Artificial Intelligence & Ownership: How Laziness Poisons Creativity

This video is related to today's discussion, and this is also for anyone who needs context on what we're discussing today lol. I hope you guys like it! :)))

• Word Count: 934

    I was casually scrolling on my phone when I found an article about Dr. Dre welcoming AI, which isn’t surprising. Most of these artists/producers who were popular in the 80s and 90s have been open to generative AI in art. However, what Dr. Dre said irritated me a bit. Saying that us not liking AI in music reminds him of the people who didn’t like the drum and synthesizer machines? Saying that the only people who see AI as a threat are the people who have trouble creating? It was a wild-ass take, and I wanted to discuss that, along with some other things. The reason why all of these rich people are pushing and embracing AI is because no effort is needed. So, to see all of these artists, especially rappers, spew all of this bulllshit does more harm than good, especially because people look up to these artists. 

    You ever noticed that the motherfuckers who can’t stay relevant are the main ones advocating for AI? Too much? My bad, but I mean it though! The artists who haven’t dropped in years, haven’t done anything but show up to events and pop up on random-ass commercials are the main ones saying bullshit. Instead of trying new things, giving love to new talent, or giving resources to help real artists grow, they put time into these machines. They give an AI girl a fucking record deal and press that they know a real person deserves. Rich people, who never have to worry about working ever again, are still worried about the money in their pockets. 

    While we’re on the topic, I think the reason why people like Dr. Dre are attracted to generative AI is because of the lack of care. You make a funky-ass record deal? Try to fuck over an artist? Or better yet, you don’t want to worry about paying someone or giving them resources? Then of course, generative AI sounds like the best option. You can easily take advantage of someone who won’t disagree with you…or bother to ask questions. It attracts more than just artists; multiple entertainment industries want to welcome artificial intelligence into their work. It stems from control. Always. I believe after you reach a certain level of wealth, you eventually stop caring about the people around you. You focus more on the money in your pocket, rather than what made you rich in the first place. When it comes to artists like Dr. Dre, Timbaland, and Snoop Dogg, the main reason people liked their work was because of how original it was. Them experimenting and being creative influenced so many people and made them want to do the same. So, advocating for people to essentially take the easy way out is a harmful message. 

    Not to mention, a lot of people lie about what generative AI is. Generative AI does not make anything original, nor is it capable of doing so. Every single thing that AI has generated came from something or someone already. Humans are responsible for the shit AI generates. So, if you take humans out of the equation, then AI would not be able to generate anything sensible. That’s because the relationship between generative AI and humans is purely codependent…but that’s for another day. My point is, telling people “AI is the future” is bullshit. It’s like saying “plagiarism is the future,” or maybe “being unoriginal is the future, and we just need to get with the times.” Fuck no, and the thing I find funny is that the millisecond generative AI became popular, the first purpose (most) people gave it was replacement. The people who advocate for AI always say it’s a tool, but never use it like one. Instead of using it to give you ideas or help you find resources, you would rather have it write the song for you or make the beat for you…knowing damn well there are songwriters and producers out here. Hell, some artists are doing both, and a lot of them don’t have the same resources. Argue with the fucking wall, but you don’t need generative AI to make anything, especially art.

    Not only does AI "art" look and sound like shit, but it’s disrespectful to real artists, and it’s inauthentic. You can’t call yourself a songwriter and you have a robot giving you lyrics. You can’t call yourself a producer, and you have AI generating a beat. What makes art so valuable is the soul and work put into it. People going out of their way to make something that can be consumed- it’s beautiful, and at the end of the day, a machine can never replace that. These rich assholes only care about making their pockets bigger. They will never put their money into real artists because they do not care; they want someone to do the work for them while taking full ownership and credit. The only thing I can say is don’t let it discourage you. Just because higher-ups advocate for AI does not mean the people want it too. It’s been so clear in recent years that rich and non-rich people want different things. Everywhere I go, and every app I’m on, people express that they don’t like generative AI. People want human art. The old-school musicians may not give resources to new talent, but the people can; we have to support each other because all we have is each other. Fuck AI, keep working hard on your art, and know that you have support over here. Always. 

- P.S. Dr. Dre gets on my goddamn nerves. Fuck him! 

