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Suno has removed its marketing campaign with Mary J. Blige after the company claimed it made a deal with someone posing as the R&B singer's rep.
The ad in question was posted to social media on Sunday, August 30. In it, the "Real Love" singer sits in a studio as a producer explains how Suno works in music. Her responses were edited to make it seem as if she co-signed the controversial AI program and wanted to learn more about it. Soon after the 30-second ad dropped, fans instantly believed Blige had endorsed Suno — when, in reality, she didn't.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Suno ran the ad after it got the green light from someone who called themselves a rep for the legendary artist-actress. However, that person wasn't who they claimed to be. Although she appeared in the ad, Blige never actually approved it herself.
“We entered into a business deal with someone who presented themselves as Ms. Blige’s official representative," a rep for Suno said in a statement. "As soon as we learned this was not the case, and that Ms. Blige was uncomfortable, we terminated the advertising campaign.”
Blige may not have approved of Suno's ad, but AI programs like it are being embraced by some of the music industry's most prominent acts. Dr. Dre recently received backlash after he revealed that he used AI to enhance music he made.
“I don’t see it as a threat,” Dre said. “I think the only people that see it as a threat are the people who have trouble creating.”
As of this report, Mary J. Blige has not publicly commented on the situation.