Boy George Turns To AI To Reanimate ’80s Hit

Boy George is revisiting one of pop’s most omnipresent hits with both artificial intelligence and a new company built to reshape how artists control their catalogs.

The Culture Club frontman has unveiled a reworked version of 1983’s “Karma Chameleon” using AI-assisted audio tools to recreate the tonal character of his younger voice while recording new vocals in the present day. The track, which can be sampled below, serves as the launch moment for Artist Included, an artist-led music technology company focused on what it calls “ethical AI” and creator ownership.

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Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, George conceded the technological limitations of that era and how echo, reverb and “a lot of trickery” were the only ways to cover “if you weren’t perfectly in tune.” With that hurdle leapfrogged, the artist approached the new “Karma” performance with precision while still aiming to capture the feel of the original record.

“I had to sing it with the same nuance that I did when I was 22,” he said. “Because over the years, you perform a song millions of times, it changes shape. It becomes more bluesy. ‘Karma Chameleon’ as a song [is] massively powerful and iconic in connection to who I am and what I’ve created. And to have some control over it [is] invigorating. It makes me feel excited about the song again.”

The project is the first public release from Artist Included, co-founded by entrepreneur/George manager Paul “PK” Kemsley and entertainment attorney and producer Jeremy Rosen. According to its backers, the company is designed to help artists build new recordings from existing material while retaining consent, control and participation in future revenue streams generated by AI-assisted works.

Technology partner Syntiant provides the underlying system, which uses machine learning to separate, restore and enhance audio performances while preserving vocal identity and intent. “The artist’s newly recorded performance remains the foundation of the process,” said Syntiant engineering director Kristyn Jones. “The AI helps capture the tonal qualities listeners recognize while preserving the phrasing, emotion and creative intent that only the artist can provide.”

Syntiant CEO Kurt Busch added that the collaboration demonstrates “what’s possible when artists remain at the center of the creative process,” positioning the technology as a tool for preservation rather than replacement.

For George, the project is ultimately about authorship in the AI era. “To have some control over singing this song is very exciting,” he said. “[It’s] something I never thought would be possible.”

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.