warner music signs record deal with first AI virtual popstar noonoouri

Noonoouri’s Dominoes single Debuts with Warner Music

Warner Music has made history by signing a record deal with Noonoouri, the first AI virtual pop singer and Instagram influencer. Noonoouri is unlike any other artist as she exists solely as a digital entity on the internet, free from human limitations such as aging, fatigue, and sleep. On September 1, 2023, the metaverse avatar entered the music scene with a track called Dominoes, and it has already garnered more than 60,000 views on YouTube. The debut single is a collaboration with the 38-year-old German DJ Alle Farben, marking the beginning of her artistic journey.

In an Instagram post, she shares: ‘Music plays a big role in my life since the beginnings. It sets me into the mood and nourishes my visions and ideas to bring them to life as a driving force inside of me. Warner Music is the home of a lot of my fave music artists. I cannot be more thankful and honoured to join such a wonderful family, where music tunes are the beat of life.’

What distinguishes Noonoouri as an artist is her AI-generated singing voice. Although her voice may have a somewhat raspy quality due to AI manipulation, it demonstrates the advancements in artificial intelligence technology. Her voice was created using generative AI, a technology that takes existing data and transforms it into something entirely new. The process started with a recording of a human singer, which was then modified to give the digital influencer her unique vocal identity. It’s worth noting that the songwriters, singers, and musicians who contributed to Dominoes will receive royalties and publishing splits, similar to conventional music production.

Noonoouri with DJ Alle Farben | all images by Noonoouri

who is noonoouri?

Noonoouri, brought to life by 43-year-old graphic designer Joerg Zuber from Munich, began her career at the age of 19 and has taken the fashion world by storm with over 200,000 Instagram followers and collaborations with top brands. Zuber introduced the character to the public in late 2017, leading to partnerships with renowned labels like Marc Jacobs, Dior, and Versace. She has also been featured in advertising for Kim Kardashian’s makeup line and has established connections with supermodels like Naomi Campbell. Noonoouri’s digital presence extends beyond music, as she is known for promoting veganism, sustainable fashion, and opposing the use of fur in the fashion industry.

For Joerg Zuber, Noonoouri represents a lifelong dream rooted in his fascination with the world of fashion, which began when he bought his first fashion magazine at the age of five. He views fashion as a symbol of freedom, and Noonoouri embodies that freedom for him. Zuber chose to create Noonoouri as an avatar character rather than striving for a hyper-realistic look, a decision aimed at highlighting her distinctiveness.

songwriting camp hosted at the Five Palm Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai