Rapper Faces Backlash Over ChatGPT Lyric Experiment
Hip-hop has always had a complicated relationship with ghostwriting. While collaboration is common, the idea of an artist not writing their own verses is often seen as a cardinal sin. Even superstars like Drake have been unable to fully shake the asterisk placed on their careers by such allegations. But now, a new technological ghost has entered the machine: artificial intelligence. Chicago rapper BabyChiefDoIt is one of the first artists to find himself in the crosshairs of this new debate.
The ChatGPT Confession
During a recent interview on Power 105.1, the 17-year-old rapper was jokingly asked if he used ChatGPT for his punchlines. To the surprise of many, he admitted to experimenting with the AI tool. He explained that he fed the program four bars of his own to see what it would generate. "That shit works," he said of the results. While he insisted he didn't use the lyrics as they were written, he acknowledged it provided "some shit that I could pull out of," suggesting it was a useful source of inspiration.
Hip Hop's Reaction and the Backlash
The admission quickly sparked a firestorm online. For many in the hip-hop community, authenticity and lyrical skill are paramount. The idea of using an AI to help write rhymes was seen as a major violation of this code, detracting from the core principles of the art form. The backlash was swift, with many critics arguing that relying on AI is a step beyond ghostwriting and fundamentally undermines an artist's credibility.
The Rapper's Defense and Damage Control
Facing criticism, BabyChiefDoIt pushed back, claiming people were taking his comments too seriously. He argued that if he was truly using ChatGPT as a secret weapon, he would never have admitted it publicly. "If ChatGPT was the solution 2 all my problems Y in the absolute fuck would I give yall the sauce," he posted on his Instagram.
He also shared a screenshot of a text message offering advice on how to handle the media fallout. "We gotta make sure we always position things from the drivers seat," the message read. "We don’t wanna make it seem like you’re not a real writer and lyricist cause you are. People think you got ghost writers now. We never wanna discredit ourselves." This shows a clear attempt to manage the narrative and protect his reputation as a genuine artist in the face of this new-age controversy.
