By Hussein Boon
Publication Date: 2025-12-24 14:40:00
Voice cloning technology platforms like ElevenLabs allow anyone to reproduce a voice with just a few seconds of audio for a small fee. These technologies are changing cultural and artistic expression.
In 2023, Canadian musician Grimes released a clone of her voice and said, “It’s cool to be merged with a machine.” Similarly, American composer Holly Herndon launched Holly+ in 2021 as a voice tool that sings music with a “distinctive processed voice.”
These women-led examples demonstrate working with the creative challenges of voice technologies, and in some ways are nothing new: Electronic music pioneer and composer Suzanne Ciani decades ago developed a technological approach to incorporate a male persona named “Steve” into her compositions when a male voice was required.
Some male producers also use language exchange technologies to present themselves as female artists. British researcher and musician Helen Reddington observed the following:…