While other industry figures seem to support or at least tolerate artificial intelligence in music, Young Guru firmly speaks against it. Moreover, he warned the industry of the dangers of the technology upon hearing a Kendrick Lamar voice filter and an AI-generated Jay-Z verse. Now, he recently reacted to Timbaland’s plans to commercialize AI, which would in theory enable artists to obtain “exclusive rights” to use the voices of late musical legends. Of course, neither party will be able to control or regulate AI in music by themselves. However, perhaps the legendary engineer has led the way for more hesitation from artists when it comes to this innovation.
“@timbaland I love you my brother,” Young Guru wrote on his Instagram Story, reposting a report about the producer’s endeavors. “You know I do. But this ain’t it!!! This is dangerous and at a basic level it’s corny!! I will be on the side of the Luddites.” Sure, many might find it corny in and of itself to compare the movement against AI to a 19th century revolution against textile machines. Still, it’s a more apt comparison than you might expect, because tech will progress no matter who is standing up against it.
Read More: Young Guru Calls Out People Writing Hip Hop Books With “Wrong” History
Young Guru’s Message To Timbaland
Regardless, the 49-year-old’s efforts to vocalize the dangers of artificial intelligence in music are quite commendable. If anything, these conversations should point to a middle ground of understanding that this should, at the very least, be regulated in some way. After all, a lot of the more popular uses of AI have been for meme videos, light-hearted reimaginations of tracks, or other non-threatening uses. The issue could stem from the industry trying to profit off of this and use it to benefit artists’ laziness or lack of creativity. In the worst cases, it blurs the line between a legitimate release and making money off of another’s likeness or false work without their permission.
Meanwhile, Timbaland was very excited to share his AI Biggie Smalls “collab.” “We know that it’s a lot of talk about AI and we know how the feelings of violating certain things,” he remarked. “But let me tell you something: I got a solution, I’m working on it. It’s gon’ be beneficial to everybody. I gotta share something I’ve been working on because I always wanted to do this and I never got a chance to. I always wanted to work with Big and I never got a chance to.” For more news on AI music and the latest updates on Young Guru, stick around on HNHH.
Read More: Rappers Who Cheated Death: Timbaland, Kanye & More