The California-based reggae band Stick Figure has experienced a surge in unexpected popularity for their seven-year-old hit “Angels Above Me,” currently topping charts in the UK and Canada. However, this newfound success is marred by an abundance of unauthorized AI-generated remixes that have garnered more attention than the original song.

Lead vocalist Scott Woodruff describes the situation as ‘saddening’—he’s receiving no royalties for these viral remixes, despite hundreds of thousands of streams. ‘It’s a game of whack-a-mole,’ says Adam Gross, managing director of Ineffable Records. As AI-generated music continues to challenge the traditional music industry, Stick Figure faces an uphill battle to reclaim their earnings and legal rights.

The proliferation of these AI-created remixes is not isolated; according to Deezer, 44 percent of daily tracks are now AI-generated, with 85 percent being fraudulent. This has led to a new kind of music piracy where AI tools churn out songs designed purely for profit. Spotify and other platforms have begun initiatives to combat this issue, but the sheer volume of content makes it difficult to enforce.

Despite the challenges, Stick Figure continues to push back against these unauthorized remixes. However, Woodruff laments that some of the AI-generated tracks have garnered more attention than their original composition. The band is seeking a proactive approach from music distribution companies and platforms to tackle this growing issue, ensuring artists like them see fair compensation for their work.