Don't use AI. Don't let it write for you. Don't let it make art for you. Don't let it think for you. Don't degrade yourself like that.
Musicians are constantly learning that lesson these days. Some big artists have attached their names to lofty statements protesting the use of AI in music, but it seems like every day we see a dispiriting pattern play out: Somebody will use AI to create a music video, album art, or some other creative pursuit, and their fans will swiftly give them hell for subverting creative labor in favor of ugly slop.
Just last week, Butthole Surfers revealed the AI-generated cover art for their new live album Live At The Leather Fly, and the comments were rightly full of vehement disapproval. The band did not acknowledge or apologize for their AI use.
On Monday, Gin Blossoms posted an AI slop caricature depicting the band members as young children to their Instagram account as a gag; they got a mostly friendly response, though one wise commenter pointed out, "Bands posting AI slop is insane. You all are gonna be next and then start complaining when people listen to AI music and your royalties dry up."
And today Dropkick Murphys were forced to limit comments on an Instagram post of the group rendered as Sesame Street-style puppets. It was the Celtic punk band's attempt at a message of support for Sesame Street, which was recently picked up by Netflix after not being renewed on Warner Bros. Discovery. Dropkick Murphys, however, say that Sesame Workshop sent them the image.
Sometimes, artists are repenting of this particular sin. Also last week, the Michigan emo band Hot Mulligan posted a flyer for a concert at Philadelphia's Ukie Club. The flyer incorporated AI-generated images, and a fan on X called the band out for it. Hot Mulligan's Jonah Kramer, responding from his girlfriend's account, wrote that he did not expect "charitability" for the mistake but offered the following explanation:
I have never purposely / directly used AI in my life and I do not support the use of AI.
I purchased the vector image on the flyer from etsy.
I take responsibility for not realizing the assets I bought were made with AI. But I didn't know and wouldn't have used them if I did.Once it was brought to my attention that my original flyer contained images made with AI, I had the flyer redrawn by my girlfriend because I can't draw for shit. The flyer has been updated on our website and will be used going forward. This was last week.
It is unfortunate that AI has become so commonplace that we now have to try to detect it in everything. It simply was not on my mind and I own up to not being able to do that in the first place - that's on me, sorry y'all.
They really did take a hot mulligan. An additional post reads, "Note from the girlfriend: reference images used for the update were real pictures and not generated. AI is trash and I hate that it’s even legal to sell AI graphic design resources on any platform as if they’re your own, so F that etsy seller too while we’re at it."
You can also add Kesha to the list of artists who've replaced their AI art with something made by humans. Last year the pop star caught flack for the apparent use of AI in the artwork for her single "Delusional." Today she shared new artwork for the song, explaining that her use of AI art for the first go-round was intentional — pointed, in fact — but misguided. She also included a detailed list of credits recognizing the "incredible team of humans" who made the replacement packshot. "thanks to my crew for helping me live out here in my highest and cuntiest potential," she wrote. "AI is a pandoras box that we as a society have collectively opened, and I think it's important that we keep human ramifications in mind as we learn how to use it as a tool and not as a replacement."
Here's Kesha's full message:
When making the single art for my song Delusional, I wanted to make the point that it's DELUSIONAL that the world expects artists to continue making art when we are so undervalued. I tried to echo my ideas in the form of a political single cover.I’ve realized that living in alignment with my integrity is more important than proving a point.
so I've decided to change the cover art for this song. She's one of my favorites💕
DELUSIONAL Single art brought to you by my incredible team of humans
Photo @breadandwalter
Creative @matthew.daniel.siskin
Nails @britneytokyo
Style @marta.del.rio
Hair @eduardoponcehair
MU @leo.chaparro
Video @jakechamsthanks to my crew for helping me live out here in my highest and cuntiest potential.
AI is a pandoras box that we as a society have collectively opened, and I think it's important that we keep human ramifications in mind as we learn how to use it as a tool and not as a replacement.
Just me healing, in real time 💋
You can see the posts documenting all this madness below.
Hello - Jonah here, using my gf's account because I don't have twitter
Not expecting any charitability in this thread but I figured I would try to explain how this happened.
— eliza (@fantasycamp) May 16, 2025
Once it was brought to my attention that my original flyer contained images made with AI, I had the flyer redrawn by my girlfriend because I can't draw for shit. The flyer has been updated on our website and will be used going forward. This was last week. pic.twitter.com/C0XrWhOJsp
— eliza (@fantasycamp) May 16, 2025
It is unfortunate that AI has become so commonplace that we now have to try to detect it in everything. It simply was not on my mind and I own up to not being able to do that in the first place - that's on me, sorry y'all.
— eliza (@fantasycamp) May 16, 2025
It is unfortunate that AI has become so commonplace that we now have to try to detect it in everything. It simply was not on my mind and I own up to not being able to do that in the first place - that's on me, sorry y'all.
— eliza (@fantasycamp) May 16, 2025
Note from the girlfriend: reference images used for the update were real pictures and not generated. AI is trash and I hate that it’s even legal to sell AI graphic design resources on any platform as if they’re your own, so F that etsy seller too while we’re at it
— eliza (@fantasycamp) May 16, 2025
UPDATE: Ice Nine Kills have entered the chat...
— ICE NINE KILLS (@ICENINEKILLS) May 25, 2025
