Universal Music Group Partners with ElevenLabs for Fan-Facing AI Remix Tools
Universal Music Group has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with AI audio firm ElevenLabs to build a new music platform that lets fans co-create, remix, and mash up tracks from participating artists. The collaboration also aims to develop additional AI audio products for songwriters and performers, though it excludes ElevenLabs' existing ElevenMusic app and Music EPI API. The announcement follows a similar partnership between Suno and major labels announced the previous day.
The partnership centers on creating a new fan-facing platform rather than integrating with ElevenLabs' existing music tools. The agreement explicitly excludes the ElevenMusic app and the Music EPI API, indicating a distinct development path focused on licensed tracks and artist participation.
This announcement arrives one day after Suno launched its v6 models, trained on music from Warner, Believe, and BMG. Notably, Universal and Sony still face litigation with Suno, while ElevenLabs has previously secured licensing deals with Merlin, Kobalt, and SourceAudio.
This collaboration could reshape fan engagement by making authorized remixing accessible, potentially offering artists new revenue streams while giving listeners creative agency. However, it may also intensify debates over AI's role in music, as major labels navigate licensing deals alongside ongoing lawsuits. The success of such platforms could set a precedent for how the industry balances technological innovation with copyright protection, affecting both established performers and emerging songwriters who must decide whether to participate.