Jorja Smith's Label Demands Royalties from AI-Generated Viral Hit 'I Run'

The Viral Hit That Sparked Controversy

A TikTok-viral song has ignited a significant legal battle over AI-generated music and artist rights. "I Run" by British dance act Haven achieved remarkable success in October, reaching No. 11 on the US Spotify chart and No. 25 globally 2

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. The track's smooth soul vocals, performed by an uncredited female singer, contributed to its viral status across social media platforms 1

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However, the song's meteoric rise was abruptly halted when streaming services banned it following takedown notices from record industry bodies, including the Recording Industry Association of America and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry 2

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AI Voice Cloning Allegations

The controversy centers on allegations that Haven used artificial intelligence to clone Brit Award-winning singer Jorja Smith's voice. Smith's record label, FAMM, claims the track violated copyright by impersonating the artist and misleading listeners into believing they were hearing an unreleased Smith original 1

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Haven's Harrison Walker later revealed to Billboard that he used "AI-assisted processing to transform solely my voice for I Run," utilizing Suno's generative AI technology 2

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. Walker defended his approach as staying "on the cutting edge of what's happening" in music production.

The confusion was amplified by Haven's social media strategy, with many posts tagged #jorjasmith, and fabricated footage appearing to show rapper Offset playing the song during a Boiler Room set 2

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Industry Response and Legal Implications

FAMM's response highlights the complex legal landscape surrounding AI-generated music. The label revealed that Haven's team approached Smith for a remix collaboration after the original went viral, allegedly seeking to "legitimise the track as the public had been led to believe that they were listening to Jorja Smith's vocals" 2

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Crucially, FAMM claims Haven's team never disclosed their use of AI technology during these discussions. The label stated it "could have cut a cheque in a backroom deal and gotten paid but we ignored the request," instead choosing to pursue legal action .

The Re-recorded Version and Ongoing Disputes

"I Run" has since been re-released with new vocals by Kaitlin Aragon and charted at No. 37 in the UK 2

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. However, FAMM maintains that both versions infringe on Smith's rights and "unfairly take advantage of the work of all the songwriters with whom she collaborates."

The label's legal strategy extends beyond seeking compensation for Smith alone. If successful in establishing AI involvement, FAMM plans to "allocate each of Jorja's cowriters with a pro-rata share" based on their contribution to Smith's catalog, arguing that AI training would have utilized her entire body of work 2

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Broader Industry Context

This case occurs amid wider legal battles between major record labels and AI companies. Sony Music, Warner Music Group, and Universal Music Group have filed lawsuits against Suno over claims the company trained its models on their catalogs without permission 2

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. While Warner has reached a settlement with Suno, Sony and Universal continue litigation.

Spotify confirmed it detected the impersonation, removed the original song, and withheld royalty payments. Billboard also reserved the right to remove titles involved in active copyright disputes .

Call for Industry Reform

FAMM emphasized that this controversy extends beyond individual artists, stating "This isn't about Jorja. It's bigger than one artist or one song." The label advocates for mandatory labeling of AI-generated music, allowing consumers to make informed choices about their listening habits 2

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