For some artists, using AI during the creative process is like ripping the soul out of an intimate human experience.
Tyga, however, doesn’t have those qualms.
During an August interview with Vibe, the rapper revealed he relied on at least one AI music program while crafting his ninth studio album, “$tarface.” The 80s-inspired project, released last month, sees Tyga don a new “Miami Vice”-esque alter ego who has a penchant for Jheri curls, sleek retro Ferraris, and synthpop.
“I’ve never spoken on this with anybody because I always felt like it’s similar to a magician explaining how he does his tricks,” Tyga told the outlet.
AI has certainly cast a spell across Hollywood, where the technology is transforming how the entertainment industry functions, from studio executives to background actors.
While some creatives view AI as a powerful tool that can speed up production, cut labor costs, and streamline repetitive tasks, others aren’t sold. Many artists are concerned that AI will displace human workers, cheapen the creative process, and steal their work without proper compensation. AI sat at the crux of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and Writers Guild strikes, which both lasted over 100 days, crippling the industry.
Tyga, though, has embraced the adapt or die mentality. He said he used AI to add certain elements to “$tarface,” like 80s-era synths, but did the vocals and lyrics himself.
“I know people are going to be mad about me saying this, but it’s where technology is going,” Tyga told Vibe. “It’s no different than when Auto-Tune came out. Some people were opposed to it, but real artists took it and used it.”
“There’s nothing wrong with using technology as a tool,” he added.
Unsurprisingly, the backlash was swift. Pitchfork rated “$tarface” 0.0 out of 10, the lowest score the music publication has awarded an album since the late 2000s, in part due to Tyga’s use of AI.
“Given the amount of actual effort or even labor put into $TARFACE — which is to say, about zero — the margins on this thing must be amazing,” Drew Millard wrote for Pitchfork. “Stream it out of morbid curiosity if you must, but know that even a single listen runs the risk of making it profitable and therefore encouraging the music industry to commit such atrocities again.”
Doja Cat, who collaborated with Tyga on two songs, criticized his decision during a livestream last week.
“Nobody asked me anything about Tyga, but I felt like saying this,” the rapper said. “Tyga is a penis for making an AI album.”
Audiences on social media haven’t been much kinder. Despite the backlash, Tyga joins a growing number of artists proudly using AI in their artistic endeavors.
Superstar producer Timbaland faced backlash in 2023 for using AI to recreate the voice of The Notorious B.I.G. on a song, but he hasn’t caved to critics in the years since. In fact, he’s gone all-in. Timbaland launched an AI entertainment company, Stage Zero, in 2025 and aims to pioneer a new genre called “A-Pop.” His AI artist, TaTa, released her debut music video that October.
“TaTa is a living, learning, autonomous music artist built with AI. TaTa is the start of something bigger,” Timbaland told Billboard last year.
Grimes, the dream-pop artist linked to billionaire Elon Musk, has worn AI as a badge of honor. In 2023, she launched Elf Tech, an AI software that allows users to create songs with her voice. Artists can commercially release the finished songs as long as they split 50% of the master-recording royalties.
Nick Carter of The Backstreet Boys has also used AI in new projects. In a 2025 interview with The Comics Beat, Carter said he used AI to create the official lyric video for his “Hey Kid,” and a comic book-themed music video series.
In some cases, the artist isn’t even human. Tilly Norwood is an AI pop star created by Particle6. Her debut music video, “Take the Lead,” has amassed over 475,000 views since March.
Another example is Fenix Flexin, whose summer hit “Rubberz” was ravaged by AI allegations since its release in June. The rapper initially distanced himself from the AI accusations, but later admitted to using the technology during production, according to Rolling Stone. Even so, “Rubberz” resonated with audiences and charted on Billboard’s Hot 100, the Stereogum reported.
Tyga, meanwhile, doubled down on his use of AI during an interview with TMZ last week.
“At the end of the day, I’m better than the AI and I’ve proven that for the last 15 years. So, it doesn’t bother somebody like me, but I think maybe there’s people that are scared that it’s going to, you know, take their position and replace them,” Tyga said. “It’s just a part of technology.”
