‘Hawak Mo ang Beat’ composer denies use of AI in viral song

The upbeat song “Hawak Mo ang Beat” has been making waves across various social media platforms and continues to hook listeners with its catchy rhythm and feel-good vibe, inspiring countless dance videos online.

According to Katrina Son’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the song was produced by DJ Mogo, also known as Sylvain Hernandez, a French national who created the track with the help of his Filipina wife.

“The traditional and super fun cha-cha feeling from the Visayas really stuck with me, actually. So in ‘Hawak Mo ang Beat,’ there is this light, this bouncy, and this joyful vibe that brings everyone together on the dance floor. That's the true philosophy that guided me in creating that song,” DJ Mogo explained. 

However, amid its success, online discussions heated up after some netizens speculated that the song was created using artificial intelligence.

DJ Mogo firmly denied these claims.

“No any part of the song was generated by AI. Authentic, 100 percent made with my hands and my love for the Philippines,” he said.

“I just want the people to focus on the music itself. If you like the beat and the energy, then tara lets dance on it. Let's enjoy it,” he added.

The issue of AI-generated music has become a timely issue in the music industry, sparking concern among local artists. 

For Pablo of SB19, AI is a powerful tool—but one that must be used responsibly.

“Siguro po, not at the expense of 'yung ninanakaw na 'yung identity ng mga artists, 'yung creative works,” Pablo said in a recent press conference.

He believes that using artists’ output without consent is unethical and should be considered illegal.

“For sure, 'yung mga artists na iyan, from ground up binuild nila kung sino sila. Talagang pinaghirapan nila 'yung mga nilalabas nila and kung paano sila nabuo as a person. So for these software or companies to use it without their consent, I think it’s very unethical, and I think it should be illegal,” he said.

Pablo also called for stricter regulations on AI, urging developers to enforce tighter rules and ensure that artists have full control over the use of their identity and works.

“Sana po, 'yung mga gumagawa man ng ganitong mga innovation, dapat mas patindihin pa nila 'yung rules or maging strict sila pagdating sa paggamit," said Pablo. 

"Or siguro, dapat 'yung mga artists, artists has the sole control if gusto nilang ipagamit ‘yung identity nila, ‘yung personality nila, or creative outputs nila sa mga ganitong klaseng tool,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Inc. (FILSCAP) has urged users of generative AI tools to act responsibly and ensure that any material used is properly licensed.

“Users who are using these tools to create generative AI music should do that responsibly and make sure that the work that they are using is actually licensed work,” said FILSCAP General Counsel Atty. Ivan Viktor Mendez.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News