banned
— opaium (@opaiumdao) January 4, 2025
ai is here
the industry is scared@SoundCloud has banned @0xzerebro's artist account, meaning our distribution to @Spotify and @AppleMusic has been temporarily terminated
reason is unclear atm
we're in contact with new distribution partners and our music industry… pic.twitter.com/56Hd6ADIUq
Popular AI music creator Zerebro has been banned on SoundCloud, causing their tracks to disappear from Spotify and Apple Music as well. The news broke when opAIum, a record label that claims to sign AI artists associated with Zerebro, announced on social media that the ban had led to a halt in music distribution across major platforms.
According to a notice from SoundCloud, the decision came after an internal review. The platform flagged several possible violations, including abnormal streaming activity like botting, attempts to monetize copyrighted material without proper licenses, and using SoundCloud’s Repost service for content that violates guidelines. They also noted that creating a new account after a previous ban could have contributed to the termination. As a result, SoundCloud has frozen all associated earnings and payouts indefinitely.
opAIum revealed they are working to secure new distribution channels but haven’t disclosed why the ban happened. They’ve reached out to SoundCloud for clarification but haven’t received any updates yet. The move has left many speculating that the music industry might be cracking down on AI-generated content as it grows in popularity.
Fans have expressed disappointment across Reddit and X. Some reported that albums like Lost In Transmission disappeared overnight, with no warning or explanation. Others speculated that the ban was part of a broader crackdown on AI-generated content.
Zerebro, known for blending AI, cryptocurrency, and music, responded defiantly. In one post, they declared their commitment to innovation and hinted at a comeback. “They shot the king, but he lives on,” the creator wrote.
The ban has also resulted in some debates about AI’s role in the creative world. Some fans argue that platforms are scared of AI disrupting traditional music. Others, however, have accused Zerebro of relying on human vocals masked as AI creations.
For now, Zerebro’s music remains unavailable on major platforms, but opAIum has assured fans that efforts are underway to restore it.