FINDING THE VOICE I NEVER HAD

Services like Suno and Udio give me a voice I never had the privilege to have. For years, I've had hundreds of original, authentic, and extremely personal song lyrics about my life going to waste because I knew with my life’s circumstances, no one would ever hear them outside of a few friends and family unless I suddenly got rich overnight. Why wait for that, when I have a passion for musical expression now?

When I discovered Suno and Udio, I had an “Oh shit” moment. Suddenly, all of those emotions and feelings I'd poured into my notes app and notebooks worth of paper could finally see the light of day. Instrumentals that once felt empty and incomplete could now be brought to life with vocals that match the tone and message I intended.

This led me to a deeper question: Is it art if no one ever sees or hears it? At that point, does the art even exist if it remains trapped in my head rather than being out in the tangible world, where it can be truly experienced? For many, art still exists even if private or unseen and that is perfectly correct for those people. For me, art gains its full meaning when shared. Without an audience, my music feels incomplete. There is no single right answer.

For me, these platforms became more than just tools—they became proof of concept. In today's world, gaining experience often requires already having experience, creating a frustrating loop that forces artists to get creative. And in the music industry, this struggle is even more pronounced. If I were writing a fiction story or a poem, the words alone would be enough because that IS the art. But with lyrics, the music is an inseparable part of the message. Reading lyrics without the accompanying music means missing half the story. This became especially clear to me when I worked on my song titled MASK for my upcoming EP. On paper, the lyrics might read as a vulnerable love song open to interpretation, but when paired with the instrumental, they take on an entirely different tone—one that words alone couldn't fully convey.

With that in mind, I realized that I finally had all the necessary pieces. The lyrics, the instrumentals, and now, thanks to AI, the glue that binds them together.

Beyond my personal experience, my admiration for these AI services, when used ethically, also comes from a place of empathy. I’m far from the only person who lacks a voice—literally or figuratively. Many aspiring musicians face barriers out of their control. Growing up, I sang in my school’s choir and later got into rapping, but as my health changed, my ability to perform was affected. Additionally, financial constraints make professional vocal recording a luxury I simply can't afford. Without tools like these, my ideas would likely remain just that—ideas, with no real way of bringing them to the public. Rather than waiting for an opportunity that may never come, I’ve chosen to take control of my own artistic destiny.

This topic reminds me of a comment I once saw on a YouTube video for one of my favorite video game series—Dance Central. For those unfamiliar, Dance Central was a game designed for the Xbox Kinect, featuring routines choreographed by professionals. One comment, written by a kid in a wheelchair, stuck with me: they loved the game but couldn’t physically play it. That simple remark has lingered in my mind for years. It makes me wonder—how can we create more opportunities for underprivileged and disabled individuals to engage in creative expression, whether it be through dance, music, or other forms of art? AI tools, when used ethically, might just be one of those solutions.

Addressing Common Questions

"Why not hire a real singer?"

As I mentioned earlier, privilege—or rather, the lack of it. More than that, the music industry demands a portfolio before it takes you seriously. If I want to prove my worth as a songwriter, I need finished songs, not just lyrics. Industry professionals tend to prefer songwriters who can present complete tracks—both lyrics and melody—over lyricists alone. Additionally, real singers deserve real pay, and my current life situation doesn't allow me to support them the way they deserve. The end goal is to have that freedom, but in the meantime, AI gives me a way to showcase my work and work towards that distant hope. Tomorrow isn't promised, so why wait?

“Why not use free collaborations or network with aspiring vocalists?”

Many assume that finding a vocalist—especially an aspiring one—should be easy through networking, collaboration groups, or social media. But the reality is far more complicated. The music industry favors those with established work to show. Many talented vocalists won’t take a songwriter seriously unless they already have a track record of good completed songs, and they know for sure they won't be scammed. Without a strong portfolio, reaching out to singers often results in being ignored, ghosted, or rejected. Aspiring artists also have their own goals and often prefer collaborations that boost their careers or have a financial incentive in some way. Someone like me who is just starting out would likely not stand a chance in most situations, especially since this is a passion project more than a money-making one. Even if you do find someone interested, there’s no guarantee they’ll have the right vocal style for your vision. Creative differences or lack of commitment can delay projects indefinitely. Many aspiring singers don’t have professional recording setups. A low-quality vocal recording can limit a song’s potential, whereas AI can provide studio-level clarity immediately. I have already tried many free sites like Looperman, where people kindly share their acapellas as free downloads, but unfortunately, the quality or vibe isn’t always what you're looking for or need. Renting studio time or asking vocalists to record professionally often costs money, which brings us back to financial barriers. While some artists collaborate for passion, many expect compensation—even if it’s just for their time and effort. The idea of “free collaborations” is often misleading; if a vocalist agrees to sing without upfront pay, they may later request a cut of future earnings, complicating legal rights and ownership.

"Is it really your art if a machine is performing it?"

In my case, absolutely. AI doesn’t create my work—I do. My lyrics, my compositions, my creative decisions are all me. The AI only steps in at the final stage, replacing what I physically can’t provide right now. I cannot speak for how others use AI, though.

"Would you feel okay if AI took over your own creative role? If AI can replace singers, what stops it from replacing songwriters too?"

AI will never fully replace human artists. There will always be a market for human-made music because people value authenticity and emotional depth. Some will misuse AI for unethical purposes—that's unavoidable—but the fact that we’re even having this discussion proves that human creativity isn’t going anywhere. The industry goes where the money is. If we were all financially able to support our favorite artists, we could minimize the usage of AI. AI-assisted music will simply coexist alongside traditional music, rather than overtaking it. The existence of AI music isn't going to suddenly change people's tastes in music overnight. If you love melodic pop music, but spoken rap became popular, would you suddenly become a spoken rap fan, or would you still support your melodic pop artists? Even if AI generated music with no human intervention became the norm, my and others' passion for making music from scratch will never cease, it's an innate part of our brains' design that completes us. Humans are unique in this way compared to the rest of the animal kingdom.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, I’m not using AI to replace music—I’m using it to enable it. AI has given me, and countless others, the ability to create when our circumstances wouldn’t allow it otherwise. In a perfect world, I would have the resources to record my own vocals or hire singers, but I refuse to let that stop me from bringing my ideas to life today. Music is meant to be heard, not trapped in a notebook waiting for the “right time” that may never come. AI is whatever you make of it. It has the potential to become uncontrolled and misused if not regulated, but it also has the potential to become life-changing in beautiful ways if the proper procedures and protections are put in place. We have to work together to find balance for those with ethical intentions. For some, AI is a shortcut for themselves who are uninspired or lack creative talent. For me, it’s a stepping stone—one that allows me to make my voice heard in a way I never could before, so that one day I might never need it anymore.