The growing use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the music industry has ignited a fierce debate, with legendary voices being cloned and reimagined in new songs. Singer Shaan has now added his powerful voice to the chorus of concern, strongly criticizing the trend of using AI to replicate the voices of late icons like Kishore Kumar, calling it a “cruel” and “unfair” practice.
The controversy gained momentum recently when a version of the song “Saiyaara” was created using AI tools to make it sound as if Kishore Kumar had sung it. The rendition went viral, gaining immense popularity and attention. However, for musicians like Shaan, such experiments are deeply disturbing.
The Misrepresentation of Artistry
In an interview with ANI, Shaan condemned the practice, arguing that it does not honor the legacy of these artists but rather distorts it. He pointed out that AI cannot replicate the dynamic nature of a singer’s voice and style, which evolved over different eras.
“I find this AI very cruel when they try to produce songs like ‘Yeh gaana agar Kishore da gaate, yeh gaana agar Mohammed Rafi gaate’ (If this song was sung by Kishore Kumar or Mohammed Rafi),” Shaan said. “What they sang in the 40s, what they sang in the 60s, and what they sang in the 80s were very different. So if they were singing today, it would again be very different.”
He further emphasized that replicating an artist’s tone from a few songs and applying it to new tracks is “wrong,” as it fails to capture the true essence and originality of their performances.
A Plea to the Audience
Addressing the viral “Saiyaara” track, Shaan expressed his frustration, calling it misleading and a disservice to both the artist and the audience. He urged the new generation to listen to the authentic work of Kishore Kumar, which “came out of his throat, came out of his sensibilities.”
“The audience is so silly, they’re even comparing it with them,” he said. “Do not listen to this. That is not fair, man. They should hear his songs that he has sung in his time… Yes. Do not listen to this.”
To honor Kishore Kumar’s legacy in a way he believes is truly meaningful, Shaan is preparing for his upcoming concert, “Forever Kishore Shaan Se.” Scheduled for September 19 at The Grand Theatre, NMACC in Mumbai, the event will be Shaan’s first full-scale live performance dedicated to the iconic singer who helped shape his own musical journey.