Timbaland is stepping boldly into the future of music with the launch of Stage Zero, his new AI-focused entertainment company. This move marks a fresh chapter for the Grammy-winning producer as he introduces TaTa, an AI-generated artist designed to pioneer a genre he calls “A-pop,” or artificial pop.
According to Rolling Stone, Stage Zero was co-founded by Timbaland and film producer Rocky Mudaliar, who describes TaTa as a first glimpse into blending cutting-edge technology with music artistry. Timbaland’s fascination with AI music began last year when he started working with Suno, a generative AI music tool created by a company where he now serves as creative director. He shared how he uploaded unfinished song demos and was immediately captivated by the AI-generated voice. “It came to a point where I’m like, ‘Yo, this voice, it’s amazing.’”
While the release date for TaTa’s debut single remains under wraps, the team behind Stage Zero is already crafting her identity as a fully realized digital artist. A striking image of TaTa, featuring a young woman with vibrant pink hair, has been released, and the company plans to build her presence across social media platforms to connect with fans.
AI’s role in music remains controversial, with many in the industry still wrestling with the implications for creativity and copyright. Suno itself is facing legal challenges from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which accuses the platform of training its AI models using millions of copyrighted songs without permission. Given this backdrop, Timbaland’s commitment to AI-generated music has sparked mixed feelings among fans and industry insiders alike. Despite the debate, Timbaland is clearly committed to pushing boundaries—and the era of A-pop may be just getting started.