- CD ★

☆ SOURCES ☆

• "Dr. Dre Says the Only People Who See AI as a Threat Are Those ‘Who Have Trouble Creating’" by Todd Spangler (Article)
• "Timbaland Signs AI ‘Artist’ TaTa to His New Stage Zero Record Label" by  Stephen Andrew Galiher (Article)

☆ BONUS MATERIAL (FOR FUN :) ☆

I wanted to show another video of someone doing a deep dive on AI-generated music. It's also just an entertaining video that gives people insight into today's discussion. Anyways, enjoy yourselves and thanks for reading! (＠＾◡＾)

To be a butterfly: a journal entry (6)

 

This is somewhat related to the post. I was listening to this when I was writing. This song is fucking beautiful to me lmao. I hope you guys like it! :)))

    I remember a while ago, Erykah Badu said something along the lines of “in order for you to grow, a part of you has to die,” you know, so you can move forward in life. When I was 18 and first heard that, it stuck with me for a bit, but I didn’t think much of it. At the time, I didn’t think it applied to me…but being older now, I realize that statement applies to everyone, including myself. I hope I don’t sound weird when I say this, but I look at people the same way I look at butterflies; we have so many phases in life, and none of us actually start life as a butterfly. 

    Growing into who you are and what you want to be, it takes work; it takes you going through multiple stages. There’s a weird level of grief that’s tied into growth as well. Wanting more from yourself (sometimes) means letting parts of yourself go and change. In a weird-ass way, you have to mourn yourself. You have to mourn the parts of you that won’t be able to see your butterfly stage…but most times, it’s good to let go anyway. 

- P.S. I went to a restaurant yesterday and got a fortune cookie that said: “Modify your thinking to adapt to new situations.” I felt it applied to me, so that was the inspiration for today. LMAO 

- CD ★

How Hip-Hop Influenced the Sh*t Out of Me

 

This is kinda related to today's post lol. I also just like this song and wanted to show it here. I hope you guys enjoy! :)))

• Word Count: 618

    I know I talk about my senior year of high school a lot – and I know I should probably stop – but it’s really where a lot of this shit started. A lot of the shit I’m into now stems from me experimenting in high school. Back then, I had a little more leeway; I went to places I shouldn’t have gone, and I found out things I had no business finding out, but that doesn’t mean I regret it. I love hip-hop. 

    When I found out about N.W.A at 17, I did a full deep-dive on hip-hop itself; the origins of it, the main pioneers, hell, there are things about hip-hop that I haven't discovered yet. The main thing that attracted me to it was how bold it was; the music was bold, and so was the culture surrounding it. The people in hip-hop- you can tell they have so much fun with what they do. If anybody’s willing to experiment, be bold, and fuck around finding out, it would be a rapper. Hip-hop isn’t allowed to be “normal” or bland, and that’s what I like about it (and that’s not to shit on other genres, so don’t start). 

    So anyway, you could imagine how 17-year-old me felt when I was introduced to everything. Bro, I was all over it; the graffiti culture, the fashion, I found my way into skate culture and fell in love with that too, grind fiction, the whole nine yards. Before I knew it, the shit was influencing the media I consumed, nearly dictating my life, and I happily let it. Hip-hop is a form of escapism for me. You know, in Kendrick Lamar’s album, Section.80, where he was saying he was hypnotized by hip-hop? That’s how I feel about it too. 

    Similar to metal and rock, there are so many subgenres in rap music. That’s why I don’t take people seriously when people say they won’t listen to it. Motherfuckers listen to one song they don’t like and start generalizing the whole genre. I will say, while we’re on the topic, there’s a lot of anti-blackness directed at hip-hop too. It’s one of the only genres that still has a majority of Black artists. For years, Black people have deeply influenced – if not directly created – the majority of music genres, and every time, we have been pushed out and ostracized. It’s like making a club, inviting a shitload of people, and then they kick you out. It’s bullshit, ain’t it? With that being said, I feel this weird sense of protection for hip-hop. So many people are so quick to disrespect the genre, and at the same time, want to copy it. It’s like they don’t want Black people to have anything, and it irritates me. 

