Capitol Records Cuts Off Ties With AI Rapper Over Racial Stereotypes
Pop stars and their record labels are constantly trying to reinvent their looks and sounds. However, one creative team has taken matters into its own hand by creating an AI rapper that it can control entirely.
FN Meka, the rapper, had a relatively brief career after his time in the public eye was marred by controversies alleging that the people behind him were perpetuating racial stereotypes, particularly against the Black community.
The AI rapper was created by Anthony Martini and Factory News’ Brandon Le, while real-life people were used as inspiration for FN Meka. Martini told the New York Times that their AI pop star was in fact voiced by a Black man.
@fnmeka Who misses the cake Memes? 🰠#xbox #cake #robot ♬ original sound - FNMeka
In another report to Music Business Worldwide, he said that there was no intention to anger anyone as his music and lyrics were all generated by AI.
The digitized rapper was the first AI-created musician to land a deal with a major label after the release of his first single, Florida Waters, which featured rapper Gunna and Fortnite streamer Clix.
The backlash mainly accused the imagery of the “rapper” of being the equivalent of digital blackface.
His social media channels were also riddled with racial profiling, where he made light of police brutality. According to Fortune, an Instagram post of him was seen being beaten up by police officers because he wouldn’t “snitch.” However, his account has now been made private by the people who control him.
Nonprofit group Industry Blackout wrote a letter to Capitol citing the use of slurs in the lyrics and the way he copies Black mannerisms and speech. The letter also called FN Meka a “caricature” of the community.
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The New York Times’ Joe Coscarelli broke the news after Capitol Records immediately dropped him off its roster.
