Update 08/23/2022 8:55pm:

The Capitol Records tenure for artificial intelligence rapper FN Meka was shortlived after the label dropped the AI creation due to overwhelming backlash. 

“CMG has severed ties with the FN Meka project, effective immediately,” the label announced in a statement. “We offer our deepest apologies to the Black community for our insensitivity in signing this project without asking enough questions about equity and the creative process behind it. We thank those who have reached out to us with constructive feedback in the past couple of days-your input was invaluable as we came to the decision to end our association with the project.”

Hours before the announcement, activist group Industry Blackout issued a statement condemning the signing: 

“It has come to our attention that your company has decided to partner with Factory New on signing the artificially designed ‘rapper’ FN Meka. While we applaud innovation in tech that connects listeners to music and enhances the experience, we find fault in the lack of awareness in how offensive this caricature is. It is a direct insult to the Black community and our culture. An amalgamation of gross stereotypes, appropriative mannerisms that derive from Black artists, complete with slurs infused in lyrics. 

This digital effigy is a careless abomination and disrespectful to real people who face real consequences in real life. For example, Gunna, a Black artist who is featured on a song with FN Meka, is currently incarcerated for rapping the same type of lyrics this robot mimics. The difference is, your artificial rapper will not be subject to federal charges for such. 

For your company to approve this shows a serious lack of diversity and resounding amount of tone deaf leadership, this is simply unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

We demand this partnership be terminated, a formal public apology be issued, FN Meka removed from all platforms. Furthermore, all monies spent by Capitol Records and Factory New for this project will be allocated to charitable organizations that directly support Black youth in the arts, as well as marketing budgets for Black artists signed to Capitol Records. We look forward to your response and compliance.”

Original 08/22/2022 10:24pm:

Capitol Records reportedly made history by signing the first artificial intelligence rapper, FN Meka. The move is raising quite a few eyebrows and raising more than a few questions about the future of the music industry. 

The "robot rapper" has a new single out titled "Florida Water," featuring Gunna and gaming streamer Clix. FN Meka is the brainchild of Anthony Martini and Brandon Le, cofounders of Factory New, a virtual record label who were the first to "sign" the robot rapper. 

"Technically speaking, FN Meka is voiced by a human," Martini said. "But everything else about him—from his lyrics to the chords and tempo underpinning his music—is based on AI." 

"[It] meets at the intersection of music, technology and gaming culture," said Ryan Ruden, Capitol Music Group’s Executive Vice President of Experiential Marketing & Business Development. 

"It's just a preview of what’s to come."

Source: Instagram.com