In 2024, a controversial Beatles song made Grammy history and raised eyebrows
On November 8, 2024, the Beatles were once again making history in the music industry. For the first time since 1997, the band was shortlisted for the Grammys, bringing their lifetime nomination count to 25 (seven of which they've won). However, that wasn't the only reason the group was making headlines.
Hailed as 'the last Beatles song,' 2023's "Now and Then" was nominated in both Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance award categories, but more importantly, it was the first AI-assisted song to receive a Grammy nomination.
To purists, this was sacrilege, with AI's bubbling influence on the music industry viewed as a growing stain by many.
However, to the remaining members of the Beatles, AI allowed them to see out the final chapter of a decades-long journey to honor the memory of their friend and bandmate, John Lennon.
In a short documentary released alongside the track, Sir Paul McCartney ponders the ethical dilemma out loud, "Is it something we shouldn't do?"
"Let's say I had the chance to ask John, 'Hey John, would you like us to finish this last song of yours?' I'm telling you. I know the answer would've been 'Yeah!' He would've loved that."
It's easy to paint AI as a threat to the future of music. However, despite its controversy, "Now and Then" hints at the potential for a harmonious path forward for AI and artists.
Source:Yahoo
