As AI-generated covers spread, Nepali musicians fight to reclaim their voices

Singer Sugam Pokharel issued a stern warning on Facebook, demanding the immediate removal of unauthorized AI-generated content that exploits his work and that of other artists. He threatened legal action, stating, “If you ignore this request, we will have no choice but to bring you within the jurisdiction of the law, wherever you may be, in Nepal or anywhere else in the world.” Pokharel shared screenshots of AI covers of his original songs uploaded on YouTube and TikTok.

Pokharel explained that he is not fundamentally opposed to AI, even using platforms like Suno in his creative process to sketch out arrangements. However, he objects strongly to the unauthorized use of his voice, melodies, and lyrics. This distinction between AI as a supportive tool and AI as a means of misappropriation is a central point of contention in Nepal's music industry.

“

If you ignore this request, we will have no choice but to bring you within the jurisdiction of the law, wherever you may be, in Nepal or anywhere else in the world.

Bimal Adhikari, who manages the label Bhavna Music Solution, has taken his concerns to Nepal Police’s Cyber Bureau. He noticed songs under his label being altered and re-uploaded about six to seven months prior. Initially hoping the trend would pass, Adhikari found that his work was being commercially traded under different names. By the time he acted, 40 to 50 of his songs had been modified using AI, with several attributed to a single individual operating multiple YouTube channels.

Adhikari emphasizes the difference: “Even if a song is made by AI, the melody is 100 percent the melody I created. The lyrics are also the same. It isn’t an ‘AI-generated song’. It is my composition and my words.” Deputy Superintendent of Police Gajendra Acharya noted that the Cyber Bureau categorizes complaints by offense type, making specific statistics on AI music-related issues unavailable. Adhikari worries that automated copyright systems might eventually flag original artists for infringing on their own material, while anonymous channels disappear and re-emerge, leaving the original artist to face the consequences.

“

Even if a song is made by AI, the melody is 100 percent the melody I created. The lyrics are also the same. It isn’t an ‘AI-generated song’. It is my composition and my words.