AI music company Suno pulls Mary J. Blige advertisement, says singer was ‘uncomfortable’
The ad for AI music generator showed Blige appearing to endorse the company, calling a demonstration of its capabilities “dope.”
Following the controversy surrounding an endorsement featuring Mary J. Blige, AI music generator Suno has pulled its advertisement with the “No More Drama” singer. According to Suno, Blige was actually “uncomfortable” with the campaign.
The ad with Blige shows the Grammy Award-winning R&B artist appearing to watch a demonstration of the platform’s capabilities, as it plays an AI-generated song for her. Blige seems to respond positively, using the word “dope” at one point.
In a statement to Variety, a rep for Suno called Blige an “icon who we all deeply admire,” and said that the company wanted to work with her “because she hasn’t stopped innovating.”
“We entered into a business deal with someone who presented themselves as Ms. Blige’s official representative. As soon as we learned this was not the case, and that Ms. Blige was uncomfortable, we terminated the advertising campaign,” the statement said.
Blige has not commented publicly on the ad with Suno or its removal.
The fumbled advertisement is the latest backlash the AI platform has faced regarding its relationship to high-profile musicians. Earlier this summer, SZA called out the company in a longer reaction to finding out over 200 of her songs had been used to train artificial intelligence. She took to social media, warning Black artists to resist the technology.
“Idk who needs to hear this but Diplo has equity in Suno and is actively attempting to train it on the best and brightest Black minds of writers and producers,” she wrote in a post to her private account. “We make up 13% of the American population yet influence the world w our sound and perspective. I AINT HEARD A WHITE AI SONG YET. We have no protection in legislature medical or creative. The easiest to steal from. DO NOT GIVE AWAY YOUR VIBRANIUM !!! DO NOT TRAIN AI W YOUR GENIUS. F— these weird a— vultures. I want smoke all summer.”
The “Snooze” singer’s label, Sony Music Entertainment, along with Universal Music Group and Round Hill are suing Suno for copyright infringement. Individual artists have also filed lawsuits against the music generator, saying that it unlawfully imitated their voices and style without permission.
Warner Music Group also sued Suno in 2025, alongside Sony and Universal, but ultimately settled with Suno, forging a partnership with the AI company instead.