Picture credit: Drake performs at "Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert" in Atlanta in December 2022.

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Artificial Intelligence is a hot topic that permeates thetop levels of trendy conversations currently, it is the cool thing to talk about, but it’s important to understand that it isn’t a fad. Artificial Intelligence or for short, “A.I.” will quickly interrupt every aspect of human culture and will do so faster than expected, largely because it isn’t as new as we pretend, it’s been a long time coming. From science to art, all things will have some implementation of either Predictive A.I. or Generative A.I. There is a desire to resist and refute these advances just as there was with the car, microwave, cell phone and every other advancement that has existed, and as always, the resistance fails. The resistance of progress is almost always futile because it isn’t innate for humans to shy away from progress that makes life easier, more convenient, or safer.

In this instancethe entertainment industry has been the focus of the push for and against more usage of A.I. Artist have staged strikes, protested, and fought to re organize contracts to improve protections over their licensing and images, but the question is what are the motivations on both sides? Some of this is motivated to fight music corporations that were intending on taking advantage of the vulnerabilities in contracts already created by artist along with streaming companies and the like, some of this was also motivated by artist themselves seeking to leverage A.I. in an artistic manner to enable themselves to take more chances on different genres. Some of it was also motivated by the desire of artists to produce faster and more rapidly with less work. If we believe that A.I. is a bad thing for art, then we are likely all guilty, but we are also responsible for the positive that it has created, this is what progress is.

The 2024 year inhip hop has been rife with interesting connections, rivalries, and competition, some of it was surprising, but much of it was predictable, yet exciting because we were waiting for that level of energy. Many fans longed for the days in
which MCs battled back and forth song for song to see who created the more amazing or poignant music, make no mistake about it…hip hop is a competitive are and musicians in every genre are competitive. So we were in a period of seeing the top MC’s of the 10-15 years at a minimum compete while still in their prime, it is akin to the golden era of hip hop, and it comes into play in a necessary era as hip hop was falling off to an over dependence on auto-tune, fake empowerment twerking genre and the over indulgences on fake drug dealers and users. The fans were tired and wanted to her rappers rap and so the rappers started rapping again for short period, however within that period we recognized that many things have changed since that class of rappers entered the game and as always those to have adjusted the best to the new world tend to fair better in the new battles.

Drake's use of artificial intelligence (AI) on his diss track "Taylor Made Freestyle" was a masterstroke in terms of generating buzz. By incorporating AI-generated verses supposedly from rap legends Tupac and Snoop Dogg, he upped the ante in his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar. This audacious move not only reignited the rap battle but also sparked a fierce debate about the ethics and future of AI in hip hop.

The ethical concerns surrounding AI in hip hop are multifaceted. Purists argue that AI-generated lyrics lack the authenticity and soul that come from a rapper's lived experiences. They see it as a cheap way to imitate the greats, diminishing the artistry of crafting original rhymes. Additionally, the unauthorized use of someone's voice, even through AI simulation, raises questions about ownership and respect for intellectual property.

However, dismissing AI entirely ignores its potential. Just as samplers revolutionized music in the 80s, AI can be a powerful tool for creative exploration. Imagine rappers using AI to generate unique beats or lyrical hooks that push the boundaries of conventional hip hop. AI could also be used to personalize music experiences, tailoring rhymes and themes to resonate with individual listeners.

The key lies in finding a balance. AI shouldn't replace the core elements of hip hop - the raw talent, the lived experiences poured into lyrics, and the competitive spirit that fuels rivalries. But used strategically and ethically, AI can be a powerful tool for expanding the sonic palette and pushing the boundaries of the genre. Just as Drake's gambit sparked conversation, so too can AI spark a new wave of innovation in hip hop, as artists learn to harness its potential while staying true to the genre's core values.