Why Boy George Recorded a New Version of 'Karma Chameleon' Using AI for His 65th Birthday (Exclusive)
Why Boy George Recorded a New Version of 'Karma Chameleon' Using AI for His 65th Birthday (Exclusive)
Ilana KaplanMon, June 15, 2026 at 12:05 PM UTC
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Boy George tells PEOPLE why he decided to record an AI-enhanced version of "Karma Chameleon" for his 65th birthday
The new version of the song features George's new vocals in-studio and uses "ethical technology to support the final recording," per a press release
The song marks the launch of Artist Included, an artist-first AI music company focused on creator ownership and ethical re-recordings
To mark his 65th birthday, Boy George has put a new spin on one of Culture Club's hits.
The British singer, songwriter and DJ (real name George Dowd) has always "embraced new things" and began exploring the use of AI, which he is currently using a lot to write.
"There was no real technology like there is now," George tells PEOPLE of the recording process in the past. "So, there was a lot of echoes used, a lot of reverbs, a lot of trickery was used if you weren't perfectly in tune."
So, when the opportunity arose for George to create a version of the 1983 hit "Karma Chameleon" that featured new, original vocals from him and AI technology to get him to sound as close to the record as possible, he ended up taking the leap.
Boy GeorgeCredit: Dean Stockings
"I had to sing it with the same nuance that I did when I was 22, because over the years, you perform a song millions of times, it changes shape, it becomes something else. I would say it gets more bluesy. So it was really fun to go in, and [almost be] sort of Irish drunk singing along to your own song in a pub," he tells PEOPLE.
For this new version, which features all of the original lyrics, George teamed up once again with the song's original producer, Steve Levine, and opted to return to vocals from old demos.
"Karma Chameleon as a song, it's massively powerful and iconic in connection to who I am and what I've created," he says. "And to have some control over it, it's invigorating. It makes me feel excited about the song again. To have control over singing this song is very exciting, and something I never thought would be possible."
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The reborn recording of "Karma Chameleon" also marks the launch of Artist Included, an artist-first AI music company focused on creator ownership and ethical re-recordings, founded by entrepreneur Paul "PK" Kemsley, and entertainment attorney and film producer Jeremy Rosen.
Credit: Artist Included
"We're all about the artist," Kemsley tells PEOPLE. "As opposed to taking away from the creator, we're returning value to the creator with the use of this ethical AI."
He continues, "We found a way of giving artists the opportunity, over a certain age, it has nothing to do with whether they can sing. All the artists can sing. It has to do with whether we can recreate a competing record in the marketplace that any movie studio, advertiser, or anybody who wants to sync it, would be happy to use ours because it's identical. This is shifting power within the music industry, returning value to the creator."
Boy George in Tokyo in June 1983Credit: Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty
George adds, "'Karma Chameleon' sold so many copies. It was sort of a guilty pleasure. Who knew how much it would be emphasized over the years in my life?"
"Karma Chameleon" hit No. 1 in 16 countries, including several weeks atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song also went platinum in the U.K.
The reborn version of "Karma Chameleon" will be released and distributed by BMG, which owns Culture Club and George's global publishing.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
