The U.S. reggae act are the latest victim of alleged AI infringement version after a generated remix of their track went viral on TikTok. Also this week: two of Michael Jackson’s biggest hits make their debut on the chart, while Drake's catalogue rises on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.
An AI copycat controversy has vaulted a 2019 song onto the Canadian charts.
Stick Figure’s “Angels Above Me” debuts this week at No. 98 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, dated May 23.
Released in 2019, the group’s acoustic reggae track has made an unprecedented resurgence after an AI-generated remix of the song was uploaded to TikTok. The most popular remix, “Run Run River,” has gone viral on the social media platform. But according to the group, they weren’t actually a part of the remix, which bears a strikingly similar resemblance to the band's original song.
“We didn’t authorize the remix. It was likely generated in one click and then has since gone viral on TikTok,” they wrote on Instagram earlier this month, noting that they weren’t credited as writers on the track. “Since last week, there has been hundreds of new variations of the remix, all generated with AI.”
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After the band’s initial comments, they were properly credited on the track, which is attributed to DJ Kyros on streaming platforms. But it’s their original version that is reaping the benefits, nearly seven years after its initial release.
Stick Figure are the latest victims of AI-generated content, which has been a hot topic in the Canadian music industry.
Recently, "I Run" by electronic duo HAVEN. was created using AI-manipulated vocals through the controversial generative music platform Suno. After being accused of faking vocals by British R&B singer Jorja Smith, the duo released a rerecorded version with TikTok-viral singer Kaitlin Aragon that charted on the Canadian Hot 100.
Charli XCX is entering her rock music era, as her aptly titled track, “Rock Music,” arrives at No. 95.
After teasers of the British pop singer destroying an electric guitar hit social media, it was clear that she wasn’t joking. While the song does feature guitar, it leans more hyper-pop in production, in true Charli fashion. Produced by Finn Keane — whom she recently worked with on the Wuthering Heights soundtrack — and frequent collaborator A.G. Cook, the track is just under two minutes, but packs a punch.
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“I think the dancefloor is dead / So now we’re making rock music,” she sings. The line became a controversial moment for the singer, known for making upbeat, hyperpop music. But it’s clear Charli beats to the tune of her own drum.
“Rock Music” marks the star’s new era, as she reportedly pushes her artistic boundaries on her interpretation of the rock genre. “What’s interesting for me is to bend the possibilities of what my perspective on that could be,” she told British Vogue, noting that rehashing the dance-world Brat built “would have felt really hard, really sad,” to follow up with a similar sonic palette.
For the third week, Michael Jackson breaks new ground on the Canadian Hot 100 following the success of the biopic Michael. The late pop hitmaker scores two new debuts, including “Human Nature” at No. 48 and “Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough” at No. 49. Meanwhile, “Billie Jean” climbs 25-21, and “Beat It” rises 43-32.
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Over on the Canadian Albums chart, Michael: Songs From The Motion Picture moves into the top 5, claiming the No. 4 spot. The King of Pop’s Number Ones compilation record hits a new peak at No. 13, up three spots from No. 16, while a second collection of his biggest hits, The Essential Michael Jackson, moves from No. 48 to No. 45.
While Drake’s Iceman trio is projected to hit the charts next week, many of the Toronto rapper’s charting albums have climbed higher: Take Care rises 36-28, Views moves up one spot to No. 31, Scorpion stings at No. 50 and $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, his collaboration project with PARTYNEXTDOOR, climbs 58-53. Certified Lover Boy rises 62-54, while For All The Dogs makes the biggest jump to No. 62, up almost 20 spots from No. 81 and More Life climbs 88-76. All of the albums previously peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart.
