A notable trend indicates that users of Suno are increasingly opting for AI-generated musical content over traditionally produced music.
Within the Suno subreddit, an concerning pattern has emerged: individuals are not merely generating AI songs but are predominantly consuming their self-created tracks. Several users openly declare their complete abandonment of conventional streaming platforms, dedicating their listening habits solely to AI-generated content.
This sentiment is echoed in various user comments, such as: "Does anyone just listen to their own music now and not even music on Spotify anymore.?" Another user asserts, "I definitely listen to my own music most of the time now. Why wouldn’t I? It’s album after album of bangers." The phenomenon is described as an "infectious addiction," with one user confessing, "Guilty as charged. It’s an infectious addiction, and I love it." Others express surprise at not being alone in their habit: "I thought I was the only one that had an addiction to suno." Quantifiable evidence also surfaces, with one individual noting, "Last.fm says I listened to my own (AI music) 2239 times in the last 365 days." Another user adds, "Definitely dude I’ve produced hundreds of songs and yeah I hardly ever use Spotify bc I favor my own stuff more," indicating a strong preference for personal AI creations.
To understand the rationale behind users' preference for AI-generated content over music by human artists, I contacted over a dozen individuals who had posted in r/SunoAI about their primary listening habits. However, none were willing to provide an on-record explanation for favoring Suno's "hollow, polished-to-death output" over the meticulously honed craft of lifelong musicians and songwriters.
Lacking direct interviews, I delved into Reddit posts for insights, uncovering a primary explanation: "The music I’ve generated is without a doubt better matched to my taste than most music made by real artists/bands."
Another user elaborated, stating, "Yes I definitely just listen to my own music now. It is the only place I can get the far out genres — country/rap and electronic dance/rap."
This assertion, however, suggests a lack of thorough exploration; discovering music that aligns with one's tastes or "far out genres" is often a matter of more diligent searching. Regarding the specific examples of "country/rap and electronic dance/rap," while initially appearing to be a troll, a review of the user's Reddit history indicates genuine intent.
In reality, country-inflected hip hop has existed almost since the genre's inception, with Blowfly's 1980 track "Blowfly’s Rapp" serving as an early precedent. This claim also overlooks contemporary artists like Kid Rock, Bubba Sparxxx, Big & Rich, and the widespread success of Lil Nas X’s "Old Town Road."
Furthermore, hip hop has been intrinsically connected with dance music from its origins. Afrika Bambaataa famously sampled Kraftwerk, Snap!'s "The Power" included multiple verses by rapper Turbo B, and Vince Staples’ album *Big Fish Theory* draws significantly from UK Garage, featuring production by the late Sophie. Distinct subgenres such as Hip House, Electro Rap, and Crunk further exemplify this fusion, prominently incorporating synthesizers and catering to dance floor audiences.
Consequently, two primary theories emerge to explain this phenomenon: narcissism or laziness.
YouTuber and bassist Adam Neely strongly suggests this trend is largely fueled by narcissism, potentially a consequence of hyper-personalization. While acknowledging a narcissistic component, I personally lean towards laziness as a more significant factor. Humans are naturally inclined towards instant gratification; the appeal of generating music with a simple prompt, rather than dedicating years to mastering an instrument, is powerful. Suno thus offers a convenient shortcut for those who aspire to be perceived as musicians but are unwilling to invest the time in traditional learning.
Even for those who merely wish to consume music without artistic aspirations, discovering enjoyable tracks requires effort. The current era of streaming, self-distribution, and the fragmentation of global monoculture can make media consumption overwhelming. When algorithms prove ineffective, major music outlets fail to align with personal tastes, or social circles don't offer guidance to navigate the vast landscape, the search for desired music can be frustrating. This process demands considerable time and effort even under optimal conditions, leading some to embrace AI as a means to circumvent the need to explore platforms like Bandcamp or engage with communities such as Record Club.
This perspective might clarify why individuals were reluctant to speak with me. The Suno subreddit functions as a secure and supportive environment where users engaging in similar practices feel no insecurity or embarrassment. Within this protective bubble, mutual support flourishes, and it is understandable that no one wishes to be publicly labeled as lazy or narcissistic.
A third possibility remains: perhaps these users simply lack a genuine passion for music or art, and consequently, feel no compulsion to defend their low-effort engagement with it.
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