A$AP Rocky Prefers Old-School Music-Making Amid AI Debate

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making its way into recording studios, but A$AP Rocky prefers a more hands-on approach.

In a recent interview with Complex published on October 14, the rapper talked about the increasing use of AI in music, touching on the criticism faced by Tyga and Fenix Flexin. While he values a practical approach, he does not see the technology as entirely negative. “Me, personally, I prefer to do things myself, practically,” he said.

Rocky cited Kanye West’s “Good Morning” from Graduation as an example of how AI could be beneficial. Instead of creating a new song, he mentioned that the technology could separate vocals from instrumentals, enabling another artist to rap over the existing beat. “AI has a lot of negative connotations. I don’t think when it’s used in certain ways that it’s necessarily a right or wrong thing,” he stated. “AI is supposed to be a tool in that sense.”

He also raised the question of who determines the standards for music creation: “If somebody does a totally AI-generated song where all they did was prompt something, then I think that that’s their thing. But who am I to say what’s standard and what’s not?”

Despite the advancements, his personal approach remains unchanged. “I’m just doing me out here, and I’m doing my music practically — the right way,” Rocky noted. “I’m really tapping [in] with musicians, producers, beat makers, just to convey my sound and develop my sound.”

The discussions around AI in music have gained traction amid controversies involving other artists. In August, Tyga admitted to using AI for certain instrumental components on his latest album, $TARFACE, including synthesizers and guitar sounds. He emphasized that he managed the writing and vocals himself and compared AI’s emergence to the initial reactions to Auto-Tune.

Fenix Flexin faced scrutiny regarding his viral song “Rubberz.” Initially denying claims that it was AI-generated, he later acknowledged that AI software had been utilized.

The broader conversation has created divisions within the music industry. In 2024, over 200 artists, including Nicki Minaj, Jadakiss, Metro Boomin, Stevie Wonder, Billie Eilish, and Harry Styles, signed an open letter from the Artist Rights Alliance calling on technology companies to refrain from using AI in ways that could undermine human creativity, artists’ rights, and fair compensation.

When asked about his concerns regarding the future of Hip Hop, Rocky expressed confidence: “No, not really. I just analyze it. I can’t worry about something I have no control over. I just contribute what I can. So I can’t really worry about what I have no control over,” he stated.

The 38-year-old referenced Playboi Carti, who emerged from his AWGE collective, as an example of how the genre evolves. He credited Carti with influencing the rise of rage music and added, “So I’m more embraceful towards it, even if I don’t get it, even if it’s not for me.”

Rocky also commended Teezo Touchdown, Tyler, The Creator, Frank Ocean, and Laila! as artists who continue to advance Hip Hop and R&B.