Tokenizing Tunes: AI-Generated Songs and Blockchain-Powered Royalties

by DerDerDer | Jan 4, 2025 | AI, Blockchain, Tokenization, Tools

Tokenizing Tunes: AI-Generated Songs and Blockchain-Powered Royalties

The music industry has always been a fertile ground for innovation, from the phonograph to digital streaming. Today, a new frontier is emerging: the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology. Together, they are reshaping the way music is created, distributed, and monetized. This article explores how AI is generating songs and how blockchain is enabling fair and transparent royalty systems through tokenization.

AI-Generated Songs: Creativity Meets Technology

AI’s ability to analyze and replicate human creativity has reached impressive heights in the music world. By using deep learning algorithms and vast datasets of musical compositions, AI can now compose original songs in various genres, from classical to EDM. Platforms like OpenAI’s MuseNet and AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist) have become pioneers in this space.

Personalized Music Creation
AI-generated music allows users to create personalized soundtracks tailored to specific moods, events, or even individual tastes. For instance, an AI engine can compose music for a wedding, gaming session, or workout routine in real time.
Collaborative Innovation
Many artists are using AI as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement. Musicians input their ideas, and AI suggests complementary melodies, harmonies, or rhythms, enhancing creativity and speeding up production.
Democratizing Music Creation
By lowering the technical and financial barriers to entry, AI empowers independent artists and enthusiasts to create professional-quality music without expensive equipment or years of training.

Blockchain-Powered Royalties: Solving Age-Old Problems

The music industry has long struggled with issues of royalty distribution and intellectual property rights. Blockchain, with its decentralized and transparent ledger system, offers innovative solutions.

Tokenization of Music Rights
Blockchain allows songs or albums to be tokenized into non-fungible tokens (NFTs), representing ownership and usage rights. These tokens can be easily traded, sold, or licensed on blockchain platforms, providing clear and enforceable terms of ownership.
Real-Time Royalty Distribution
Smart contracts on the blockchain ensure that royalties are distributed instantly and fairly. Every time a song is streamed, downloaded, or used commercially, the smart contract automatically allocates payments to the rightful owners, whether they are artists, producers, or lyricists.
Direct Artist-to-Fan Transactions
By bypassing traditional intermediaries like record labels and distributors, artists can engage directly with their fans. Platforms such as Audius and Royal enable musicians to sell tokenized music directly, fostering a closer connection while retaining a larger share of revenue.

The Synergy Between AI and Blockchain

When combined, AI and blockchain unlock even greater potential for the music industry:

AI-Powered Licensing
AI can analyze music usage across platforms and track unauthorized use, while blockchain ensures that rights holders are compensated for every use case.
Enhanced Customization Through Tokenization
Fans can purchase tokenized rights to specific versions of songs or custom AI-generated remixes, creating a unique and interactive musical experience.
Crowdsourcing Creativity
Blockchain-based platforms can tokenize AI-generated music, allowing fans to co-own and profit from their favorite tracks. This creates a new paradigm where listeners become stakeholders in the success of an artist’s work.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the opportunities are immense, challenges remain:

Ethical Concerns
As AI-generated music proliferates, questions arise about intellectual property. Who owns an AI-composed song—the creator of the AI, the user, or the AI itself?
Adoption Hurdles
For blockchain-powered royalties to become widespread, major players in the music industry must adopt these technologies. Resistance from traditional stakeholders may slow progress.
Regulation and Standards
As with any emerging technology, regulatory frameworks and industry standards will need to evolve to address these new dynamics.

The Road Ahead

The fusion of AI and blockchain is not just a technological evolution but a cultural shift. It democratizes access to music creation and monetization while addressing long-standing issues of fairness and transparency. Artists and fans alike stand to benefit from these innovations.

As these technologies continue to mature, we may soon see a music industry that is more equitable, efficient, and artist-centric. Whether you’re a listener, creator, or investor, the future of tokenized tunes promises to be as exciting as the music itself. 🎶

By embracing the dual power of AI and blockchain, the music industry is embarking on a journey to redefine its core principles. From the way songs are born to how they reach our ears, these technologies are transforming the essence of music in the digital age.

Top Tools Using AI to Create Copyright-Free Music

by DerDerDer | Jan 4, 2025 | AI, Internet Culture, Tools

Top Tools Using AI to Create Copyright-Free Music

The demand for royalty-free music is higher than ever, thanks to the boom in content creation for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and podcasts. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized music creation, enabling users to generate high-quality, copyright-free tracks without the need for professional composers or expensive software. Here’s a look at the top AI-powered tools for creating royalty-free music.

1. AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist)

Website: aiva.ai
AIVA is a leading AI composer designed for creating royalty-free music in a wide variety of styles, including classical, pop, and cinematic scores.

Features:
- Generates original compositions based on predefined styles or user input.
- Offers MIDI file export for further editing in digital audio workstations (DAWs).
- Ideal for soundtracks in films, games, and commercials.
Why It Stands Out:
AIVA provides both fully composed tracks and editable layers, giving creators flexibility to tweak their music.

2. Soundraw

Website: soundraw.io
Soundraw specializes in helping content creators generate custom music that fits their specific needs.

Features:
- Allows users to adjust tempo, mood, and instruments in real-time.
- Generates tracks that adapt to the desired length of your video or project.
- Includes a vast library of royalty-free, AI-generated music.
Why It Stands Out:
Soundraw’s interactive customization makes it one of the most user-friendly platforms for creating personalized tracks.

3. Amper Music

Website: ampermusic.com
Amper Music is a powerful AI tool aimed at both beginners and professionals looking to create royalty-free music quickly.

Features:
- Offers intuitive tools to customize tracks based on mood, genre, and instrumentation.
- Exports high-quality audio files in multiple formats.
- Built-in library of professionally crafted sounds.
Why It Stands Out:
Amper’s simplicity and speed make it a favorite for creators who need music on the fly.

4. Ecrett Music

Website: ecrettmusic.com
Ecrett Music is perfect for those who need copyright-free music for videos, games, or podcasts.

Features:
- Offers pre-designed templates for various content types (e.g., travel vlogs, cooking videos).
- Allows users to save and manage their generated tracks in a personal library.
- Easy-to-use interface with no prior music knowledge required.
Why It Stands Out:
Ecrett Music’s content-specific templates make it ideal for creators who want music tailored to specific themes.

5. Boomy

Website: boomy.com
Boomy empowers anyone to create original songs and publish them to streaming platforms.

Features:
- Offers a wide range of music genres, from lo-fi to EDM.
- Allows users to monetize their creations by releasing them on platforms like Spotify.
- Generates full-length songs in minutes.
Why It Stands Out:
Boomy blends AI music creation with the ability to earn royalties, making it a great choice for aspiring independent artists.

6. Jukedeck (Acquired by TikTok)

Website: Integrated into TikTok
Jukedeck was one of the first platforms to harness AI for music creation. While the standalone platform is no longer available, its technology is integrated into TikTok’s music features.

Features:
- Auto-generates music based on selected moods and genres.
- Seamless integration with TikTok for short-form content creators.
Why It Stands Out:
Jukedeck set the foundation for AI-driven music creation and continues to influence TikTok’s creative tools.

7. Magenta by Google

Website: magenta.tensorflow.org
Magenta is an open-source research project exploring how AI can generate art and music.

Features:
- Offers tools like NSynth and DrumBot for creating original sounds.
- Designed for experimentation with music and art generation.
- Includes open-source code for developers.
Why It Stands Out:
Magenta is perfect for tech-savvy creators looking to experiment with the intersection of AI and music.

8. AIVA Generative Audio Engine

Website: aiva.audio
This AI engine provides composers with tools to generate original tracks for a variety of use cases.

Features:
- Tailored for commercial use, offering copyright-free music for advertisements.
- Integration with DAWs for seamless workflow.
- Advanced customization options for professional results.
Why It Stands Out:
AIVA is a robust choice for professionals seeking advanced control over their compositions.

9. Loudly

Website: loudly.com
Loudly combines AI with an extensive music library for creators needing background tracks.

Features:
- AI music generator that adapts tracks to video content.
- Access to thousands of pre-made royalty-free tracks.
- Customizable music generation tools.
Why It Stands Out:
Loudly focuses on content creators, providing music that syncs effortlessly with videos.

10. Melodrive

Website: melodrive.com
Melodrive is an AI music engine designed for interactive and immersive experiences.

Features:
- Generates music that adapts in real-time to gameplay or app interactions.
- Perfect for video game developers and VR experiences.
- Offers seamless integration into apps and games.
Why It Stands Out:
Melodrive’s dynamic adaptability makes it a favorite for developers in the gaming and VR industries.

Final Thoughts

AI-powered tools are revolutionizing the music industry, democratizing access to high-quality, copyright-free music. Whether you’re a content creator, an independent artist, or a game developer, these tools offer innovative solutions for all your musical needs. By leveraging these platforms, you can create unique and engaging audio experiences without worrying about copyright infringement or complex licensing fees.

