-Tamara’Shanay-
Cousins!
The career of the very first artificial intelligence rapper may have been short lived after Capitol records announced earlier today that they are pulling the plug on any contractual agreements. Get it ‘ plugging the plug’ ? 🥁
It was announced earlier this month that FN Meka had landed a deal with the label. However in response to the news folks on social media poured in with mixed reviews.
Capitol records has since released a statement to clarify their current relationship status with FN,”CMG (Capitol Music Group) has severed ties with the FN Meka project, effective immediately. 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.”
According to a NY times reporter, Capitol records received backlash from more than social media users. They were also called out by the Industry Blackout organization.
“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.”
The statement continues, “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.”
According to reports from Pitchfork, the entire project had been criticized after clips went viral throughout social media of the rapper using the N-word in a song. Also an image was shared on Meka’s accounts of the rapper being a victim of police brutality.