AI vs 6ix9ine: Who Makes Better Music?
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Music
a. AI-generated music for popular musicians
b. AI-generated rap songs
c. Ethics and criticisms of AI-generated music
- FN Meka: The Virtual Robot Rapper
a. Overview of FN Meka and its popularity
b. The creators behind FN Meka
c. FN Meka's music and its reception
- Virtual Humans and Ethics in Music
a. Defining virtual humans
b. The role of CGI in creating virtual humans
c. Importance of transparency in virtual personalities
d. People's perception of virtual humans as real
- The Future of AI in Music and Factory New's Role
a. The potential impact of AI musicians on the industry
b. Factory New's plan for future FN characters
c. The uniqueness and growth of Factory New's approach
- Conclusion
The Rise of AI-Generated Music and the Controversy Behind It
Artificial intelligence has become a pervasive presence in various aspects of our lives, including music. From the algorithms that curate our playlists to AI-assisted composition, it has revolutionized the way music is created and consumed. In recent years, AI has even been used to generate rap songs, raising questions about the authenticity of these tracks and the role of humans in their creation.
AI-generated music for popular musicians has already gained traction, with companies like OpenAI releasing music in the style of popular artists like Katy Perry. Singer Holly Herndon also employs AI as a collaborator to Create pop music. However, the focus on AI-generated rap songs is relatively new and intriguing.
One notable example is Travis Bott, a robotic version of renowned rapper Travis Scott created by Space150. Though initially an internal experiment, Travis Bott gained significant Attention worldwide. The lyrics, generated by feeding a computer with hundreds of Travis Scott songs, were then crafted by human hands to make them coherent and appealing. Dallas rapper So-So Topic was enlisted to perform the songs, which he deemed to be the weirdest experience of his career.
While Space150 defended their intentions as merely starting a conversation, their experiment raised ethical concerns. Holly Herndon, another AI-oriented musician, criticized the project for its lack of transparency and raised questions about the purported band of people hiding behind the facade of AI.
FN Meka: The Virtual Robot Rapper
Another virtual rapper that caused a stir is FN Meka, a virtual human influencer with over 9 million followers on TikTok. FN Meka's appeal was not just limited to online fame; it aimed to brand itself as the first "Robot Rapper." However, behind this digital persona, questions arose about who controlled FN Meka and its true Creators' motivations and intentions.
The evidence pointed towards two individuals: Chris Le and Brandon Le. Chris Le, also known as ClegFX, is a multi-talented creator involved in various artistic endeavors. He co-founded RTFKT studios, known for creating and selling Sneaker NFTs and other collectibles. Chris Le's brother, Brandon Le, also known as GunJunkie, is an experienced skin designer for video games.
Factory New, the Record label associated with FN Meka, exhibited a level of secrecy regarding the creators' identities. However, comments made by Chris Le indicated that he and his brother were indeed behind FN Meka's design. FN Meka's songs were released alongside TikTok videos to capitalize on viral potential.
The enigmatic nature of FN Meka and its creators sparked Curiosity and speculation, emphasizing the importance of transparency in virtual personalities. While FN Meka's music may not have revolutionized the industry, it remained an entertaining and thought-provoking venture.
Virtual Humans and Ethics in Music
Virtual humans encompass synthetic versions of human beings created through CGI. They can take various forms, from static characters on screens to interactive personas in videos. Dudley Nevill-Spencer of the Virtual Influencer Agency explained that virtual humans' efficacy lies in the combination of CGI and their ability to engage and entertain audiences.
However, the responsibility falls on the human creators behind these avatars to maintain transparency. Dudley emphasized the importance of knowing the real human behind an avatar to avoid potential ethical concerns. Studies have shown that people often perceive virtual robots as genuine individuals, making transparency even more crucial.
Despite these considerations, the use of virtual personalities like FN Meka as vessels for creating and selling music has its merits. Dudley acknowledges that the music produced by virtual robots may not be groundbreaking, but it can still provide entertainment value.
The Future of AI in Music and Factory New's Role
As AI continues to advance, the music industry faces the potential for AI musicians to overtake their human counterparts. Industry experts predict that once neural networks and AI develop further, both robots and humans will become smarter. The impact of AI musicians on the industry's future remains uncertain, but the growth of Factory New's approach suggests potential opportunities.
Factory New's plan revolves around developing an internal "Marvel Universe" model, where FN characters will be created in-house and contribute to the Factory New brand's growth. FN Meka's introduction paved the way for future characters like "FN Nxrmal," indicating the potential for ongoing virtual collaborations and a unique approach to music creation.
Conclusion
The rise of AI-generated music, particularly in the rap genre, has sparked discussions about authenticity and the role of humans in its creation. FN Meka and its virtual robot rapper persona have drawn attention for both their popularity and the mystery surrounding their creators. The introduction of virtual humans in music highlights the importance of transparency and the need to understand the distinction between synthetic avatars and real individuals. Nevertheless, AI's potential in the music industry and the innovative approach of companies like Factory New suggest an intriguing future where virtual musicians coexist with their human counterparts.
Highlights:
- AI-generated music has found its way into various genres, including rap.
- Travis Bott, an AI-created version of Travis Scott, stirred controversy and ethical concerns.
- FN Meka, the virtual robot rapper with millions of TikTok followers, raised questions about its creators' identities and intentions.
- Virtual humans, such as FN Meka, push the boundaries of entertainment and Perception.
- Transparency is crucial in the world of virtual personalities to maintain ethical standards.
- Future prospects for AI in music and Factory New's unique approach indicate exciting developments.
FAQ:
Q: What is the purpose of AI-generated music?
A: AI-generated music aims to assist in the composition process, create new and unique sounds, and cater to specific audience preferences.
Q: How do humans contribute to AI-generated rap songs?
A: While AI can generate lyrics and music, human intervention is often necessary to refine and enhance the AI-generated content to make it more coherent and palatable.
Q: What are the ethical concerns surrounding AI-generated music?
A: Ethical concerns include issues of authenticity, transparency, and the potential marginalization of human artists if AI musicians gain dominance in the music industry.
Q: Who are the creators behind FN Meka?
A: The creators behind FN Meka are suspected to be Chris Le and his brother, Brandon Le, who were involved in its design and development.
Q: How do virtual humans impact the music industry?
A: Virtual humans offer new avenues for creativity and entertainment in the music industry. However, maintaining transparency and understanding the distinction between real individuals and synthetic avatars is crucial to avoid ethical dilemmas.