Liza Minnelli has released “Kids Wait You Hear This,” her first new song in 13 years, featuring AI‑generated instrumental arrangements while her vocals remain entirely human. The track serves as a teaser for her upcoming memoir and demonstrates how legacy artists can blend cutting‑edge technology with authentic performance.
AI Arrangement vs. Human Vocals
The single’s backing track was created using ElevenLabs’ AI composition tools, which generated deep‑house and EDM‑style instrumentation. Minnelli emphasized that no vocal synthesis was employed; all singing, spoken lines, and shout‑outs are her own recordings.
How the Track Was Produced
- AI‑driven instrumentation: ElevenLabs’ system composed the rhythm, synth layers, and overall arrangement.
- Human vocal performance: Minnelli recorded every vocal element, including melodic lines and spoken shout‑outs.
- Collaborative workflow: The AI tool acted as a co‑creator, offering ideas that Minnelli refined and approved.
Artist’s Response to Criticism
In a direct Facebook post, Minnelli clarified that the AI was limited to the musical backdrop and that the vocal track is entirely hers. She called detractors “trolls” who failed to read the official statement and urged listeners to focus on the music rather than speculation.
Impact on Royalties and Rights
Because the vocal performance is fully human, performance royalties for “Kids Wait You Hear This” will be paid to Minnelli in the traditional manner. The AI‑generated composition may involve separate licensing agreements with ElevenLabs, affecting publishing royalties but not diminishing Minnelli’s entitlement to her vocal performance earnings.
Future Implications for Legacy Artists
Minnelli’s transparent approach provides a blueprint for other established performers considering AI collaboration. By clearly delineating the scope of AI involvement—instrumentation only—artists can maintain creative control, protect their brand integrity, and leverage new tools to refresh their sound without compromising authenticity.
Key Takeaways
- AI can enhance production while preserving the artist’s vocal identity.
- Clear communication about AI usage helps mitigate backlash.
- Royalty structures adapt to differentiate between human performance and AI‑generated composition.
- Legacy artists have a viable path to modernize their music using responsible AI partnerships.
