They identify a huge surge in tracks that few listen to after gen AI started.

The analysis is worth reading. The distribution is (Pareto)^3 ~99% of the tracks played are 1% of the catalogue.

1. Generate slop music no _human_ will ever listen to

2. Use a botnet to "play" this music en masse

3. Profit

This is a whole arms race, with companies (such as Beatdapp) specializing in detecting fraudulent plays.

Source: I work for a niche music retailer that struggles with the same issues on a smaller scale.