Lil Wayne Isn’t Afraid Of AI Replicating Him Or His Music Because He Is ‘Naturally, Organically Amazing’

Lil Wayne “is still the greatest rapper alive,” according to Flo Milli, and Wayne isn’t particularly worried about his status on rap’s Mount Rushmore changing in the wake of AI.

On Wednesday (August 2), Wayne was revealed as the cover star of Billboard‘s annual “R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players” issue. This year, it’s doubling as a celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.

Within the accompanying cover story, Gail Mitchell asked Wayne for his opinion “on artificial intelligence and its potential effect on creativity.”

Wayne coolly replied, “Someone asked me about that recently. And they were trying to tell me that AI could make a voice that sounds just like me. But it’s not me, because I’m amazing. I’m like, is this AI thing going to be amazing too? Because I am naturally, organically amazing. I’m one of a kind. So actually, I would love to see that thing try to duplicate this motherf*cker.”

This week also marked the premiere of Mixtape on Paramount Plus, and Wayne is among many pioneers featured in the documentary. Back with Billboard and Mitchell, Wayne shared his thoughts on the perception of mixtapes in a post-AI music landscape.

“The terminology or definition has changed, that’s all,” he said. “Mixtapes can mean an album mix or anything now. But when it comes to Lil Wayne, everybody knows how I approach mixtapes. So my mixtapes won’t ever change.”

See more from Wayne’s Billboard cover shoot below.

Lil Wayne Doesn’t Believe AI Can Touch His Ability

If there is a rapper that knows something about standing out from the rest of the pack, it is Lil Wayne. His versatility as an artist and technical skills as a rapper are what makes him a legend in the game. Wayne’s influence on the biggest names in the space like Drake and Kendrick Lamar builds upon his legacy even more so. Even with the stars’ imprint on rap, like Wayne, there is still some belief that AI (artificial intelligence) can mimic someone’s presence on the mic down to the finest details.

In a recent sit-down with Billboard to honor the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Wayne was questioned about a host of topics in the industry. One of the topics that was brought to light was AI’s impact as of late. “Someone asked me about that recently,” Wayne began. “They were trying to tell me that AI could make a voice that sounds just like me. But it’s not me, because I’m amazing.” Wayne possesses undoubtedly one of the most standout voices. With his high-pitch raspiness and his signature lighter flick, his opinions on this are more than valid.

Read More: ASAP Rocky’s New Album Could Arrive Sometime This Month

Nothing Can Replace Work Ethic

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Lil Wayne (@liltunechi)

Another feather in the cap of Wayne is his ceaseless drive to create new music. With well over 18 releases on Spotify, and not to mention his extensive mixtape discography on Datpiff, he spoke on why his work ethic has continuously been a catalyst to his success. “I just work. I just keep going. I never stop. It’s just the work ethic, plain and simple,” Wayne said. In the interview, he hinted at the release of Tha Carter VI, but time will tell when that will drop.

All in all, Lil Wayne’s one-of-a-kind style and approach to music make him an unreplaceable figure in the hip-hop genre. What is your take on AI? Do you feel it can fully replace artists in the future? Or, is it just a fad trend that will die out? Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments section. Continue to follow HNHH for all the latest news in the music industry.

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Lupe Fiasco Partners With Google To Create New A.I. Tool For Rappers

Lupe Fiasco recently announced his new venture with Google, an artificial intelligence tool designed to be used by rappers. The tool, dubbed TextFX, “specifically (focuses) on the writing process of creating raps.” It’s a large language model that allows users to explore different ways to flip words, something that Lupe Fiasco himself does when he writes his lyrics. TextFX is available for use now.

“Rap is born out of technology,” he explains in a video about the tool, “rap wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for these technological advancements.” The artist continues, describing different ways that technology has impacted rap. “What’s next,” he says, “artificial intelligence, large language models. Rap’s optimal for it.” Aaron Wade, a Creative Technologist at Google, then describes working with Lupe Fiasco to come up with TextFX. “Initially, we thought that maybe Lupe would want an A.I. system to write lyrics for him, verses and raps. But it turns out that he didn’t want that at all. What he wanted was a tool that helped him explore the universe of possibilities that can arise from any given word, or phrase, or concept.”

