ElevenLabs launched Music v2.5 on September 11, 2026, announcing Music v2.5 as “our best music model yet” and detailing lossless download limits and commercial-use terms for ElevenMusic users; the phrase “ElevenLabs launched Music v2.5 – shortly after announcing its UMG licensing deal. – Music Business Worldwide” appears in coverage of the timing.
ElevenLabs said Music v2.5 is now the default in ElevenMusic and the ElevenLabs API, with the company writing that the model produces “more layered and complex” songs and that in a blind test across 47,885 pairs v2.5 was the preferred take the majority of the time.
The ElevenLabs blog also lists practical changes: Free users get five lossless downloads per day while Pro users receive 400 lossless downloads per month, and downloads are blocked for tracks that reference other artists’ songs, the company said.
Separately, ElevenLabs and Universal Music Group announced a multi-year licensing agreement and strategic collaboration that will begin with a new AI-powered music creation platform built on licensed music and artist participation, the companies said on their blog posts and press release.
ElevenLabs stressed the UMG project will be a distinct platform, “offered separately from our existing music products,” and described the collaboration as covering licensing and product development to enable fan-facing remixes, mashups and new track interpretations.
Music industry outlets noted the close timing between the two announcements: Music Business Worldwide’s report framed the launch of Music v2.5 as coming shortly after the UMG licensing deal was revealed, while ElevenLabs’ blog itself calls the UMG agreement “our first agreement with a major label.”
Context matters for creators: ElevenLabs’ product post emphasizes that “you own what you make in ElevenMusic” and that existing permissions stay with tracks even if a user cancels or downgrades. The company also said the UMG collaboration is focused on responsible, artist-centered AI experiences.
What this means for the wider industry is still unfolding. UMG framed the tie-up as a way to “unlock new revenue opportunities for the creative community,” and ElevenLabs highlighted artist compensation and participation as central to the partnership in its announcement.
For readers tracking AI music detection and industry moves, see our guide on identifying machine-made tracks and a recent music-industry merger for broader context.
How to detect AI-generated music and BMG completes Concord merger provide background on detection and industry consolidation.
Sources
- ElevenLabs — blog post “Introducing Music v2.5, our best music model yet” with model details, download limits, and blind-test claim.
- ElevenLabs — blog post announcing a “multi-year licensing agreement and strategic collaboration” with Universal Music Group and describing the separate fan-facing platform.
- Music Business Worldwide — coverage noting Music v2.5 launched shortly after ElevenLabs announced its UMG licensing deal.
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