excited to add BandLab Technologies to a growing list of UMG partners whose responsible and innovative AI will benefit the creative community.”
“Given BandLab’s passion for music and their dedication to nurturing early-stage artistry at the nexus of ecosystem transformation, they are an excellent partner that is compelling for us on multiple fronts.”
Michael Nash, EVP and Chief Digital Officer, UMG added: “Meng Kuok and his team at BandLab Technologies, as well as the Caldecott Music Group network, have achieved impressive scale at the dynamic intersection of social music and creator technology innovation.
“At UMG, we constantly seek to empower and support both established and emerging artists. Given BandLab’s passion for music and their dedication to nurturing early-stage artistry at the nexus of ecosystem transformation, they are an excellent partner that is compelling for us on multiple fronts.
Added Nash: “This is more important than ever right now as AI assumes an increasingly prominent place in the evolution of music creation tools. We look forward to establishing new creative, marketing, and commercial opportunities for our artists and actively engaging with BandLab’s creator community through a highly synergistic structure, collectively protecting today’s and tomorrow’s future superstars through responsible approaches to utilization of AI in the creative process.”
“Through our joint efforts, we anticipate a future of music that is innovative, rewarding, and endlessly inspiring.”
Meng Ru Kuok, CEO & Founder, Caldecott Music Group and CEO of BandLab Technologies, said: “BandLab Technologies and our wider Caldecott Music Group network is steadfast in its respect for artists’ rights and the infinite potential of AI in music creation and we believe our millions of users around the world share in this commitment and excitement.
“Though new technologies offer unbelievable possibilities to break down more barriers for creators, it’s essential that artists’ and songwriters’ rights be fully respected and protected to give these future generations a chance of success.
“As demonstrated by BandLab embracing the Human Artistry Campaign principles and this collaboration with UMG, we are committed to getting it right. Through our joint efforts, we anticipate a future of music that is innovative, rewarding, and endlessly inspiring.”
For BandLab Technologies, today’s news arrives five months after it secured $25 million in a Series B1 funding round that raised the company valuation to $425 million post-money.
That latest investment followed the company’s successful Series B round in April 2022, where BandLab raised $65 million and achieved a post-money valuation of $315 million.
BandLab Technologies formed parent company Caldecott Music Group in 2021 to house three divisions: BandLab Technologies, Vista Musical Instruments, and NME Networks.Music Business Worldwide
