Tyga is Hollywood’s latest AI optimist

Tyga, the Hollywood rapper, has declared himself an AI optimist after incorporating artificial intelligence into the creation of his ninth studio album, $tarface. Released on July 31, this 80s-inspired project marks Tyga's bold step into the world of AI-assisted music production. Despite the criticism from both fans and peers, Tyga remains unfazed, stating that he relied on at least one AI music program during the album's creation.

The 80s-inspired album sees Tyga adopting a new Miami Vice-inspired alter ego, complete with Jheri curls, sleek retro Ferraris, and synthpop sounds. While some artists view AI as a threat to their creative process and livelihood, Tyga embraces the technology as a tool to enhance his work. He compares the use of AI in music production to the adoption of Auto-Tune, a tool that many artists initially resisted but eventually embraced.

However, the backlash following $tarface's release has been swift and severe. Music publication Pitchfork awarded the album a 0.0 out of 10 rating, citing the lack of effort or labor put into the album. Fellow artist Doja Cat also criticized Tyga's decision to use AI, calling him a "penis" for making an AI album. Despite the criticism, Tyga's embrace of AI technology aligns him with a growing number of artists who see it as a powerful tool for the future of music production.