Read More: Lupe Fiasco Hilariously Comments On Drake’s Lyrics

Lupe Fiasco’s New Songwriting Tool

In another video, Lupe Fiasco is seen “co-writing” a song using TextFX. He walks viewers through the songwriting process, revealing how the technology works. At the end of the video, he performs the song, titled “Glass Of Water.” “Depending on what you want to get out of it, it is there for you to get it,” he explains. “It does require you to do the work, it’s not doing the work for you. It’s just providing you with different opportunities, and work flow, and being efficient, and you know, offloading certain things so your mind can focus on other things.”

The artist continues to praise the tool, explaining how it took “Glass Of Water” to places he didn’t expect. “I really never thought that it would go there,” he says, “just from a small, tiny little twist.”

Read More: Lupe Fiasco Says His Manager Chilly Is Finally Out Of Prison

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Beanie Sigel Says He’s Going To Use A.I. To Make His Next Album

Beanie Sigel says he intends to experiment with artificial intelligence as a way of bringing back his vocal tone from before the 2014 shooting that nearly killed him. The veteran rapper discussed his idea for his next project during an appearance on the DJUTV podcast.

“I’ve got a new project coming soon,” he revealed. “And I think I found a good friend with this AI thing. Yeah. A lot of people frown on AI, but I think that’s gonna work for me. It’s definitely for me. Y’all want, what they say, the ‘old Beans’ back? ‘Cause the pen’s still there.”

Read More: Beanie Sigel Denies Dissing Jay-Z On 50 Cent Collab “I Go Off”

Beanie Sigel In Concert

AUSTIN, TX – MARCH 17: Beanie Sigel performs onstage at Mass Appeal during SXSW at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q on March 17, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Steve Rogers Photography/Getty Images for SXSW)

Sigel previously discussed the shooting during a sit-down with VladTV, last April. He explained that he was shot in and back and the bullet went through him. He late woke up in the hospital and started panicking. “I was in a coma,” he said at the time. “So when I was coming out of it I had a breathing tube down my throat. So when I first woke up out the coma, I didn’t know where I was at. And I pulled the breathing tube out. So it tore up shit in my throat. And I had staples in my stomach. So when I was yanking — I couldn’t get it out. It made me gag, and I bust all the staples in my stomach. It just opened up.”

Beanie Sigel Speaks On His Use Of A.I.

While Sigel appears to have good reason to want to use A.I., many other voices in music have warned about its place in the industry. Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and will.i.am, among others have all decried the rise of the technology. Sigel’s plan comes as more and more songs mimicking the voices of popular artists through A.I. technology have been released. Be on the lookout for more information regarding his next release on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: A.I. Shows What Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj & More Would Look Like When Older

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Nicki Minaj Reacts To Bizarre Tom Holland Deep Fake Video: “I Hope The Whole Internet Get Deleted!!!”

Generations of the past spent their time fantasizing about the wonders technology would have in store for the future. As it turns out, advancements in artificial intelligence seem to be doing more harm than good in the music industry. We’ve regularly seen fake songs appear online of long-deceased artists covering new releases, or entirely new tracks together from names like Drake and The Weeknd that receive just as much attention as their own drops. Aside from their voices being used without consent, stars like Nicki Minaj have also had issues with their image being stolen.

A few months back, ITVX launched their Deep Fake Neighbour Wars series, which pairs together unexpected celebrities in a simulated living environment. Among those coupled up are Adele and Jake Paul, Rihanna and Usain Bolt, and Beyonce and Billie Eilish. As The Conversation reports, Kim Kardashian and Idris Elba also appear in an episode together. Rather than their regular, glamorous jobs, the actor is a handyman/delivery driver. As for the socialite, she works as a bus driver in the deep fake world. In addition to all of those, Minaj also appears alongside the youngest Spider-Man, Tom Holland.

Read More: Tom Holland And Zendaya Spotted At Beyonce Concert In Poland

Nicki Minaj isn’t Feeling ITVX’s AI Series

Though ITVX’s clips first surfaced online earlier this year, it wasn’t until Sunday (July 9) that the Queen of Rap saw one and shared her thoughts. In the clip she retweeted, her and Holland recount a bizarre encounter with Mark Zuckerberg. While her appearance is pretty on-point, something about the rap diva’s voice is jarring.

“HELP!!! What in the AI shapeshifting cloning conspiracy theory is this?!?!!” Minaj asked her followers this morning. “I hope the whole internet get deleted!!!” the mother of one added, obviously concerned with what her likeness is being used for.

