Virtual rapper FN Meka was dropped from his label less than a week after being signed.
Capitol Records had just announced the signing of the virtual rapper, who is a sensation on TikTok with more than 10 million social media followers. But the news was met by a backlash from other musicians, activists and music lovers because of the AI’s use of Black stereotypes.
“We thank those who have reached out to us with constructive feedback in the past couple of days — your input was invaluable as we decided to end our association with the project,” said Capitol Music Group in a statement to EW.
As the virtual world takes hold of the tech industry, concertgoers have flocked to see holograms of hip-hop legend Tupac and songstress Whitney Houston. Now, record labels are finding new ways to introduce new talent without the physical being of a person.
FK Menka was created by brothers Chris and Brandon Le with Factory New. The brothers teamed with Anthony Martini, a music industry vet who helped the brothers launch the AI.
“The old model of finding talent is inefficient and unreliable. It requires spending time scouring the internet, traveling to shows, flying to meetings, expending resources all in search of the magic combination of qualities that just might translate into a superstar act,” Martini said in an interview with Music Business Worldwide.
Menka’s use of stereotypes upset many, but a different issue was raised by artists and other creatives in the industry. Rapper The Game left a comment on the page about his concerns over an AI taking opportunities from those who are up-and-coming and more deserving.
“We offer our deepest apologies to the Black community for our insensitivity in this project without asking enough questions about equity and the creative process behind it,” Capitol Music Group said in its statement to Insider.
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