Will.i.am believes TikTok has transformed the music industry
The 50-year-old star - who is best known as the frontman of the Black Eyed Peas - believes the video-sharing app has had a much bigger impact on the music business than AI
18 March 2025
Speaking to Sky News, Will explained: "I don't think anything can water down our industry any more than TikTok has."
The record producer observed that TikTok has changed how fans consume music. Will also believes the app has led record companies to reconsider what they're looking for from an artist.
The chart-topping star said: "We used to listen to three-minute songs, now we're down to nine seconds ... TikTok and that algorithm, you know, changes what record companies are looking for, changes the architecture of the song ... it's watered down."
Meanwhile, Kings of Leon star Caleb Followill previously admitted that he feels "scared" of AI technology.
The 43-year-old star confessed to feeling a "little nervous" about AI's ever-increasing influence on the music industry - although Caleb joked that he's "kind of an old man".
The musician told Sky News: "I am scared of it though, I think, maybe, a little bit.
"I've seen some stuff that makes me a little nervous."
Caleb also believes that AI isn't necessary in order to recreate the Kings of Leon sound.
Caleb - who co-founded the popular band more than 20 years ago - explained: "As far as music, it doesn't take AI to sound like us, my god.
"We're still learning how to play, so our skill level is still very much achievable by just human beings. It's not going to take aliens or artificial intelligence."
© 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity
