Music service DistroKid removes artists' AI tracks without warning
The service cites a claim from Universal Music Group, but artists say their original works are also being affected, writes The Verge.
DistroKid has begun mass-removing artists' tracks from streaming platforms without notice. The reason is a complaint filed by Universal Music Group (UMG) in September. The label accuses the service of creating a 'pipeline for AI-generated garbage,' but artists report that their original compositions are also being removed.
Musician McGwire said that six of his tracks disappeared, including a cover of Stevie Wonder’s 'Isn’t She Lovely,' which he released under license. Another song was removed due to an allegedly unauthorized sample, even though the track supposedly used was released two years after his composition. Reaching DistroKid’s support proved difficult: he first had to communicate with a bot and then wait for a live operator.
Rapper Insane Ian complained that his original song was deleted without explanation. Another musician, King Chase, reported that an entire album by an artist he worked with vanished from the platform. The album had been available for 3–4 years without issues and had never received any violation warnings.
A DistroKid representative, Vice President of Artist Relations Amanda Ferry, confirmed that the removals are linked to UMG’s claims. She emphasized that 'a very small number of recordings' were affected and that the company is contesting the label’s accusations. Meanwhile, DistroKid is attempting to minimize the impact on artists, allowing them to continue releasing new music.
Artists are outraged by the lack of transparency and the inability to appeal the removals. Many only discover their tracks have disappeared after the fact, and the service provides no clear explanations or mechanisms for contesting the decisions.