The artist known as 1010Benja stands in silhouette against a golden-hour backdrop, quiet defiance written in every line of his form. There’s a certain stalwart resolution in his stance, an unspoken refusal to back down or apologize for his controversial decision. This enigmatic character is pushing the boundaries and stirring heated discussions within the music industry. His crime? Embracing generative AI in his music creation.
As a journalist with a typhoon of eclectic musical preferences, it would be remiss of me to denounce the use of AI in music outright. I find myself nodding along to Holly Herndon’s esoteric soundscapes and have grudgingly admitted that AI-generated compositions hold a certain intrigue. However, where generative AI is concerned, I have often found the output to be, at best, uninspiring, and, at worst, offensively boring.
So, it’s with a certain amount of wordless confusion that I find myself enjoying 1010Benja’s piece titled ‘Semiramis’ Dream’. The usage of generative AI in this composition edges on the very cusp of this nascent technology’s potential but does not shy away from the inherently chaotic nature of AI corralled into creative conformity.
The Unapologetic Usage of AI in Music
With his latest EP, gracefully titled ‘Time Has Nothing To Do With What You Choose…’, 1010Benja remains unapologetically experimental. Though the other three tracks may not stand up as well against his 2024 body of work, ‘Ten Total’, there’s no denying the infectiously frenetic energy of ‘Semiramis’ Dream’. The track erupts from the speakers over a pulsating jungle beat, embedding itself in the listeners’ auditory consciousness, driven, no doubt, by the unusual yet enthralling use of generative AI.
Conclusion
As with any new technology, the use of AI in music certainly has its detractors. However, 1010Benja’s unique approach may win over even the staunchest of critics. By striding boldly into this untapped frontier of musical creation, 1010Benja takes up the mantle of fearless trailblazer, exploring the overlapping terrains of technology and creativity. With artists like him at the helm, the future of generative AI in music looks anything but monotonous.
