Blab Tech
Gareth Emery Launches AI-Free Record Label After Criticizing Music-Training Models
In a headline‑grabbing move that underscores the growing friction between human artistry and machine learning, British trance DJ Gareth Emery announced on social media that he is founding Emotional Intelligence Records—a label dedicated entirely to human‑made music and artwork. The imprint, operating under the LSR/CITY umbrella, will debut with Emery’s own single, “Burn It Down,” and the pre‑save link is now live.
Emery’s announcement follows a pointed critique of AI music generators that he claims have been trained on his catalog. In his post, the veteran DJ warned that the wave of synthetic “fake artists” and cloned voices threatens the authenticity of the industry, arguing that unchecked AI output could drown out genuine human creativity.
His comments arrive amid a wider debate over the use of copyrighted recordings as training data for AI models. In 2024, Sony Music, Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group collectively filed lawsuits against AI platforms Suno and Udio, alleging that the companies used large swaths of their catalogs without permission. The legal action has highlighted the absence of clear precedent regarding whether training AI on copyrighted music falls under fair use.
Industry observers note that tools such as Soundraw—marketed as training exclusively on in‑house compositions—and other text‑to‑audio generators have surged in popularity. Yet the rise of synthetic voice cloning has intensified concerns about AI’s ability to replicate artists’ vocal styles without consent.
Emery’s stance is rooted in a career that spans 18 years in the trance and progressive house scenes. He has released four studio albums, including the recent “100 Reasons to Live,” and has earned the A State of Trance Tune of the Year award three times. His reputation as one of Britain’s most influential trance producers lends weight to his warning.
In his social‑media post, Emery wrote that “the magic of electronic music lies in its soul, not its perfection.” He emphasized that imperfections in human‑made work serve as proof of a creator’s presence and that he intends to “fight to preserve that.” The launch of Emotional Intelligence Records is described as a “small corner of the internet where everything will be AI‑free, human‑made music (and artwork too).”
The label’s debut single, “Burn It Down,” is available for pre‑save, and Emery noted that the release is unlikely to receive mainstream industry support. He urged fans to back the project by pre‑saving the track, stating that each pre‑save “counts.”
Emery’s initiative reflects a growing segment of artists wary of AI’s encroachment on creative ownership. While some AI platforms offer royalty‑free music for content creators, others have faced criticism for using copyrighted material in their training datasets. Legal developments such as the Suno and Udio lawsuits may shape the future of AI music generation, but no definitive ruling has yet been issued.
As the industry grapples with the balance between technological innovation and artistic integrity, Emery’s launch of Emotional Intelligence Records stands as a clear statement in favor of human‑driven creativity. The label’s first release is scheduled for early 2027, and Emery has indicated plans to sign additional artists who share his commitment to preserving the emotional core of music.
The current situation remains uncertain. While legal challenges against AI training data continue, no settlement has been reached, and regulatory bodies have not issued new guidelines specific to AI music. Emery’s initiative may influence other artists to consider similar paths, but the broader impact on the streaming economy and the prevalence of AI‑generated content will depend on forthcoming court decisions and industry responses.
Emery’s announcement follows a pointed critique of AI music generators that he claims have been trained on his catalog. In his post, the veteran DJ warned that the wave of synthetic “fake artists” and cloned voices threatens the authenticity of the industry, arguing that unchecked AI output could drown out genuine human creativity.
His comments arrive amid a wider debate over the use of copyrighted recordings as training data for AI models. In 2024, Sony Music, Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group collectively filed lawsuits against AI platforms Suno and Udio, alleging that the companies used large swaths of their catalogs without permission. The legal action has highlighted the absence of clear precedent regarding whether training AI on copyrighted music falls under fair use.
Industry observers note that tools such as Soundraw—marketed as training exclusively on in‑house compositions—and other text‑to‑audio generators have surged in popularity. Yet the rise of synthetic voice cloning has intensified concerns about AI’s ability to replicate artists’ vocal styles without consent.
Emery’s stance is rooted in a career that spans 18 years in the trance and progressive house scenes. He has released four studio albums, including the recent “100 Reasons to Live,” and has earned the A State of Trance Tune of the Year award three times. His reputation as one of Britain’s most influential trance producers lends weight to his warning.
In his social‑media post, Emery wrote that “the magic of electronic music lies in its soul, not its perfection.” He emphasized that imperfections in human‑made work serve as proof of a creator’s presence and that he intends to “fight to preserve that.” The launch of Emotional Intelligence Records is described as a “small corner of the internet where everything will be AI‑free, human‑made music (and artwork too).”
The label’s debut single, “Burn It Down,” is available for pre‑save, and Emery noted that the release is unlikely to receive mainstream industry support. He urged fans to back the project by pre‑saving the track, stating that each pre‑save “counts.”
Emery’s initiative reflects a growing segment of artists wary of AI’s encroachment on creative ownership. While some AI platforms offer royalty‑free music for content creators, others have faced criticism for using copyrighted material in their training datasets. Legal developments such as the Suno and Udio lawsuits may shape the future of AI music generation, but no definitive ruling has yet been issued.
As the industry grapples with the balance between technological innovation and artistic integrity, Emery’s launch of Emotional Intelligence Records stands as a clear statement in favor of human‑driven creativity. The label’s first release is scheduled for early 2027, and Emery has indicated plans to sign additional artists who share his commitment to preserving the emotional core of music.
The current situation remains uncertain. While legal challenges against AI training data continue, no settlement has been reached, and regulatory bodies have not issued new guidelines specific to AI music. Emery’s initiative may influence other artists to consider similar paths, but the broader impact on the streaming economy and the prevalence of AI‑generated content will depend on forthcoming court decisions and industry responses.
