AI music generator Udio is hiring a Head of Artist Partnerships with a salary up to $350,000, a move first highlighted by The AI Musicpreneur, as it pivots from legal battles to building a licensed music platform with the industry's biggest players.
- The peacemaker role: The new executive will spearhead negotiations to bring artists and labels onto Udio's upcoming platform, according to the company's job posting. This position is central to building out the "artist-first" ecosystem that was a core component of its recent settlements.
- From lawsuits to handshakes: The strategy marks a sharp reversal from mid-2024, when the company faced a sweeping RIAA lawsuit over mass copyright infringement. After settling with Universal Music and Warner Music in late 2025, Udio's new service will pay creators who opt-in to have their work used for AI-generated remixes and new songs.
- An edge in the race: The collaborative approach gives Udio an advantage over its chief rival, Suno, which remains entangled in legal battles with Universal Music and Sony Music. By resolving its major legal hurdles, Udio has a clearer path to building a licensed service with the music industry's blessing.
Udio's "operate first, then legitimize" playbook could set the precedent for how AI companies transition from disruptive outsiders to licensed partners, but critical questions around revenue sharing and artist control remain.