Deezer launches tool for fans to remix songs with artists’ OK
▼ Summary
– Deezer launched “Remix Lab,” a feature enabling fans to remix songs with artist and rights holder consent, with artists paid for each stream of remixed tracks.
– Remix Lab uses in-app tools like tempo adjustment and genre changes, unlike competitors such as YouTube and Spotify that rely on AI for remixes.
– Deezer has a strong anti-AI stance, actively removing AI-generated tracks from recommendations and editorial playlists, and analyzing playlists to detect them.
– The feature is initially available in France for select artists like Céline Dion, with plans for broader rollout, contrasting with the industry’s AI-driven direction.
– Users can enter contests in the Deezer Club, with winning remixes featured in a playlist and winners receiving tickets and merchandise.
Global music streaming platform Deezer has unveiled a new feature called “Remix Lab,” giving fans the ability to creatively rework songs with explicit approval from original artists and rights holders. What sets this apart is that artists receive payment for every stream of these user-generated remixes, the company confirmed on Wednesday.
The Remix Lab tool is accessible within the app on select artist pages. Unlike competitors that lean on artificial intelligence for remixing, Deezer provides built-in editing options that let users adjust tempo, add reverb, or apply more radical changes like shifting a track’s musical genre or style, according to head of product Pierre Trochu in a blog post published today.
For context, YouTube allows creators to remix songs using AI-powered tools, and Spotify has partnered with Universal Music Group to produce AI-generated covers and remixes. Critics argue that such approaches flood platforms with AI-driven music, potentially overshadowing human artists and making it harder for them to build an audience.
Deezer has long taken a firm stance against AI-generated content. The company recently introduced a tool that analyzes playlists from rival services like Spotify and Apple Music to identify AI-produced tracks. It is also one of the few streaming services that actively removes AI-generated songs from recommendations and excludes them from editorial playlists.
“This remix tool perfectly embodies our vision of offering a product that enriches the listening experience for fans, by allowing them to participate in the creative process and create a deeper connection with their favorite music, directly in the Deezer app,” CEO Alexis Lanternier said in a statement. “True to our DNA, these features are made possible with full participation of the artists, fully respecting rights, and maximizing earnings for each track.”
Although Remix Lab is launching initially in France, with only vague plans for a broader international rollout, its significance in the streaming industry is clear: it runs directly counter to the AI-heavy direction most platforms are pursuing. If the feature gains traction among music fans and artists, it could signal that AI’s dominance on streaming services is not the only possible future for the music industry.
This approach could also serve as a model for how artists can earn compensation when fans enjoy and remix their work. For now, users can remix tracks from a select group of French artists, including Céline Dion, Alain Souchon, Alonzo, Ronisia, Mosimann, Tiakola, and Zaho.
Additionally, Deezer is hosting contests through the Deezer Club where fans can submit their remixes. Winners will be announced in early September, and their remixes will be featured in a dedicated Deezer playlist. Each winner will also receive two tickets to a Deezer Purple Door event and exclusive merchandise from the remixed artist.
(Source: TechCrunch)