Read More: Drake Confirms Nicki Minaj Collab On “For All The Dogs” Album

More Clips From Deep Fake Neighbour Wars

Keep scrolling to find more previews of our celebrity favourites brought to life via artificial intelligence below. Which pairing do you think could actually survive together as roommates? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

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6lack Wants To Put You To Sleep With An AI-Generated ‘Since I Have A Lover’ Soundscape

“It’s always beautiful to see musicians continuously find new ways to bring their artistry to life with each project they release,” Uproxx’s Wongo Okon wrote about 6lack’s March album, Since I Have A Lover. 6lack took that personally, as he teamed with the Berlin-based AI sound wellness company Endel to create a new function for Since I Have A Lover that nobody saw coming.

Last week, 6lack took to Instagram to tease his and Endel’s collaborative “Sounds For Slowing Down” series, including “an ethereal listening experience of my new sleep soundscape” on Thursday, July 6, and Friday, July 7. The sessions will be hosted in-person in Berlin and Los Angeles, as well as within the app.

Per press release, two soundscapes were created from Since I Have A Lover using “scientifically validated AI technology rooted in extensive neuroscience research” with the intent “to help people sleep and focus better.”

“This is about letting people experience my music in a new way,” 6lack said in a statement. “These sounds can be for rest and relaxation, or for helping you feel inspired and creative. It’s for finding a sense of balance in life. Since I Have A Lover has plenty of magical sounds, and combined with Endel’s AI and science, it was easy to create something that felt healing.”

“SIHAL (Endel Sleep Soundscape)” and “SIHAL (Endel Lo-fi Soundscape)” will release on all streaming platforms on July 8 and July 24, respectively. The partnership is described as an extension of 6lack’s mental health advocacy, purposefully occurring during BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month.

These soundscapes could come in handy for 6lack during his upcoming Since I Have A Lover Tour, beginning this October.

Listen to snippets below.

Grammys CEO Explains Rules Surrounding AI In Music

CEO of The Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., recently clarified rules surrounding the eligibility of music created using artificial intelligence. Mason explained that though music incorporating AI is “absolutely eligible” for Grammy Awards, most of the work must have been done by a human. “We’re not going to be giving a nomination or an award to an AI computer or someone who just prompted AI,” he explained. “That’s the distinction that we’re trying to make. It’s the human award highlighting excellence, driven by human creativity.”

“The human portion of the of the composition, or the performance, is the only portion that can be awarded or considered for a Grammy Award,” Mason told Variety. “So if an AI modeling system or app built a track — ‘wrote’ lyrics and a melody — that would not be eligible for a composition award. But if a human writes a track and AI is used to voice-model, or create a new voice, or use somebody else’s voice, the performance would not be eligible, but the writing of the track and the lyric or top line would be absolutely eligible for an award.”

Read More: Pusha T’s Response Diss Track To Jim Jones Surfaces, But It’s A.I.-Generated

Mason Says Music Using AI Is Eligible For Grammys

Lately, a growing number of artists have been experimenting with the use of AI in music. Some have even managed to generate entirely new tracks using the voices and styles of other musicians. The use of AI in music has been pretty controversial. Some believe that once an artist incorporates artificial intelligence into their music, it can no longer be considered their own. Others see it as simply a valuable tool to streamline creative processes.

Styles P recently weighed in on the discussion, taking a hard stance against the use of AI. “I don’t dig it, I don’t like artificial anything, especially not artificial intelligence,” he revealed, “God made Man. Man-made Machine. Machine is thinking better than Man, and that is God.”

Read More: Big Daddy Kane Isn’t Threatened By AI But Fears Its Impact On New Rappers

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The Recording Academy Clarified That AI Music Is ‘Absolutely Eligible’ For Grammy Nominations (With A Catch)

Just a few weeks after the Recording Academy announced new rules to guard AI from being fully included in the Grammys main categories, the CEO/President Harvey Mason Jr. opened up to The Associated Press about how they will actually be adapting.

“Here’s the super easy, headline statement: AI, or music that contains AI-created elements, is absolutely eligible for entry and for consideration for Grammy nomination. Period,” Mason said. “What’s not going to happen is we are not going to give a Grammy or Grammy nomination to the AI portion.”

Mason went on to clarify that if “what is performing is not human creation” as a lead vocal, it would be included for a songwriting nomination, but not a performance one. “Conversely, if a song was sung by an actual human in the studio, and they did all the performing, but AI wrote the lyric or the track, the song would not be eligible in a composition or a songwriting category,” he added.

