Author: Alex Castro
Publisher: The New York Times
Publication Year: 2022
Summary: The following news article reports recent news regarding an artificial intelligence (AI) “robot rapper” named FN Meka. This rapper’s lyrics, chords, melody, tempo, and sounds were derived and powered by AI. Despite being AI, he was signed to Capitol Music Group. This virtual artist rapped on Black issues such as incarceration and police brutality but was criticized for trivializing the issues. The artist was perceived as a walking stereotype of mannerisms and language used by Black artists and even would utilize common slurs. Once it was found that the individuals creating and running the digital rapper were not Black, there was backlash surrounding digital Blackface. The label has since dropped FN Meka and apologized.