AI Music Fraud Targets Indie Artists: Fake Albums Appear on Official Profiles

Industry News

Aug 26

Independent musicians are facing a new challenge: AI-generated albums appearing directly under their official streaming profiles. Folk singer-songwriter Emily Portman recently discovered a fabricated album, Orca, on Spotify, iTunes, and other platforms. The music was not hers but eerily mimicked her voice and style, leading fans to believe she had released new material.

Slow Response From Streaming Platforms

After filing copyright complaints, Portman said platforms were inconsistent in their response. While some acted quickly, Spotify took three weeks to remove the fraudulent release. During that time, the album remained live on her verified page, confusing fans and undermining her control over her catalog.

Other Artists Impacted

Portman’s case is not isolated. New York-based producer Josh Kaufman, known for his contributions to Taylor Swift’s Folklore, also found AI-generated music posted under his name. Similar reports have surfaced from Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Father John Misty, Sam Beam (Iron & Wine), Teddy Thompson, and Jakob Dylan. Many of the releases share common traits: AI-style cover art, Indonesian label names, and songwriting credits tied to Zyan Maliq Mahardika, name that has appeared on fraudulent tracks across multiple genres.

Why Indie Musicians Are Being Targeted

Analysts suggest that fraudsters are deliberately targeting mid-level and independent artists rather than superstars. Lesser-known artists may not have the same immediate access to platform support, making fraudulent activity harder to detect and resolve. With listeners relying more on algorithm-driven recommendations, it becomes easier for fake tracks to go unnoticed while still generating streaming revenue.

Platforms Fight Back With AI

Streaming services and distributors are attempting to combat the issue using AI and machine learning tools designed to detect fake content. However, fraudsters are also using the same technologies to improve their tactics. This dynamic is creating a technological arms race between detection systems and fraudulent uploaders.

Echoes of Early Digital Piracy

The situation draws comparisons to the rise of online piracy in the early 2000s, when music industry stakeholders struggled to keep pace with new digital threats. Just as piracy reshaped music distribution, AI-driven fraud is shaping new challenges for copyright enforcement, artist rights, and platform accountability.

An Ongoing Battle

For now, artists are left to monitor their own catalogs and push for the removal of fraudulent content. Until streaming platforms and legal frameworks evolve further, the issue is expected to continue, with indie musicians among the most at risk.

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