Celeb Gists & Gossip

Was Jay-Z Furious Over The Unofficial AI Tracks That Put His Entire Industry At Risk?

Highlights

  • Jay-Z played a critical role in mainstreaming hip-hop.
  • AI technology has allowed for the creation of new songs with AI-generated vocals from popular artists.
  • Jay-Z expressed displeasure when unauthorized AI tracks of his music surfaced on YouTube.

Jay-Z is one of the most beloved entertainers of the 21st century. He helped mainstream hip hop and even was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.

The music icon has released hip-hop classics such as “Encore”, “Empire State of Mind”, “99 Problems”, and “Big Pimpin’”. Since his start in the 1980s, Jay-Z has been an artist who values creative expression. His dedication to his art form helped make him a 24-time Grammy winner.

AI technology has been able to create new vocals from singers past and present. While the technology is innovative and exciting, it has received criticism for its ability to mimic artists without their or their estate’s approval. Jay-Z is among the artists who AI users have taken advantage of, and he had something to say about it.

What Is Jay-Z’s Legacy?

Born Shawn Carter in December 1969, Jay-Z was not quite a hip-hop pioneer, but one of the individuals who helped mainstream the art form globally. He began his career in the late 1980s, when hip-hop was starting to gain a wider audience. Along with rappers such as Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., and Dr. Dre, Jay-Z played a critical role in getting hip hop recognized as an innovative music genre.

Via: Depositphotos 

Before even releasing his debut album, Jay Z started his own label, Roc-a-Fella Records, in the mid-nineties. He did not have success pitching his work to other labels, so he decided to start his own. “Reasonable Doubt”, his first effort, was consequently released in June 1996. The album was a commercial and critical success and helped launch his career as a rapper.

Related: Oprah Had To Stop Her Interview And Shake Beyonce’s Hand After The Artist Issued The Perfect Response About Her Relationship With Jay-Z

“In My Lifetime, Vol. 1” followed in November 1997, and was also a commercial success. The album paid tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z’s friend, and was released the same year as his passing. “The City is Mine”, one of the record’s most popular tracks, touched on the rapper’s death.

Jay Z at The Harder They Fell premiere 2021
Via: Depositphotos

“Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life”, Jay-Z’s third album, came out in September 1998 and its title track sampled the iconic song “Hard Knock Life” from the musical, Annie. It was one of his most commercially acclaimed efforts and helped further his influence in the music industry.

In December of 1999, Jay-Z released “Vol. 3…Life and Times of S. Carter.” The album’s tracks were similar to the sound of his debut album and reached a Billboard No. 1 position within its first week of release. “Big Pimpin’” was among the songs introduced on the album.

Jay Z and Gloria Carter
The Things

After “The Dynasty: Roc La Familia” came out in 2000, Jay-Z started his critically acclaimed “Blueprint” series. 2001’s “The Blueprint” featured songs such as “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and “Girls, Girls, Girls.” “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” became a massive hit for the rapper and reached a No. 8 position on the Billboard charts. “The Blueprint” only furthered Jay-Z’s fame and helped cement his legacy as a mainstream hip-hop artist.

“The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse” followed in November 2002, with songs such as “Excuse Me Miss.” In 2009, “The Blueprint 3” was released and featured standards such as “Empire State of Mind” and “Young Forever.” The album won six Grammys and even allowed Jay-Z to break an Elvis Presley sales record.

Related: How Did Gloria Carter Come Out To Her Son Jay-Z

In 2011, Jay-Z released a highly successful collaboration album with Kanye West, “Watch the Throne.” He has also made frequent collaborations with his wife, Beyonce. Throughout the 2010s, Jay-Z continued to drop critically and commercially acclaimed albums including “Magna Carta Holy Grail” and “4:44.”

Not only is Jay-Z one of the most famous rappers in history, but he is also one of the wealthiest. Through his music career as well as smart business investments, Jay-Z has become a billionaire. In fact, he was worth more than every other artist who performed at the 2023 Grammy’s Hip Hop Tribute Concert combined!

What Is AI Technology’s Impact On The Music Industry?

AI technology has not only resulted in controversial sensations such as ChatGPT but has given creators the ability to develop new songs with AI-generated vocals based on popular artists. From attempting to re-create the vocals of legends such as Elvis and the Beatles to developing new material based on modern-day artists, AI technology has had a major impact on the entertainment industry.

Jay-Z at ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Music Awards
Via: Depositphotos 

Many individuals have been alarmed and concerned by AI technology and how random individuals can now create songs without an artist or their estate’s consent.

Their reasoning is that an artist’s likeliness and sound should be protected and not freely able to use without permission. This is understandable considering artists have lost a considerable amount of control due to AI technology.

What Did Jay-Z Say About The Unofficial AI Tracks?

In 2020, Jay-Z’s AI tracks were discovered on YouTube. According to Pitchfork, Jay-Z was not pleased at all, and Roc Nation, his company, asked that the videos be removed. The videos eventually resurfaced on YouTube a few days later. While Jay-Z probably did not take legal action, he most likely was aggravated by the release of the tracks without his consent.

Jay-Z at Death of a Dynasty premiere 2003
Via: Depositphotos

Young Guru, Jay-Z’s frequent collaborator, expressed a distaste for and warned against AI generated music in March 2023. After a Jay-Z AI-generated sample went viral, Young Guru made a statement on his Instagram account:

“So what do we do. On one hand I’m well aware that you can’t stop technology…On the other hand we have to protect the rights of the artist. Not only artist but everyone in society. People should not be able to take your Name, Image, and Likeness without permission. We have to add the voice to this law.”

Related: What Happened Between Jay-Z and Robert DeNiro?

According to Hip Hop DX, 9th Wonder and DJ Clark Kent have also commented on the ethics of AI-generated music after the 2023 Jay-Z sample was released. 9th Wonder commented on Young Guru’s post and wrote “My God.”

Source: NewsFinale

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