‘We Are AI’: AI Rock Band’s Rise Highlights Growing Concern Over Fake Content in Malaysia
Image credit: The Velvet Sundown/Facebook
At first glance, It looked and sounded like a real band.
Earlier this month, a group called The Velvet Sundown became popular on music streaming platforms, attracting over one million monthly listeners. Their songs had a nostalgic rock sound, complete with emotional vocals and vintage-style album covers. Many people believed they were a talented group making a strong comeback.
Then came the surprise.
The group revealed that everything about them was generated using artificial intelligence. The voices, the instruments, the lyrics, and even the band member photos were all created using AI technology. There were no actual musicians involved.
This revelation did not cause the issue, but it became one of the clearest examples of how AI-generated content can appear convincingly real. It also reflects why conversations around fake content are becoming more common in Malaysia, especially as similar technologies are used to create misleading videos and images across social media platforms.
Image credit: The Velvet Sundown/X
The Velvet Sundown’s music was created using Suno AI, a platform that allows users to generate full-length songs by typing in simple prompts. No instruments, vocals, or production skills were required. The creators presented the project as an experiment in creativity, and it quickly gained worldwide attention after going viral on music streaming platforms. Although the band later revealed its artificial origins, their songs remained available on Spotify at the time of reporting.
Image Credit: The Velvet Sundown/Spotify Screenshot
While some listeners appreciated the creative experiment, others felt uneasy. The band’s identity as AI-generated had not been clear from the start. This raised bigger questions: Should audiences be told when content is created by machines? Should AI-made music be treated differently?
The Velvet Sundown case has also drawn attention from music professionals worldwide. Some insiders have warned that listeners may not always be able to tell the difference between real and artificial music, especially when the sound quality is convincing. They believe clearer labelling is important not only to protect audiences, but also to ensure real musicians are not pushed out of the spotlight.
Image credit: The Velvet Sundown/Facebook
As more AI tools become accessible, the line between genuine and artificial is expected to become less obvious. Music, video, writing, and even human-like images can now be created instantly with just a few words. This makes it more important than ever for platforms and content creators to be honest about how their material is made.
Being informed allows audiences to enjoy what they see and hear while understanding what is behind it. AI can be a tool for creativity, but it should not be used to mislead. Awareness and transparency will help everyone navigate this new digital space with more confidence.
Read the original report on The Velvet Sundown from The Guardian.
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