Generative AI in music is frequently dismissed as a 'slop engine' — a source of technically functional but artistically hollow content. However, 1010Benja’s track 'Semiramis’ Dream' is challenging this narrative, suggesting that Suno AI can be a legitimate tool when guided by a distinct human vision.
A Labor-Intensive Hybrid Process
Contrary to the promise of 'one-click' creation, Benja’s workflow was exhaustive. He did not simply prompt Suno for a finished product. Instead, he employed a rigorous hybrid method:
- He recorded original human vocals and developed a beat with collaborator Patrick Holder.
- These elements were fed into Suno to generate variations.
- The outputs were brought into Ableton for manual editing and layering.
- This cycle of feeding and refining was repeated approximately a hundred times for a single track.
By leaning into a hyperpop aesthetic characterized by rapid-fire chops and heavily processed vocals, Benja successfully masks the 'uncanny' nature of the AI-generated elements, such as the backing children's choir.
The Ethics of Necessity
Benja is transparent about his methods; the song is explicitly marked as AI-generated on platforms like Deezer. His motivation is rooted less in technophilia and more in economic survival. Despite critical acclaim, Benja describes himself as a struggling artist who has faced homelessness.
"The only reason I’m using gen at all is because my visions are currently far beyond my means," he explains.
While acknowledging the environmental impact and the role of 'greedy corporations,' Benja adopts a somewhat nihilistic stance, arguing that the AI genie cannot be put back in the bottle. For him, the technology is a bridge between a lack of capital and a wealth of creative ambition.
