Hip-hop is now in the world of Artificial Intelligence. A virtual rapper named FN Meka who is powered by AI has signed with a major record label.
According to a The music industry around the world article, published on August 17, “robot rapper” FN Meka has signed a deal with Capitol Records and released his debut single, “Florida Water,” which features rapper RICO Gunna and gaming streamer Clix.
The AI-powered virtual rapper was created by Anthony Martini and Brandon Le of Factory New, a virtual record label that was the first to “sign” the robot rapper. According to Martini, the rapper’s voice is a real human but everything else is based on AI technology.
“Technically speaking, FN Meka is voiced by a human,” he told MBW. “But everything else about him – from his lyrics to the chords and tempo that underpin his music – is AI-based.”
FN Meka’s fanbase is huge on social media. In just over a year since its inception, it has already amassed 10 million followers on TikTok and over a billion views on the video-sharing platform.
On his TikTok pageMeka invites fans into its virtual world which includes giant Bugatti jets, Maybach helicopters and machines capable of turning ice into icy watches.
@fnmekaWhat color is your Bugatti?♬ Airplane Mode – BONES
@fnmeka Which car should I modify next? #Rolls Royce #supercar #rich ♬ In the thick of it! – People in the back yard
@fnmekaGot a new ice machine to help keep my wrist on FROZE♬ Florida Water – FN Meka & Gunna & Clix
On the Turbo-produced song “Florida Water,” Meka delivers smooth lines like, “Oh, just put it on my tab/I can’t see the prices, throw it in my bag/Always in a stranger when I shoot.” /Cleans the VVS diamonds from the water crumbles /Make it splash.”
Ryan Ruden, executive vice president of experiential marketing and business development for Capitol Music Group, sees the partnership with FN Meka as the future of fusing music with technology. “[It] comes together at the intersection of music, technology and gaming culture,” he told MBW. “This is just a glimpse of what’s to come.”
It will be interesting to see if true hip-hop fans will embrace virtual rapper FN Meka.
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