TLDR: Lucas Horne, known as “The BTO Kid,” has been shortlisted for the inaugural Future Sound Awards, an event celebrating artificial intelligence in music. After suffering a brain bleed in 2016 that affected his speech, Horne utilized AI to overcome vocal limitations and produce music, showcasing the technology’s transformative impact on creative expression. The winners of the awards are anticipated to be announced later in September.
Lucas Horne, a 26-year-old artist from Nottinghamshire, known as ‘The BTO Kid,’ has been named one of 15 creators globally to be shortlisted for the inaugural Future Sound Awards. These awards, launched by the Fanvue World AI Creator Awards, aim to celebrate and highlight the ethical use of artificial intelligence in music. Horne’s journey to this recognition is particularly poignant, as AI has provided him with a ‘musical voice’ after a life-altering event.
In December 2016, at the age of 17, Lucas suffered a severe, traumatic brain bleed due to an undiagnosed arteriovenous malformation (AVM). He remained in a coma for nearly four months, and the subsequent three years were dedicated to recovery in a care home, where he struggled with walking and speech. During this challenging period, writing became a crucial outlet for his thoughts and emotions. “During my care home days when I couldn’t really express myself very well – I still can’t – but I could write about it, it was an outlet for me,” he shared with Sky News. “Since I woke up, I’ve been writing… but for a long time I couldn’t record anything.”
Despite years of physical recovery, Lucas found his voice had changed, becoming monotone and lacking the ability to convey emotion as he envisioned his songs. This frustration led him to artificial intelligence. “It never sounded how I had [it in] my head,” he explained. By turning to AI-powered music production platforms like TwoShot, Lucas was able to create his shortlisted track, ‘AI Gave Me A Voice,’ using prompts alongside his melodic rap-inspired lyrics. The opening line, “I pinch myself every day because this just can’t be true,” reflects his disbelief and gratitude for how far he has come.
Horne’s story exemplifies the positive impact AI can have on accessibility in the creative arts. “AI is lowering the barriers to entry for a lot of things,” he noted, acknowledging that while there are negatives, the technology can empower individuals who otherwise couldn’t record music. He sees himself as a testament to AI’s potential for good, stating, “I’ve been able to use AI to express how I’m feeling. It’s been big for me to create [music] that I’m proud of.”
The use of AI in creative industries remains a contentious topic, with concerns ranging from copyright infringement and human replacement to the ethical training of AI models. These issues fueled the Hollywood actors’ and writers’ strikes in 2023 and a recent video game actor strike. However, the technology’s presence is undeniable, with the International Music Summit’s latest annual business report indicating 60 million users of AI software last year, marking a ‘breakout’ year for AI in music.
Lucas, who was initially wary of AI after seeing image generators ‘stealing’ artists’ work, found that embracing it made him ‘quicker’ and ‘more creative.’ He believes AI can ultimately ‘grow the industry,’ though he agrees with criticisms regarding the unauthorized use of human artists’ work and voice impersonation. Narcis Marincat, head of AI at Fanvue, emphasized that the stories behind the shortlisted songs, including Lucas’s, reveal a “richness and human emotion,” offering a different perspective on AI’s positive impact in music by showcasing the real people behind the technology.
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The Future Sound Awards will announce their winners later in September, with Lucas Horne standing as a powerful example of how AI can unlock new avenues for artistic expression and personal triumph.
