Eric Bellinger Embraces AI, Partners with Hooky to Offer His Voice to Creators

Photo Credit: Eric Bellinger

Grammy-winning R&B artist Eric Bellinger is not shying away from the AI revolution in music. Instead, he's diving headfirst into it, partnering with AI music startup Hooky to offer his AI-generated voice model to creators on their platform.

Hooky, known for its "artist-first" approach to Voice AI, recently launched a subscription platform providing tools for music creation, licensing, and distribution, all powered by artificial intelligence. Bellinger is one of the first artists to join the platform, allowing users to experiment with their songs using his AI-generated voice.

"If you aren't afraid of it, it could be your best friend," Bellinger told AFROTECH about AI technology. "But I think if you're afraid and thinking, 'Oh my God, I'm going to lose my job,' it's different in other fields. But for music, I definitely think it could be beneficial as a tool."   

Bellinger is no stranger to using technology to connect with his fans and enhance his creative process. He sees AI as another tool in his arsenal, not a replacement for his artistry. “I use it in all my sessions in different ways — whether it's coming up with an idea for artwork, titles, or something else," he shared.

This partnership marks a significant step in the growing intersection of AI and music. It highlights how artists can leverage AI to expand their reach, create new revenue streams, and even collaborate with fans in unprecedented ways.

Hooky's platform aims to empower artists by giving them control over their AI voice models and how they are used. This approach resonates with Bellinger, who values maintaining ownership of his creative work.

While AI in music raises questions about authenticity and copyright, Bellinger's embrace of the technology suggests a future where AI and human artists coexist and collaborate, pushing the boundaries of music creation.