Google and Shankar Mahadevan Release AI-Composed Song Using Music AI Sandbox

Details

• Google collaborated with Grammy-winning artist Shankar Mahadevan to produce the song "Rubaroo" using its Music AI Sandbox, announced on April 29, 2025.
• The project utilized Google DeepMind’s Lyria model and the TextFX AI tool to generate music samples and aid in lyric creation.
• Mahadevan used text prompts to create tabla and dholak instrumental samples, which were then looped and layered with his vocals and AI-generated arrangements in the studio.
• This initiative builds on prior Google music AI advancements, including updates to the Lyria model introduced during the 2025 I/O conference.
• Over 30 hours of studio work demonstrated how AI-generated arrangements can be combined with human creativity, with potential applications in film soundtracks.

Impact

This partnership highlights how AI can empower professional musicians while maintaining cultural authenticity in music production. Google’s focus on collaborative creativity with tools like Music AI Sandbox sets the stage for broader AI integration into global music and film workflows. The move also reinforces the growing trend of creative AI augmenting—not replacing—human artistry in complex genres.