Can artificial intelligence produce an entire music album on a limited budget? For independent Nigerian artist Eclipse Nkasi, the answer was a resounding yes. Over three days and with less than $500, Nkasi challenged conventional notions of music creation, using AI tools to compose, write, and produce a nine-track album titled Infinite Echoes.
AI and the Music Industry
Artificial intelligence has been disrupting the creative industry for years, evolving to generate visuals, text, and now music. While early AI tools struggled with basics like coherent lyrics or realistic voices, recent advancements have refined the technology to mimic human performances impressively. Yet, skepticism lingers—many critics argue AI music lacks the emotional essence that makes art authentic.For Nkasi, this skepticism was a challenge. “People often say AI can’t create music that feels human, but I wanted to see if it could,” he explained. His goal wasn’t just to prove AI’s creative capabilities but also to demonstrate how it could lower production costs for independent artists. “Making music professionally is expensive, and most upcoming artists struggle to afford it.”
How It Was Done
To bring Infinite Echoes to life, Nkasi combined various AI tools for specific tasks. SoundRaw, an AI music generator, provided the instrumentals. “You can adjust the length, tempo, and genre to your preference,” Nkasi said, adding that its $15 monthly subscription was affordable. ChatGPT generated the lyrics and even suggested prompts for creating visuals through tools like MidJourney.For vocals, Nkasi utilized AI voice synthesis software, investing around $168 to build a digital singer named Mya Blue. “The AI voice was convincing, even mimicking pauses for breath—something human singers naturally do,” he noted. Although most songs were AI-generated, Nkasi refined melodies and adjusted lyrics for better flow, blending human oversight with AI execution.
The Album: Infinite Echoes
The album’s theme revolves around uniting diverse cultural sounds and stories. Tracks like “Ifuu (Men Di Bad)” incorporate Nigerian Pidgin and Igbo, while others, such as “Find You,” adopt a reggae style with patois lyrics. Gospel-inspired songs like God’s Whispers II challenge the notion that AI lacks emotional depth. The voice of Mya Blue, Nkasi’s AI-generated singer, played a crucial role here, adding a soft, human-like tone to the tracks.The production process wasn’t without its hurdles. Nkasi pointed out that current AI tools work independently, lacking interoperability. “The AI writing lyrics doesn’t understand the beats, so I had to sync the melody myself. Eventually, these tools will connect seamlessly,” he predicted.
AI’s Role in Music’s Future
While concerns about copyright and AI-generated content have prompted streaming platforms to crack down on such works, Nkasi remains optimistic. “AI will democratize music production, making it more accessible for independent artists,” he argued. “It might disrupt major labels, but for artists like me, it’s a game changer.”Nkasi’s experiment with Infinite Echoes proves that AI is not just a novelty but a powerful tool for creativity, offering opportunities for artists to create high-quality work on limited budgets. As AI continues to evolve, it may reshape how we think about art, music, and the human touch increative expression.
