Renowned playback singer Sonu Nigam has shared his profound thoughts on the rapidly growing influence of Artificial Intelligence in the music industry, emphasizing that technology must serve as a creative aid rather than a replacement for human artistry. This perspective comes at a time when an AI-generated version of the late Kishore Kumar's voice recently went viral, sparking intense debate among artists and music lovers across India.
Sonu Nigam's Stance on AI in Music
In a recent candid conversation, the celebrated vocalist addressed the controversial topic of AI recreating the legendary voices of Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi. Sonu Nigam firmly stated that "AI should be treated as an assistant, not as your boss." He elaborated on this viewpoint, describing AI as a valuable tool that can support and enhance creativity but must never supersede the essential human element that gives music its authentic soul and emotional depth.
The singer's comments gain particular significance following the viral AI rendition of 'Saiyaara' that featured what sounded like Kishore Kumar's voice, originally performed by Arslan Nizami, Faheem Abdullah, and Tanishk Bagchi. While some audiences found the technological experiment fascinating, fellow playback singer Shaan described it as "cruel" and "wrong," highlighting the divided opinions within the music community regarding AI's ethical boundaries.
A Prestigious Honor: The 40th Lata Mangeshkar Award
Beyond the AI discussion, Sonu Nigam reflected on receiving one of Indian music's most distinguished honors. The 52-year-old singer was presented with the 40th Lata Mangeshkar Award on September 29 this year. While acknowledging that awards generally represent "gifts" rather than definitive measures of an artist's worth, Nigam expressed that this particular recognition held exceptional meaning for him.
He described the experience as feeling like "getting a pat on the back" from his guru and characterized the award as "a sign of encouragement and blessing." The accomplished vocalist, who recently performed in Kashmir as part of a seven-city tour, conveyed that the Lata Mangeshkar Award felt genuinely special amid his ongoing musical journey.
Evolution of Indian Playback Singing
Nigam, who recently released his new single 'Kahani Meri'—a creative fusion of Hindustani and Carnatic music styles—also shared his observations about the current state of Indian playback singing. He described the track as "my gift to myself and to my listeners" and offered an optimistic outlook on the industry's transformation.
"The music industry, especially film music, is evolving at a tremendous pace," Nigam observed. He expressed appreciation for the continuous influx of "new and incredibly talented composers, lyricists, and singers" who bring refreshing energy to the musical landscape each year, thereby maintaining the industry's vibrant and exciting character.
As technology continues to reshape creative fields, Sonu Nigam's insights provide a balanced perspective that acknowledges AI's potential while firmly upholding the irreplaceable value of human emotion and soul in artistic expression.
