Boy George Reclaims “Karma Chameleon” with AI-Enhanced Re-Recording

British singer Boy George, co-founder of Artist Included, released AI-assisted re-recording of Culture Club’s 1983 hit “Karma Chameleon.” The version uses a fresh vocal by George, with AI adjusting pitch, texture and key to match the original, and is distributed with BMG.

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Four decades, the master of “Karma Chameleon” generated sync fees that bypassed George. A 2023 Virgin/Branson campaign paid the master owners while George received none, prompting manager Paul “PK” Kemsley to explore AI as a way to regain control. In early 2024 Artist Included recorded a new vocal; AI refined it to the 1983 tonal profile. George’s backstage reaction in Boston was emotional, repeatedly saying “You’re lying, you’re lying” before acknowledging the track’s authenticity. AI-enhanced version was released in June 2024, marking George’s 65th birthday.

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Key participants include Boy George (vocalist), Paul “PK” Kemsley (manager and co-founder), Jeremy Rosen (co-founder), BMG (distribution partner), Syntiant (AI technology partner), and members Roy Hay, Mikey Craig and producer Steve Levine, whose performances remain on the track.

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George called the AI version a “secret weapon” that lets him influence song uses and stressed that the process still required his live performance and imagination. George also said AI can serve as a writing tool that expands rather than narrows creative work. Kemsley described the workflow as consent-driven, returning “voice, power, control and youth” to creator while using only non-copyright-protected demos and recordings, asserting no copyright breach.

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The release occurs amid industry debate over unauthorized voice cloning and AI-generated songs, with critics warning that such technologies can exploit artists’ vocal identities without consent. Some observers warn that AI-generated replicas could challenge the principle of consent that underlies the use of original recordings.

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If adopted broadly, the model could let legacy artists regain control of catalogues, create new sync revenue, and shape standards for AI use in music by linking consent to technology. The model may influence copyright discussions by demonstrating a pathway for artists to generate derivative works without infringing on existing masters.

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• “It always fills the room with love,” — Boy George, singer

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• “I always embrace new technology,” — Boy George

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• “The people who own ‘Karma Chameleon’ have been at a party that we haven’t been invited to for many, many years,” — Paul “PK” Kemsley, manager

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• “Nostalgia for an artist like me is—you have to definitely keep control of nostalgia, because it can end up swallowing everything you do,” — Boy George

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Kemsley says artist-owned re-recordings can be licensed for new syncs, letting performers engage directly with marketing and royalties. Artist Included plans to apply the consent-based AI workflow to additional legacy tracks.

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