    Irritation and disrespect aside, though, the last thing that makes me love hip-hop is the pride. When it comes to hip-hop, no one is ashamed of their roots or who they are. If anything, rappers and MCs let their roots influence their artistry. I know I’ve said this before, but seeing people be proud and love themselves- it makes me want to do it also. Rap music, along with the culture tied to it, has to be one of the most lively things I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve never seen something that I wanted to be a part of so badly; it was something I involved myself in with no hesitation, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Hip-hop taught me love, pride, and a level of confidence I know for a fact I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. Needless to say, it influenced the shit out of me. LMAOOO 

- CD ★

☆ BONUS MATERIAL (FOR FUN :) ☆

I also wanted to play the song I was referring to when I talked about Kendrick Lamar. I also just like this song too lol. Thanks for listening! :D

NOLA: A Reflection by CD

 

This isn't related to this post, honestly. It's just the video I thought of when I was editing the article. I hope you guys like it anyway lol. :)))

• Word Count: 459

    I went on a vacation a week ago and took a train to New Orleans. Overall? It was nice! Hot as hell? About to melt? Yes, but nice either way. A while ago, I talked about wanting more out of my life; I said I didn’t like how it was going, and all that kind of stuff. I felt like something was missing…and I think I found it in New Orleans. 

    Now, realistically, could I live in New Orleans? Fuck no. The heat was something I couldn’t even describe; too many men got weird with us since we were tourists, and everybody looks at you like they want to run you over when you’re crossing the street. Well…that last one can apply to all of the states, but that’s not the point! The things I didn’t like about New Orleans, the city made up for it ten times over. There was so much art and pretty things to look at in Louisiana. Everywhere you go has a fucking mural, graffiti, or some other form of art. I even went to an art exhibit for the first time with my brother. The shit was awesome; I loved it. I saw an underground band play some jazz shit too. 

- I honestly wish I could show you guys, but I wouldn’t even be able to credit the band. By the time I got there, they had already introduced themselves. :’)

    The reason why I found what I was missing had a lot to do with the environment; I needed a change in scenery. Not to mention New Orleans is just so lively and cultural. Everyone was having fun, everyone was outside, and everyone was Black. I don’t give a fuck what anyone says; it’s nice to be around people who look like you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in the South too, and I love it down here…but the people down here? Where I’m at? Let’s just say they’re good at making people feel uncomfortable. So, to be in a spot where people didn’t do that so much? I’m more thankful than I want to admit. 

I think taking that train to Louisiana made me realize my life itself wasn’t the problem; I’m just bored as shit. I know my hometown like the back of my fucking hand. Every crevice, nook, and cranny- I got that shit down. I think I’ve gotten to the point where I’m just bored with where I am. I’m not even talking about mentally this time. You know what? Maybe I can get on that train again. I can just say “fuck it,” and see how far it takes me. I can’t do it, though; I still got some shit to figure out. I’ll get there one day.

- CD ★

August Announcements: Album & Film of the Month, Content Updates, & More

 

This video is somewhat related to today's post. This is for anyone who wants to learn more about Outkast. I hope you guys enjoy it! :)))

Hey everyone! My bad for being less active online; I got a lot going on, if we're being honest. However, the grind does not stop, my people LMAOOOO. I still love my blog, and I still got things to do. Anyway, I have a few announcements for the month. I'll be quick! 

1. For album of the month? You KNOW we had to go with Stankonia by Outkast (2000). I really liked the album and took the time to showcase it on the blog. I really hope you all enjoy it. Also, you can check out my album review if you want. 
2. Now for film of the month, I decided to go with Politickin' by Palmer Williams, and I loved how the film was shot. Even though the themes aren't as similar, I still wanted to show it off on the blog. I'm actually mad I didn't find his work sooner lol. 
3. Honestly, you guys have small pieces coming from me soon. They're going to be more personal pieces. I feel I've been doing good on the blog, talking about nerdy shit and everything, but sometimes I want to switch it up. So, I'm going to be doing that. 
4. Now...I would talk about my plans for YouTube, but I'm very sure I said some shit last month, and I wasn't able to go through with it. So, you know what? I'm just going to surprise everyone and upload when I want to. LMAO

    Alright, that was it; there wasn't much for this month, I'm sorry! I do hope you guys enjoy yourselves this month, and I'll talk to you guys later! ^o^