Suno launches Spark incubator program to feed independent artists to its AI machine

Terrence O'Brien

is the Verge’s weekend editor. He’s covered the tech industry for over 18 years and knows a thing or two about synths.

Suno has ambitions to be more than just a toy to churn out AI slop, it also wants to be a streaming destination and to break new artists. Spark is their new incubator program for independent artists that provides grants, mentorship, and marketing support.

To apply, artists need to be an unsigned singer, songwriter, or producer releasing music under their own name. They also need to agree to some terms and conditions that have raised some eyebrows over on the Suno subreddit. For one, you need to agree to make your songs available on Suno for remixing. That’s not necessarily super concerning, but the broad license it grants Suno to your works, including the ability to create derivative works, is. By agreeing, you also waive your right to a trial and to participate in a class action, and give Suno limited exclusivity to your material. Suno is already facing a proposed class action lawsuit from a group of independent artists.

Perhaps most alarming is the “Good Vibes Only” confidentiality and non-disparagement clause that requires you to promote Suno and give the company the right to request edits and removals of your content. It says the participant “will not at any time make any statements or representations, either directly or indirectly, whether orally or in writing, that portrays Suno, Suno personnel, and/or any Suno products or services in a negative light,” and doing so could mean being removed from the program.

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Terrence O'Brien