Basically put, the Grammys won’t be shutting out AI completely — as long as a real-life artist or team plays a larger role on the nominated piece.

“As long as the human is contributing in a more than de minimis amount, which to us means a meaningful way, they are and will always be considered for a nomination or a win,” he noted. “We don’t want to see technology replace human creativity. We want to make sure technology is enhancing, embellishing, or additive to human creativity. So that’s why we took this particular stand in this award cycle.”

The Recording Academy will announce their nominations for the 2024 ceremony on November 10.

Styles P Speaks Out Against Artificial Intelligence

Styles P is still a hip-hop legend from his time as a member of The L.O.X. so when he talks people pay attention. According to HipHopDX in a recent interview on First Smoke Of The Day, he made sure everyone knew his take on the increasing use of artificial intelligence. “I don’t dig it, I don’t like artificial anything, especially not artificial intelligence,” he said. “I think, as people, none of us do. Do you know what’s crazy, when you think about it? God made Man. Man-made Machine. Machine is thinking better than Man, and that is God,” he explained.

Styles P had plenty more to say about artificial intelligence later on in the interview. “Artificial intelligence is man-made. Who’s making it? So you have a lot of human beings that are not going to understand that a human being actually made artificial intelligence. And now people are going to think that artificial intelligence can think better than its creator.” His favoring of naturalism is no surprise given that Styles P has been a vegan for decades. On top of avoiding animal products, he’s also avoided processed foods in an aim to be as healthy as possible.

Styles P Is Against Artificial Intelligence

2023 has been a busier year than usual for Styles P. He’s performed alongside The L.O.X. at a pair of celebrations of rap music’s 50th anniversary. The group may also have more appearances planned later in the year. He also released a new album back in January. Penultimate: A Calm Wolf Is Still A Wolf will serve as the second-to-last new studio album of Styles’ career. It was the 15th album of his career and his first since 2021’s Ghosting.

While he hasn’t confirmed any plans yet for when his final studio album will come out he seems committed to it. Even though he will retire his solo career Styles P plans to continue making music as a member of The L.O.X. What do you think of Styles P’s take on artificial intelligence? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Styles P Says Biggie Wanted To Squash Beef Between Diddy & The LOX Before He Died

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Pusha T’s Response Diss Track To Jim Jones Surfaces, But It’s A.I.-Generated

The Pusha T and Jim Jones beef is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile and interesting of the year so far. Moreover, that’s because there isn’t really a beef at all, and is instead more of a battle of skill, relevance, and artistry that’s based purely on wax. Still, a lot of that potential hasn’t yet seen the light of day, as the Clipse member still hasn’t responded on wax to Jones’ diss track. Apparently, fans got a little too desperate for it, and one tech whiz in particular took matters into their own hands. Furthermore, an A.I.-generated response track to the Dipset MC surfaced online, and a lot of fans didn’t realize it was fake.

Even though this isn’t Pusha T’s actual response, there are still some fiery digs at Jim Jones throughout. “This s**t is an easy kill, n***as 40 plus twisting they fingers still,” the fake Push raps. “Duck the RICO, we know that n***a squealed, FBI agent with a damn record deal. Red flag waving, banging, boy chill.” Sure, the voice on this record sounds pretty similar, but it’s also relatively easy to distinguish when compared to some other A.I. models of artists.

Read More: Jim Jones Credits Tupac For Inspiring Dipset With Their Use Of Beef As Marketing

A.I.-Generated Response To Jim Jones From “Pusha T”

“Jimmy hiding something he got his record sealed, 6ix9ine ain’t the only one working the field,” the Pusha T-impersonating model continues. “We heard them phone taps, you Nicki Barnes, for real, stick to reality TV before I become your new damn Mandeecees. You got drip but your cornrows stay peezy, you hated on French and did Max B greasy.” What’s more is that this fake diss track even mentions Jim Jones as the rapper after Drake that Push will put in a grave.

For those unaware, this all started when Jones responded to Billboard‘s top 50 rappers list and disagreed with Push being on there. After he threw some subliminal disses on an unreleased Clipse song previewed at Pharrell’s Louis Vuitton fashion show, the New York rapper responded with a full diss. Hopefully this fake response didn’t divert the Virginia native from his path in this beef, regardless of which path he chose. Regardless, check back in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Pusha T and Jim Jones.

Read More: Charlamagne Tha God Says He’s Not Sure Jim Jones’ Response To Pusha T Was Enough

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