Universal Music Group and ElevenLabs announced a multi-year licensing agreement and strategic collaboration on 10 September, starting with a new AI music platform built for fans. It is ElevenLabs' first agreement with a major label.
The platform is still in development. When it arrives it will let fans co-create using music from participating artists and songwriters, through remixes, mashups, new track interpretations and personalised vocal experiences.
It is built on licensed music and artist participation, so artists opt in. The agreement also covers jointly developed AI audio products for artists and songwriters, plus further products and fan experiences described as coming in the months and years ahead.
Importantly, this will be a separate product. UMG and ElevenLabs both state it will be distinct from ElevenLabs’ existing music offerings, which are the Music API and the ElevenMusic creation app.
Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and chief executive of UMG, framed it around fan engagement. “UMG and ElevenLabs are aligned that responsible AI can inspire discovery, deepen engagement between artists and fans, and unlock new revenue opportunities for the creative community.”
ElevenLabs cofounder and chief executive Mati Staniszewski focused on the rights side. “By combining UMG’s global community and rights management expertise, with our AI models and products, we’ll enable artists and songwriters to create powerful new experiences for their fans, and ensure they are fairly compensated.”
ElevenLabs has been building toward a major deal for a year. It signed Merlin and Kobalt in August 2025, letting members opt in to AI training in exchange for royalties, and partnered with Splice in May. It raised $500 million earlier this year at an $11 billion valuation.
The timing on UMG’s side is the more revealing part. Suno launched its v6 models on 9 September with Warner Music Group, BMG and Believe as partners, and its chief product officer confirmed the training data contains nothing from Universal or Sony.
No launch date or pricing has been announced. UMG says the platform is now in development.
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