AI-generated song by late Kurdish singer Ahmed Shamal trends on Iraqi social media

SULAYMANIYAH — A new song by the late Kurdish singer Ahmed Shamal, created using artificial intelligence, is gaining popularity on social media platforms across Iraq. The song, titled “I Know,” was released two weeks ago remains a trending topic on Snapchat.

Shamal, born in Sulaymaniyah in 1923, was a prominent Kurdish singer known for his songs about love, life experiences, and his homeland. He passed away in 1997.

The new song combines traditional Kurdish folk elements with contemporary music production techniques. “The first part of the melody is mine, and the second part is folkloric,” musician Dawan Star, who created the song using AI, explained in an interview with 964media. “Maziar Fayeq wrote the lyrics, and I used the latest technology in production.”

Despite Shamal’s death nearly 30 years ago, his voice continues to resonate with audiences. While those familiar with his original works might find the AI rendition less appealing, the song appears to be captivating younger generations.

Star, a computer science student at the University of Sulaymaniyah, said he plans to continue creating music using AI systems. He has previously worked on projects for the late Iranian singer Hayedeh.