A$AP Rocky reveals his stance on AI music as rapper says he prefers to do things 'practically'

[Stephan Bobb]

A$AP Rocky reveals his stance on AI music as rapper says he prefers to do things 'practically'

Story by Lily Brown

The rapper sees a place for the technology in music, but he prefers working directly with musicians, producers and beat makers to develop his sound

NEED TO KNOW

• A$AP Rocky says AI can be useful for tasks like isolating instrumentals but prefers working directly with collaborators
• He says he does not judge artists who create fully AI-generated songs despite the backlash
• Rocky’s new single “Shroom Clouds” arrives Oct. 16 ahead of Don’t Be Dumb: Disc 2

A$AP Rocky has some thoughts on artificial intelligence in music, but he’s not ready to let the technology take over his creative process.

In an interview published on Wednesday, Oct. 14, the 38-year-old rapper shared his take on the growing use of AI in music, explaining that while he sees potential benefits to the technology, he prefers to make music in a more traditional way.

“It depends,” Rocky told Complex when asked about AI in music. “I feel like when guys like Flexin’ Phoenix [Fenix Flexin], whatever his name is, and Tyga—I don’t know their process of how they make it, but I know when they made it, they caught a lot of backlash and s--- like that.”

For Rocky, real name Rakim Athelston Mayers, the distinction comes down to how the technology is used. While he sees AI as a potentially useful tool for certain tasks, the “Praise the Lord (Da Shine)” singer said he’s less inclined to use it to generate music from scratch.

“Me, personally, I prefer to do things myself, practically,” he said.

As an example of how AI can be useful, Rocky described using the technology to remove vocals from an existing track, such as Kanye West‘s “Good Morning,” to isolate the instrumental.

“AI has a lot of negative connotations,” said Rocky. “I don’t think when it’s used in certain ways that it’s necessarily a right or wrong thing.” 

He continued, “AI is supposed to be a tool in that sense. If somebody does a totally AI-generated song where all they did was prompt something, then I think that that’s their thing. But who am I to say what’s standard and what’s not?”

Rather than relying on AI to create music for him, Rocky said he prefers collaborating directly with the people who help bring his sound to life.

“I’m just doing me out here and I’m doing my music practically—the right way,” he said. “I’m really tapping with musicians, producers, beat makers, just to convey my sound and develop my sound.”

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Rocky also addressed the evolution of hip-hop, saying he’s not worried about the genre’s changing sound or the directions other artists take it in.

“No, not really. I just analyze it. I can’t worry about something I have no control over. I just contribute what I can. So I can’t really worry about what I have no control over,” he said.

Rocky also pointed to Playboi Carti, whom he helped develop through his creative collective, as an example of how artists from his circle have helped shape hip-hop’s current direction.

“My artist that I birthed is like the godfather of the new contemporary rage-vamp music. And he came from A$AP. He came from AWGE. He is still signed to AWGE,” explained Rocky. “At the end of the day, if that’s what hip-hop is going and that’s where it’s going, then technically I’m somewhat responsible for whatever it is and whatever it turns into. So I’m more embraceful towards it, even if I don’t get it, even if it’s not for me.”

For Rocky, music has room to evolve without every new trend needing to appeal to everyone.

“I know what’s popularized more now is the rock star s--- and all that other rage s---. But that’s just another derivative of hip hop,” he said. “So essentially, I’m not worried at all. I let nature take its course because no matter what, I’m the godfather of this s---.”

Rocky is currently preparing to release new music following the success of his latest album, Don’t Be Dumb, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 earlier this year. After wrapping up a 49-date world tour in support of the project, the rapper is set to release a second disc of the album.

“We got a single dropping Friday, ‘Shroom Clouds.’ And Disc 2 following up right after that,” he said. “Sorry for the wait. I just needed to get off this tour so I could, you know, concentrate, do things the right way. I know people will prefer for it to be right than [for] it to be rushed.”

Rocky also offered some insight into what fans can expect from the second disc, which will collect music associated with his various alter egos and the eight-year period leading up to the album.

Tracks including “Babushka Boi,” “Sundress,” “Grim Freestyle,” “Hijack” and “Trunks” are expected to appear, alongside new revisions, additional verses and a couple of previously unheard singles.

“It’s all going to live on Disc 2 with new revisions to it, new verses, and a couple of new singles that people probably never heard,” he said. “I want them to hear it as a whole so that they can finally understand the completion of Don’t Be Dumb.”

Rocky’s new single, “Shroom Clouds,” drops Oct. 16, while Don’t Be Dumb: Disc 2 does not yet have a set release date.

Read the original article on People