Timbaland is now the co-founder of Stage Zero, an A.I. entertainment company. Their first signed artist is TaTa, created by Suno AI. The Grammy-winning producer is set to handle the production for Stage Zero, creating a new genre called “A-Pop” (artificial pop).
BABY TIMBO aka SUNO is officially YOUNG TIMBO. Version 4.5 IS OUT They grow up so fasttt @SunoMusic pic.twitter.com/zwJ4zIRXnS
— Timbaland (@Timbaland) May 1, 2025
Timbaland & Suno AI Collaboration
TaTa was created from Suno AI’s “Persona” feature, which lets users find a voice profile from a generation to be reused on multiple songs. The character is set to have a social media presence and music videos that are derived from AI video tools. The company’s goals are to have TaTa and other personas become influencers who eventually make their way into film and television.
“I’m not just producing tracks anymore. I’m producing systems, stories, and stars from scratch. [TaTa] is not an avatar. She is not a character. TaTa is a living, learning, autonomous music artist built with AI. TaTa is the start of something bigger. She’s the first artist of a new generation. A-Pop is the next cultural evolution, and TaTa is its first icon,” Timbaland said in a statement.
A-Pop will be created by Suno, which makes new content from existing media, inputting human-made creations and pulling from its massive database to create an output. For instance, a song will begin with a Timabaland demo being uploaded to the Suno platform, which outputs a revised version in other musical styles. Human songwriters get added on after this process.
Introducing v4.5+
New ways to create.Unlock 4.5+ and push your sound further. Swap vocals, flip instrumentals, or spark a song from any playlist—it’s creativity, upgraded. pic.twitter.com/uwFYaGmYs0
— Suno (@SunoMusic) July 17, 2025
Not Everyone Supports A.I. In Music
Despite the innovative nature of Timbaland’s latest venture, not everyone is in support of him launching an AI music company. Young Guru has been vocal in his opposition to AI, stating in an Instagram comment, “I swear I love you bro but this ain’t it. Do you not realize what is going on in the world. Your voice is powerful and way too important to do anything like this. I have students who worship you. They are going to say ‘if Tim can do it, then it is ok for me to do it.’ […] Human expression can never be reduced to this!!! This is way bigger than music!!!”
The entrepreneur has responded to critics by saying that those who are threatened by AI were already inadequate artists and that people should give him some grace, given his status in the music industry. While on The Inner Court Podcast, the record producer shared that AI ” [is] the only entity that embodies a genuine soul right now. It allows for the expression of true feelings, resulting in it coming out beautiful.”
Meanwhile, other artists like 50 Cent are also gravitating towards A.I. use in their music. Still, fans are torn.
Do you think we should have AI artists? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
Image Credit: Prince Williams / Contributor | Getty Images