The future of music creation is here, and it’s powered by AI. 🎶

10 Fun and Interesting Musical Facts

by DerDerDer | Jan 1, 2025 | Fun Facts, Music History, Musical Talent, Musical Trivia

Here are 10 fun and interesting musical facts:

The Oldest Known Song
The oldest surviving piece of written music is the Hurrian Hymn No. 6, which dates back over 3,400 years to ancient Mesopotamia. It was written in cuneiform on clay tablets.
Mozart’s Early Talent
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his first piece of music at the age of 5 and wrote over 600 compositions in his lifetime.
Beethoven’s Hearing Loss
Despite being almost completely deaf, Ludwig van Beethoven composed some of his greatest works, including the iconic 9th Symphony, by feeling the vibrations of the piano.
Longest Official Song Title
The song with the longest official title is “I’m a Cranky Old Yank in a Clanky Old Tank on the Streets of Yokohama with My Honolulu Mama Doing Those Beat-o, Beat-o Flat-On-My-Seat-o, Hirohito Blues” by Hoagy Carmichael.
The World’s Largest Orchestra
The largest orchestra ever assembled had 8,097 musicians in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2019, setting a Guinness World Record.
Vinyl’s Groove Length
If you uncoiled the grooves of a standard vinyl record, they would stretch out to approximately 1,500 feet, or nearly a third of a mile!
Music and Heartbeats
Your heartbeat can synchronize with the tempo of music, which is why certain songs can make you feel energized or relaxed depending on their speed.
The Beatles’ Global Impact
The Beatles hold the record for the most number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart—with 20 songs reaching the top spot.
Cats and Music
Studies have shown that cats enjoy music specifically composed for them, featuring tempos and pitches similar to their vocal range and heart rates.
First Recorded Song
The first-ever recorded song was “Au Clair de la Lune”, captured by Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville in 1860 on a device called the phonautograph. It predates Thomas Edison’s phonograph recordings.

Enjoy sharing these musical tidbits! 🎶

The Piano Phantom: Skateboarder in Hoodie Stuns Public with Heartfelt Rendition of Schindler’s List

by DerDerDer | Nov 1, 2024 | Musical Talent, Public Art, Street Performances

Piano Phantom: Skateboarder in Hoodie Stuns Public with Heartfelt Rendition of Schindler’s List

In the middle of a bustling city square, passersby were treated to an unexpected and emotional performance. A young skateboarder, dressed in a simple hoodie and effortlessly gliding across the square, suddenly stopped by an outdoor piano. The crowd watched in curiosity as this mystery musician, who soon became known as the “Piano Phantom,” sat down and began to play. Within moments, the haunting, soul-stirring theme of Schindler’s List filled the air, capturing the attention of everyone around.

Skateboarder in hoodie amazes public with sublime piano music

The performance was as visually striking as it was musically masterful. With his hood up and face partially obscured, the Piano Phantom didn’t fit the image of a traditional musician. His unassuming streetwear, the skateboard by his side, and the quiet focus he maintained made the whole scene almost cinematic. It was as though he had emerged from the crowd, a ghostly figure bridging the everyday with the extraordinary. And the music—delicate yet deeply evocative—seemed to flow effortlessly from his fingertips, resonating with the themes of hope and sorrow inherent in John Williams’ iconic score.

The Mystery of the Piano Phantom

There was something almost surreal about the moment. People stopped in their tracks, phones came out to capture the scene, and a hush fell over the crowd as the music unfolded. It wasn’t just the sheer talent that left the audience in awe, but the juxtaposition of the skater’s casual look with the profound music he played. Schindler’s List is one of the most heart-wrenching pieces in cinema history, and here it was, performed with grace and skill by a young musician who looked like he might otherwise be out cruising the streets.

This “Piano Phantom” didn’t speak, and he didn’t seem interested in applause. He simply shared a moment of beauty with the people around him, leaving many wondering who he was and where he had come from. His anonymity only deepened the allure. While the crowd grew, he remained fully absorbed in the music, expressing a quiet intensity that resonated with those who stopped to listen.

A Growing Crowd and Unforgettable Moments

As he continued to play, more people gathered. Strangers shared smiles and nods, and some even shed tears, moved by the unexpected poignancy of the performance. The contrast of his humble attire with the elegance of his playing created a sense of connection with the audience. He could have been anyone—a regular person with a hidden talent—reminding everyone that beauty can come from the most unexpected places.

When the final note faded, there was a pause, a collective breath before the crowd erupted into applause. Some lingered, hoping to speak with him, but he offered only a brief smile, then picked up his skateboard and drifted off, leaving his audience in wonder.

