Boy George Isn’t Afraid Of AI; A Reborn ‘Karma Chameleon’ Proves Why

Hollywood & Entertainment Boy George Isn’t Afraid Of AI; A Reborn ‘Karma Chameleon’ Proves Why By Jeff Benjamin,

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Jeff Benjamin is a New York-based writer covering global pop music.Follow Author Jun 19, 2026, 06:30pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Summary Boy George is spearheading a new music venture, Artist Included, by re-releasing an AI-assisted version of his hit "Karma Chameleon." This initiative aims to empower artists, giving them control and better compensation for their catalogs, especially for legacy tracks where original contracts have expired. George views this as reclaiming ownership of his iconic song, which once generated millions but offered him little long-term value. The company, co-founded by Paul Kemsley and Robert Earl, leverages AI to create new, artist-owned masters, ensuring creators benefit from their work's enduring appeal. This model seeks to transform AI into an additive tool, rectifying historical industry imbalances and bringing artists back into the financial "party."

Boy GeorgeDean StockingsWhen Boy George first played his Culture Club bandmates a country-tinged hook of the song he was certain would go to No. 1, they told him it was “the worst idea ever.” He says he threatened to leave the band if it didn’t make the album, “absolutely convinced based on zero evidence that this song was going to be No. 1.” But he was right. “Karma Chameleon” made its way as the second single off 1983’s soul-steeped Colour by Numbers to spend three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and six weeks atop the U.K. singles chart. Today, the record has earned more than 900 million streams on Spotify alone while still commanding multi-million-dollar sync fees.