Josh Fawaz’s Madonna rework tops Australian radio charts while drawing AI criticism

Lebanese-Australian producer and DJ Josh Fawaz has topped Australia's National Radio Airplay Chart with his house-infused rework of Madonna's 'Like A Prayer', a track that has prompted allegations of artificial intelligence being used in its production.

As Mixmag ANZ's Jack Colquhoun reports, Fawaz reached the top of Australia's National Radio Airplay Chart with the remix, which appears on his 14-track debut album, 'Dance Like Nobody's Watching', released late last month. The album is built almost entirely around reworked versions of widely recognised songs. Alongside 'Like A Prayer', a two-minute track that does not credit a vocalist on streaming platforms, the record also draws on lyrics from songs including 'Wonderwall', 'Return of the Mack', 'No Scrubs', 'Sexual Healing' and 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun'.

The release has attracted criticism from producers and listeners, with some alleging that the use of artificial intelligence is "blatant". Among the points raised are the absence of vocal credits, the short running times of the tracks, the perceived "low effort" nature of the productions and the pace of Fawaz's recent output.

In an Instagram video posted last month, producer Needs No Sleep compared a track Fawaz released on Beatport earlier in 2026 with his more recent material, arguing that the difference was significant. “It’s not the same producer at all. Not even remotely close,” he commented.

Fawaz later addressed the discussion in the comments section of the same video, writing, “...I use ai as a tool it’s not that deep, iv been releasing music way before AI was invented. What I care about it providing my listeners with good music…”

Mixmag ANZ contacted Josh Fawaz for comment regarding his use of AI, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

[Via Mixmag ANZ]