Slipknot co-founder says AI is like “a professor in my pocket” – and it’s cheaper than a $150k producer who “might not even work with me”
The role of Artificial Intelligence in music-making has been one of the most debated topics of late – and Slipknot’s Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan is among the few heavy metal musicians speaking openly in its favour.
In a recent interview with The Escapist, the Slipknot co-founder and percussionist praises AI as “a professor in my pocket who only wants to do what I ask it.”
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“I’m employing AI 190 percent,” Clown says, explaining that he’s been using it “my whole life” as a tool to refine his work. Over the years, he claims to have transformed “thousands and thousands” of poems he’s written since he was young into new creative forms.
Demonstrating how he uses the tech, Clown tells the publication: “Here are my words. Don’t change them. Don’t alter them. But show me some different ways to sing it.”
The musician also points out the financial benefits of AI, comparing it to hiring a big-name producer – which could cost a small fortune:
“What’s the difference between me pulling out my pocket producer… or me trying to get a famous producer that might not even work with me and could potentially cost me $150,000… who will only give me one or two ways – I’m not mentioning any names!”
Still, Clown stresses the human element remains essential: “But it’s still going to take me to sing it. And it will never be like it was,” he adds. “None of it can work without you, the human. It’s a giant oracle… but it needs you.”
Crahan’s embrace of AI comes amid widespread controversy over the technology’s role in music creation. Critics have raised concerns over copyright and the value of human musical expression – a debate that’s seen contributions from rock’s wider community. Guitar legend Brian May, for one, recently warned that AI training on copyrighted material could make music creation ‘unaffordable’ for artists, while blues‑rock guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd said that AI-created music might become the norm even if it lacks the depth of a “fallible human”.
By contrast, not everyone in Slipknot’s orbit shares Clown’s optimism. Frontman Corey Taylor has been openly critical of AI‑generated music, telling Kerrang! in 2023 that he “can’t stand it” and “don’t care for any of that crap”.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
