AI audio company ElevenLabs has launched Eleven Music \u2013 a platform that\u2019s said to generate \u201cstudio-grade music\u201d from \u201cnatural language prompts\u201d \u2013 after striking partnerships with independent music licensing organization Merlin<\/a> and publisher Kobalt<\/a>.<\/p>\n London and New York-based ElevenLabs<\/strong><\/a> announced the launch on Tuesday (August 5), marking its expansion beyond voice synthesis into full AI music generation.<\/p>\n According to a press release, Eleven Music<\/strong> enables users to create tracks across any genre or style, with or without vocals, in numerous languages\u2026 within minutes.<\/p>\n As such, Eleven Music<\/strong> enters the busy generative AI music space, competing with Suno and Udio<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Unlike those two platforms, however, Eleven Music<\/strong> is already inking licensing agreements with major rightsholders. Said rightsholders are convinced their works are being duly protected\u2026 and compensated.<\/p>\n Its media release today (August 5) stated: \u201cEleven Music was built in partnership with artists, labels, and publishers, and includes guardrails to protect rightsholders.\u201d<\/p>\n Laurent Hubert<\/a><\/strong>, CEO of Kobalt, said: \u201cOur songwriters and clients entrust us to ensure that the AI revolution includes both strong protections for their intellectual property rights for AI training, as well as forward-looking and thoughtful opportunities to participate in AI revenue streams, subject to clear and fair guardrails.<\/p>\n \u201cElevenLabs has been a collaborative partner, committed to sourcing data directly from rightsholders and protecting them.\u201d<\/p>\n With that in mind, it\u2019s interesting to scan Eleven Music\u2019s<\/strong> terms and conditions<\/a> for making tunes on its platform.<\/p>\n Under \u2018Prohibited Inputs\u2019<\/strong>, users agree that they are \u201cexpressly prohibited\u201d from submitting any of the following prompts:<\/p>\n In addition, the T\u2019s and C\u2019s<\/strong> prohibit deliberate infringement of rightsholders\u2019 music rights \u2013 and deep-fakery:<\/p>\n ElevenLabs says its partnerships with Kobalt and Merlin<\/strong> will enable \u201cpremier artists and songwriters\u201d represented by both organizations to participate in developing Eleven Music Pro, a subsequent model planned for release in the coming months.<\/p>\n Kobalt\u2019s Hubert<\/strong> added, \u201cElevenLabs has been a collaborative partner, committed to sourcing data directly from rightsholders and protecting them.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are excited about this partnership and seeing ElevenLabs become a pioneer in licensing premium music for its Music Pro offering. Kobalt<\/strong> looks forward to working with our songwriters and partners who wish to be part of this opportunity with ElevenLabs.\u201d<\/p>\n The launch represents a natural progression for ElevenLabs, which was founded in 2022 by CEO Mati Staniszewski<\/strong> and CTO Piotr D\u0105bkowski<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u201cElevenLabs has been a collaborative partner, committed to sourcing data directly from rightsholders and protecting them.\u201d<\/p>\n Laurent Hubert, Kobalt<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n To date, it\u2019s been best known for its AI voiceover and voice agent tech, which it claims is used by\u00a0millions of individuals and thousands of businesses, including employees from over 72% of the Fortune 500.<\/p>\n \u201cAs an AI audio company, expanding into music was a natural progression, and we are thrilled to introduce Eleven Music today,\u201d said Staniszewski<\/strong> of today\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve heard massive demand from our enterprise partners and users for a music model like this and we took our time to ship one that we\u2019re certain they\u2019ll love.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re proud to do so in collaboration with music industry partners<\/strong> who recognize the vast benefits and possibilities of AI innovation in music.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeremy Sirota<\/strong>, CEO of Merlin, added: \u201cWe are excited to partner with ElevenLabs. Our partnership with ElevenLabs demonstrates that music rightsholders can negotiate thoughtful, forward-looking agreements with AI companies.<\/p>\n \u201cTogether, we have created responsible guardrails that showcase how AI companies and music rightsholders can collaborate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re proud to [launch Eleven Music] in collaboration with music industry partners<\/strong> who recognize the vast benefits and possibilities of AI innovation in music.\u201d<\/p>\n Mati Staniszewski, ElevenLabs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n ElevenLabs<\/strong> launched publicly in January 2023.<\/p>\n The company raised a $180 million Series C funding round<\/a> in January 2025, valuing it at $3.3 billion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In December 2024, it announced a partnership with BMG\u2019s parent company Bertelsmann<\/a>, which included plans to add AI-generated music features.<\/p>\n\n
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