The Velvet Sundown: How an AI Band Fooled Millions on Spotify

The Velvet Sundown, a seemingly authentic country-folk group, took Spotify by storm with over a million streams before listeners learned the shocking truth: the band was entirely AI-generated. From their music to their compelling backstory, every aspect was crafted by artificial intelligence.
Listeners were captivated by two full albums, Floating On Echoes and Dust And Silence, both released without arousing suspicion. The group’s image and sound convinced many they were enjoying the work of real musicians.
The secret unraveled when an insider exposed that Suno, a generative AI platform, was behind the entire project. The band’s representatives initially denied the claims, but mounting evidence forced them to admit the truth on social media.
The incident has sparked a debate about the need for transparency in streaming platforms. Music industry leaders are pushing for clear labeling of AI-generated content to maintain trust and authenticity in digital music.