AR Rahman Launches Band of 6 Virtual Singers in Dubai. India’s famous music composer AR Rahman launched his meta humans project on Friday, a global musical band consisting of six dynamic virtual musicians that represent people and cultures around the world, in Dubai at the ‘Abundance For The Future by SWFI’ event.
The members of the band will be represented by Synthetic Avatars to whom A.R. Rahman will provide the content or direction. A.R. Rahman and the band will blend the best of both worlds i.e., real and virtual by using state-of-the-art technologies, including visual effects and motion capture.
This Virtual band aspires to integrate cultures and remove boundaries and divisiveness, promoting oneness in people. This project is supported by The HBAR Foundation, a leading web3 ecosystem fund. Other technology partners who will be joining in this journey will be announced soon.
AR Rahman recreates late Singer’s voice by using AI
A R Rahman used AI software to recreate the voices of late singers Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed for a track in veteran actor Rajinikanth’s new film ‘Lal Salaam’. People weighed in with their opinions on whether this was right or unethical or cheating, it also sparked controversy.
Rahman said his team had taken permission from the families of Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed to recreate their voices for the song. He added that fair compensation had also been given to their families as fees for the project. He cleared his stance on this matter.
He tweeted, “We took permission from their families and sent deserving remuneration for using their voice algorithms ..technology is not a threat and a nuisance if we use it right…#respect #nostalgia.”
Shahul Hameed is most known for songs, Rasaathi En Usuru from Thiruda Thiruda (1993), Senthamizh Naatu Thamizhachiye from Vandicholai Chinraasu(1994), Urvasi Urvasi from Kadhalan (1994), Vaarayo Thozhi from Jeans (1998).He died in a car crash in 1997, near Chennai. Bakya, who crooned popular numbers such as the latest ‘Ponni Nadhi’ in Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, died in September 2022 at the age of 42. He had also sung the tracks ‘Pullinangal’ from Rajinikanth’s ‘2.0’, ‘Kalame Kalame’ from Vijay’s ‘Bigil’ and ‘Simtarangaran’ from ‘Sarkar’.
We took permission from their families and sent deserving remuneration for using their voice algorithms ..technology is not a threat and a nuisance if we use it right…#respect #nostalgia 🙏 https://t.co/X2TpRoGT3l
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) January 29, 2024
Unlike lot of people who are taking undue advantage of Artificial Intelligence, A.R Rahman used it in the better manner by recreating late singer’s voice and by launching Band of 6 as Part of Meta Humans Project in Dubai. The newly launched band aims to fuse cultures, break down boundaries, and eliminate divisiveness, promoting a sense of shared humanity.
A.R. Rahman’s early life and his contribution to Indian Music Industry
- R. Rahman, whose full name is Allah Rakha Rahman, is a renowned Indian composer, singer, and music producer. Born on January 6, 1967, in Chennai, India, he is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential composers in the history of Indian cinema and world music.
- R. Rahman gained international fame with his work on the soundtrack of the 2008 film “Slumdog Millionaire,” for which he won two Academy Awards – Best Original Score and Best Original Song (“Jai Ho”). His ability to blend Indian classical music with various global genres has contributed to his unique and distinctive sound.
Over the years, Rahman has received numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards, BAFTA Awards, and several National Film Awards in India. His vast discography includes compositions for a wide range of films, encompassing various languages and genres.
Apart from his work in films, Rahman has also been involved in international collaborations, stage performances, and philanthropic activities. His impact on the music industry and cultural landscape goes beyond the boundaries of India, making him a global icon in the world of music.