Adele songs to return to TikTok after peace deal with Universal Music

Adele and Ariana Grande are to return to TikTok which agreed to crack down on AI-generated recordings – AFP/Getty Images/Valerie Macon/Kevin Mazur

Songs by artists such as Adele and Ariana Grande are to return to TikTok after the video-sharing app agreed to crack down on fake recordings generated by artificial intelligence (AI).

Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music publisher, confirmed an end to a feud with TikTok on Wednesday by striking an agreement with the Chinese-owned app.

It said the tie-up would boost royalties and ensure TikTok removes synthetic tracks that mimic the voices of real singers.

Sir Lucian Grainge, Universal’s chairman and chief executive, told staff that the TikTok deal would “protect the integrity and value of human artistry” by removing “fake artist” music made with AI.

The deal ends a row that had seen TikTok forced to remove millions of songs by artists such as Taylor Swift and Drake after a previous licensing deal lapsed in January.

The deal came as Taylor Swift helped drive a 6pc rise in Universal’s revenue in the first quarter to €2.6bn.

The record label said the singer was among the top sellers over the period, while streaming revenues were also boosted by Spotify’s recent price rise.

In an open letter published earlier this year, Universal accused TikTok of “trying to build a music-based business without paying fair value for the music.”

Sir Lucian, the British music tycoon, warned the app was being “flooded with AI-generated recordings” that ripped off real artists.

TikTok, which is owned by Beijing-headquartered Bytedance and is home to billions of videos, hit back at Universal by accusing the business of “greed”.

The music industry has long voiced fears that AI tools are being used to create fake music in the style of real musicians.

Last year, TikTok and other social media sites were forced to remove a track that mimicked rapper Drake and singer The Weeknd after it went viral.

TikTok were forced to remove a track that mimicked rapper Drake and singer The Weeknd – Kevin Mazur/Getty Images/TW/Prince Williams/Wireimage

However, TikTok’s one billion users mean that it is a crucial avenue for promoting new music.

Universal claimed the new TikTok agreement would improve payouts to artists and songwriters.

TikTok has also agreed to improve tools that attribute fees to artists and boost online safety tools.

Sir Lucian said: “We look forward to collaborating with the team at TikTok to further the interests of our artists and songwriters.”

Shou Zi Chew, TikTok chief executive, said: “Music is an integral part of the TikTok ecosystem and we are pleased to have found a path forward with Universal Music Group.”

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