Tyga isn’t bothered to admit he used Suno to create his new album. But does that fact make it chart ineligible per new rules laid out by a coalition that includes UMG, RIAA, A2IM, WIN, IMPALA, The Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, and the IFPI?
Tyga’s new album, the ‘80s synthpop-inspired project $tarface, faced allegations of AI use from the beginning. But the West Coast rapper doesn’t deny it, and in fact doubled down on his stance on the technology’s place in the arts in an interview with VIBE.
“We definitely used AI as a [tool],” said Tyga. “And I know people are going to be mad about me saying this, but it’s where technology is going. It’s no different than when auto-tune came out. Some people were opposed to it, but real artists took it and used it.”
“[Working on $tarface] we were like, ‘You know what? I need some ‘80s synths for a certain part of this song. I need a guitar solo done ASAP.’ It is what it is,” he added. “But as far as the writing, all the vocals are all me,” he added. “There’s nothing wrong with using technology as a tool.”
The discussion around Tyga’s use of AI (and that of other artists across the industry) really started to heat up this summer after rapper Fenix Flexin had his own ‘80s inspired synthpop hit with “RUBBERZ.” That track is almost certainly AI-based, but the Shoreline Mafia member continues to deny the allegations.
But footage on social media showed Fenix and Tyga recording a song together in the studio called “Lavish,” which also contains those ‘80s pop-inspired synth vibes. According to Tyga, the two were “experimenting” with the sound at the same time.
“I was already deep into working on my ‘80s-sounding music. I had already played him some stuff,” said Tyga. “So when I saw what he was doing, I was like, ‘Oh, this is fire!’ […] I think it was just cool to do, you know? We’re going to put the video out in a few weeks.”
That further fuels speculation around Fenix’s own track’s AI use, and Tyga’s admission of using the tech makes it seem even more likely.
However, back to Tyga’s own record: does his use of AI mean $tarface won’t be chart eligible?
New guidelines for AI use laid out by a coalition of music labels and organizations headed by IFPI state that a creation must adhere to several core rules in order to be eligible for royalties and official chart placement.
Under the new guidelines, a recording developed using AI can only qualify for chart inclusion if it meets the following criteria: The AI service used is properly authorized and lawful, the track is substantially human made, and the track does not raise stream or chart manipulation concerns.
Suno, which has secured a licensing agreement with Warner Music Group, could very well qualify. But Suno’s cases against UMG and Sony Music remain ongoing, with both major labels alleging mass-scale infringement. Exactly how that translates into chart eligibility — or ineligibility — has yet to be answered.
