*Timbaland is pushing forward with his vision of an AI-powered future in music, even as backlash mounts over his latest project: the creation of an artificial pop genre, or “A-pop,” led by a digital artist named TaTa.
As Hot 97 reports, the influential producer addressed critics directly on Instagram Friday, June 6, following growing concern about the implications of artificial intelligence in the music industry. “I know I’m trolling, but let’s have a real conversation,” Timbaland wrote. “I love my independent artists. This doesn’t mean I’m not working with real artists anymore.”
He went on to clarify his stance on AI training: “And nah, I don’t train ai off y’all music. This just means more creativity for creators.”
Alongside his comments, Timbaland shared a video featuring music executive Ray Daniels, who backed the concept of AI-generated performers. “Why the f**k wouldn’t you?” Daniels said, referencing animated icons like Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny. “He’s gonna make a character that he can have sing songs and sell products. That’s all these cartoonists and young kid TV shows are doing anyway, so why are y’all mad at him?”
Daniels noted, “Mickey Mouse is an AI character. Donald Duck is an AI character. Bugs Bunny is an AI character.”
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British DJ Shy FX criticized Timbaland’s project in the comment section. “You call it trolling, but the moves you are making are not jokes. They are choices, and they come at the cost of real artists who are already fighting to be seen and heard,” he wrote.
Veteran hip-hop journalist Rob Markman also weighed in, challenging Daniels’ comparison to cartoon characters.
“None of those things the guy mentioned (Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny) are AI characters; those are characters created, written, and animated by PEOPLE. Do you not see the resounding rejection you’re facing for this?” Markman added.
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