The Legacy of Spontaneous Art in Public Spaces

This Piano Phantom in a hoodie gave more than just a performance; he created an experience, an unexpected reminder of the power of art to connect us. There’s a growing trend of musicians bringing their talents into public spaces, and this performance exemplifies the unique value they bring to our daily lives. The skateboarder’s choice of Schindler’s List was a powerful statement, underscoring the idea that you don’t need a concert hall or a tuxedo to move people with music. Sometimes, all it takes is a piano, a hoodie, and the willingness to share something real.

For the lucky crowd that witnessed this moment, it was more than just a song; it was a memory, a glimpse into the heart of a young artist who used his skills to create something sublime. The Piano Phantom may have disappeared back into the city streets, but his music and the wonder he inspired linger on in the hearts of those who stopped to listen.

Crazy Frog: The Viral Legacy of a Hilarious Musical Icon

by DerDerDer | Nov 1, 2024 | Comedy Music, Internet Culture, Viral Music Videos

Crazy Frog: The Viral Legacy of a Hilarious Musical Icon

When it comes to quirky internet sensations, few have left as memorable a mark as Crazy Frog. From its high-pitched “ring ding ding” sounds to the bizarre yet catchy tunes, Crazy Frog’s “Funny Song” video has become a legendary part of internet culture. Originally debuting as a ringtone sensation, this animated amphibian quickly took over the music charts and won fans worldwide. The YouTube video, available here, showcases all the energy and zaniness that made Crazy Frog an instant icon.

Crazy Frog – Funny Song (Official Video)

The Origin of Crazy Frog’s Humor

Crazy Frog wasn’t initially intended to be a superstar. Created by Swedish actor and playwright Erik Wernquist, the character began as “The Annoying Thing” – a cheeky concept to add an amusing sound effect to videos. But this bizarre, bug-eyed creature rapidly caught on, especially with the younger crowd, leading to chart-topping hits and unforgettable music videos.

Breaking Down the “Funny Song”

The “Funny Song” embodies everything we’ve come to love about Crazy Frog: a blend of techno beats, chaotic sound effects, and slapstick animation that keeps viewers laughing. The video features Crazy Frog zipping through surreal landscapes, chasing after various objects, and engaging in hilarious antics that turn a typical music video into an animated comedy sketch. Its light-hearted and nonsensical approach to music and visuals creates an experience that’s as amusing as it is unique.

The Legacy of Crazy Frog

While some may write Crazy Frog off as a simple novelty act, its impact on internet and music culture is undeniable. Crazy Frog introduced millions to the world of viral music videos long before social media became mainstream. The character’s music, videos, and animations all played a role in shaping early internet memes, influencing how music and humor intersect online.

Why Crazy Frog Still Resonates Today

Years after its peak, Crazy Frog maintains a place in internet history and continues to attract viewers looking for a dose of nostalgia and laughter. The “Funny Song” video reminds us that music can be silly, playful, and still engaging. It’s not about a profound message but about the joy of absurdity and the infectious power of fun.

So, whether you’re discovering Crazy Frog for the first time or revisiting it, take a moment to enjoy the wild ride. Sometimes, a little humor is just what the world needs—and Crazy Frog delivers it, one “ding ding” at a time.

Crazy Frog’s charm and humor have left a lasting impression, showing us that music, no matter how unconventional, can create happiness and laughter for audiences of all ages.

Unforgettable Moment: Gary Clark Jr. Brings Die-Hard Fan On Stage at Sold-Out Philly Show

by DerDerDer | Nov 1, 2024 | Concert Highlights, Fan Experiences, Live Music Moments

Unforgettable Moment: Gary Clark Jr. Brings Die-Hard Fan On Stage at Sold-Out Philly Show

During a recent sold-out show at The Met in Philadelphia, blues-rock powerhouse Gary Clark Jr. gave fans an unforgettable surprise. Midway through his electrifying set, he spotted a die-hard fan in the crowd, someone who had clearly been pouring their heart into every lyric and riff from the audience. In a spontaneous and thrilling move, Clark invited the fan up on stage to perform alongside him, igniting an ecstatic response from the crowd.

Gary Clark Jr and a lucky fan perform catfish blues. He Kills it!!

Under the intense stage lights, the fan joined Clark in a raw, soulful performance, showcasing their own passion for the music. Together, they filled the iconic venue with a unique blend of energy, blurring the line between fan and artist in a powerful way that left the audience cheering. Clark’s generosity and willingness to share the spotlight underscored his connection with his fans, making the night one that neither the fan nor the audience will soon forget. The Met pulsed with energy, proving that live music can create truly magical, once-in-a-lifetime moments.