Universal Music Group (UMG) and AI technology company SoundLabs have released the first AI-driven song from their recent partnership: a Spanish version of Brenda Lee’s 1958 holiday classic Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree. This version, titled Noche Buena y Navidad, was produced by Latin Grammy winner Auero Baqueiro and incorporates the original music and background vocals, while a new Spanish-language lead vocal replaces Lee’s original.
The song, out now on MCA Nashville and UMe (UMG’s global catalog division), was created with SoundLabs’ MicDrop AI vocal plugin, an innovative tool that can transform voices into different languages or even instruments. According to UMG, Noche Buena y Navidad represents the first time a music company has released a classic hit adapted into a new language using “ethically trained AI”—a process done with the artist’s permission and input.
Brenda Lee expressed her excitement for the project, stating, “I am so blown away by this new Spanish version of ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,’ which was created with the help of AI. Throughout my career, I performed and recorded many songs in different languages, but I never recorded ‘Rockin’’ in Spanish, which I would have loved to do. To have this out now is pretty incredible, and I’m happy to introduce the song to fans in a new way.”
UMG’s collaboration with SoundLabs comes as the music giant continues exploring AI’s possibilities for responsibly expanding its artists’ creative reach. Bruce Resnikoff, President & CEO of UMe, expressed enthusiasm about this adaptation and future AI possibilities. “We are thrilled to work with Brenda Lee to make ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ the first classic song translated responsibly into another language with the power of AI,” he said.
UMG Nashville Chair & CEO Cindy Mabe echoed this sentiment, celebrating the enduring legacy of Brenda Lee’s voice, calling it “the official start of Christmas.” She added, “We are all so excited for this new Spanish version created with the help of AI from that legendary voice and approved by Brenda Lee herself to help celebrate this enduring, timeless classic.”
SoundLabs founder BT described the project as a “tremendously exciting showcase” for their MicDrop plugin. “Training a model based on the 13-year-old Brenda Lee, using original masters, was both a rewarding challenge and a creative breakthrough,” he said. “We’re thrilled with how this technology breathes new life into a beloved Christmas classic, blending innovation with tradition in a truly human way.”
This release also aligns with UMG’s advocacy for responsible AI use in the music industry. Recently, Brenda Lee joined hundreds of artists in support of the NO FAKES Act, bipartisan legislation designed to protect artists from unauthorized AI recreations of their voices and likenesses.
