FN Meka speaks volumes about the future of technology as it permeates every sector of human endeavor, including the music industry. We never knew AIs could sing and rap until FN Meka came into the picture.
The AI was considered the first augmented reality artist to be signed by a major label, Capitol. However, the record label had severed ties with the AI rapper’s creator. What did the AI rapper do wrong? He consistently used the N-word in his songs and also trivialized police brutality.
Gorillaz reigned supreme in times past as the music industry cartoon face; those were in the days when digital avatars were two-dimensional, uncomplicated, and divorced ambiguously from reality. Several other musicians have created their own arts over the year, further adding their quota to the influence of the AI music industry.
Before cutting ties with Capitol, everyone saw FN Meka as the bride for the stars, being influential enough to ascend the throne as a big star among AI performers. It looked good to make this a reality until it was forced to part ways with Capitol.
FN Meka had recorded immeasurable successes as an AI rapper. The robot rapper- as it called itself- had over 10 million followers on TikTok and also recorded hundreds of thousands of listens monthly on Spotify. Its successes compelled Capitol Records to sign a deal with it on 14th August, giving it the bragging right as the first augmented reality artist in the world to sign with a major record label. He celebrated this feat by releasing a new single featuring pro gamer Clix, and Gunna. Those into Fortnite montages soundtracked by AI-generated mumble rap.
FN Meka is different from all other virtual musicians around today and also stands a head taller than many other TikTok influencers. For example, it used AI to build most of the elements underpinning his music, including the beats, chords, and tempo.
FN Meka was greeted with some bad news from Capital Records just a few days after it signed the deal with the record label. The latter declared its decision to end the deal effective immediately with the decision based on the creators’ propensity to trivialize police brutality and commit digital blackface.
Upon signing FN Meka, a series of messages and reviews poured in from observers, who expressed their displeasure with the deal. The accusations state that FN Meka is racist in his views. It is obvious Capitol Records did not carry out adequate research about the AI rapper before signing the deal and the record label indicated this in the statement it forwarded to the general public about the deal cancelation. The statement declared FN Meka lyrics to be divisive, which does not augur well with the image and standard of the record label.
The FN Meka project was pioneered by Le and Martini. One of its songs titled “Florida Water” showcased a repetitive mention of the N-word. One of the lyrics stated that “N***s can’t compete, I’m out they bracket, uh (Florida water).” The AI rapper also posted an image on his Instagram page indicating that he trivialized police brutality.
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