In a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, a 23-year-old from South Central Los Angeles has found a way to weaponize the technology and infiltrate the rap war between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Sy the Rapper, an aspiring musician, managed to create an AI-generated Kendrick Lamar diss track that went viral and had the internet in a frenzy.
Everything you need to know:
✓ Sy the Rapper used AI to replicate Kendrick Lamar, fooling many
✓ Artist raises concerns about AI spreading misinformation, disrupting music industry
✓ Sy reveals truth, concerned about damaging narrative surrounding Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar diss that sounded “Dated” was actually an ingenious AI stunt
“I thought people were going to know that it was AI,” Sy tells Complex. “Although it did sound real, it sounded like an old version of Kendrick Lamar. It didn’t sound like his more up-to-date style, at least in my opinion. The style sounded kind of dated, so I just thought that would be a giveaway, but apparently it wasn’t.”
Sy had only been experimenting with AI technology for a year when he decided to insert himself into the escalating hip-hop feud. After successfully creating a Kanye West track using AI a few months prior, he set his sights on Kendrick Lamar. “I was going to make a Drake track first,” Sy reveals, “but his track leaked, and I didn’t really get around to doing it.”
The process of creating the AI Kendrick diss track was fairly straightforward for Sy, who has been a fan of the Compton rapper since 2013. He recorded himself rapping the lyrics he had written, then used an AI program called Jammable to apply Kendrick’s vocal style and cadence to the verses. The entire recording and generation process took around 2-3 hours.
“Before I would say the phrase, I would say an actual Kendrick Lamar line. So I would say lines from ‘ELEMENT’ just so my voice could be in the same cadence. Before I would say my line, I would go, ‘Hey, I’ve been stomped out in front of my mama.’ I would say it the exact way he would say it, so therefore my next line would come out sounding like Kendrick Lamar, because it’s hard for me to mimic other people, so I had to repeat his cadences from his real songs right before saying the phrases that I wrote down.”
Sy The Rapper
As artificial intelligence technology continues to evolve, the implications for the music industry become increasingly concerning. Sy acknowledges the potential dangers of this kind of technology, stating:
“Everything is a money game, but I don’t see AI replacing the feel of a real human being. I always say that the marketplace is determined by the consumer. You could have a product, but if everybody refuses to buy it, your product won’t sell.”
Sy The Rapper
Sy explains how Drake fans’ disbelief almost derailed his Kendrick AI diss reveal
However, the initial reaction to Sy’s AI diss track was one of confusion and skepticism. Despite his efforts to provide detailed evidence of his involvement, many were reluctant to believe him, especially those aligned with the Drake camp. One OVO affiliate even reached out to Sy, initially doubting his claims until he was presented with the full proof.
“I think some people are team Drake, so they run with whatever narrative that the Drake team puts out,” Sy explains. “But I also think that maybe I didn’t break it down enough. I did kind of run through the video because I had to make it a minute and 30 seconds. So it wasn’t a super thorough breakdown.”
Sy The Rapper
Ultimately, Sy decided to come forward and reveal the truth about the diss track, concerned that the narrative surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s involvement was becoming too damaging.
“I really didn’t think it would affect anything, but when I saw that narrative, I’m like, ‘Nah, I can’t just let that rock,’ because that’s just not the truth. That’s what made me debunk it.”
Sy The Rapper
As the rap war continues to unfold, with both Kendrick Lamar and Drake seemingly unfazed by the AI-generated diss, Sy remains a neutral spectator, content with having played his part in the ongoing saga.
“I would probably leave it alone [Laughs]. Just seeing everything, man, people are angry about that. I had a dude tell me I’m responsible for the war in Israel. What does that have to do with this? It’s crazy.”
Sy The Rapper
While the future of AI’s impact on the music industry remains uncertain, Sy’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for this technology to spread misinformation and disrupt the established order. As consumers, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and critical when consuming content, especially in the ever-evolving landscape of the rap world.
