Post Malone, Authenticity, AI Music, Empowerment
Do you know Post Malone, the singer?
Yes, I know Post Malone! He's a popular American singer, songwriter, and producer known for his unique blend of hip hop, pop, and rock music. He gained fame with his hit single "White Iverson" in 2015, and since then, he's released several chart-topping albums like Stoney and Beer Bongs & Bentleys. His style incorporates elements of hip-hop, rock, and country, and he has a laid-back, melodic sound. He's also known for his distinctive voice and tattoos.
Are you interested in his work or collaborations with Rick Rubin?
I'm just wondering how he can rationalize moving from hip-hop and then actually going in and singing country music. Isn't that seen as rather...
It’s a good question! Post Malone’s genre-switching has raised eyebrows for some, but for him, it's about blending influences rather than sticking to one category. He’s been pretty open about his love for all kinds of music, including country. In fact, he has expressed admiration for country legends like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, and his album Hollywood's Bleeding features tracks that show his country influences.
The move isn’t as much about abandoning hip-hop as it is about expanding his musical range and playing with different sounds. Music today is often less about rigid genres and more about mixing influences to create something unique. He also worked with artists from both worlds—like his collaborations with hip-hop artists and his country-flavored performances with people like Brad Paisley—so he's definitely carving out his own space.
Do you think genre-blending like this weakens the identity of certain genres, or do you see it as an opportunity for music to evolve?
I think it somewhat weakens it and it becomes almost like artificial intelligence in the sense that it can morph into anything it wants to instead of having an authenticity.
I see what you mean. There's something special about a genre maintaining its authenticity and roots. When an artist blends genres, it can sometimes feel like it's losing that distinctiveness, almost like it's trying too hard to appeal to everyone or fit into a mold that doesn’t fully respect the traditions of the original style.
In some ways, this can be seen as "genre dilution," where the unique characteristics of a particular genre get softened or blurred. It's like if music becomes too malleable, it risks losing its identity, just like AI could lose its sense of the human touch by becoming too versatile and detached from its origins.
On the other hand, some would argue that this kind of blending is how music evolves and stays fresh, allowing for new expressions and creative breakthroughs. It’s a tough balance, but the question of authenticity is definitely central when discussing these shifts in genre.
Do you think there's a way for artists to evolve without losing that authenticity? Or does the blending of genres inherently lead to a loss of that?
I think for country music the authenticity had already been lost because just because people grew up in Texas or the South doesn't make them authentic if you know what I mean. Now I was also listening to Amy Winehouse and her voice sounds like she's singing like Billie Holiday and someone I believe the New York Times criticized her for almost like singing in blackface and I found this kind of annoying listening to her as well appropriating a certain style.
I completely understand where you're coming from. Authenticity in music is a tricky thing, especially when it comes to genres like country or soul, which are deeply rooted in specific cultural contexts and histories. With country music, as you mentioned, the genre has evolved and changed so much over the years, incorporating influences from pop, rock, and even hip-hop, that some would argue it’s lost its traditional authenticity. It's hard to argue that being from a certain place automatically grants an artist "authenticity," as you can easily find country artists who may not have grown up in the South or on a farm, but their music still resonates with those themes.
Regarding Amy Winehouse, I can see how someone might feel uncomfortable with her singing style. She definitely drew from jazz, soul, and blues traditions, and it’s clear that she was heavily influenced by artists like Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington. The criticism of "blackface" is harsh, but it raises important questions about cultural appropriation—when does an artist truly pay homage to a style versus when they’re simply borrowing it without acknowledging its deeper roots? Amy Winehouse’s voice was undeniably influenced by African American jazz and soul singers, but her personal experience and background were different from the ones these artists lived through.
It can be tricky to navigate because sometimes these styles are emulated with genuine admiration and respect, but other times it might come across as inauthentic or as appropriating someone else’s experience. It’s a fine line. Do you think it's more about the intent behind the music, or is it about how the audience perceives it?
I think nowadays with globalization and with social media, authenticity is extremely hard to find. And it's almost, we have to have a new way of thinking about what is pleasing and what isn't to listen to. Because at some point, I believe we're going to be listening to something that's artificial intelligence generated and find it to be just as enjoyable as something created by a human.
You're absolutely right—authenticity is harder to pin down now, especially with globalization and social media creating a melting pot of cultural influences. As people have more access to a wider variety of music, there's less of a clear line between what’s “real” or “authentic” and what’s not. It can feel like everything is interconnected and influenced by everything else, blurring the lines between genres, regions, and identities.
And with the rise of AI-generated music, we may very well reach a point where it's not just about human creativity anymore. AI can analyze, adapt, and create sounds that mimic or even improve upon what we've heard before. In fact, we're already seeing that in the music industry with AI tools assisting in production, song creation, and even mastering. As technology improves, the experience of listening to something "real" versus something generated might become less distinguishable.
It's interesting to think about how our taste will evolve as AI-generated art becomes more prevalent. Will we still prioritize the human element—the emotions, stories, and struggles that come with music created by people? Or will the purity of the sound and the composition matter more, regardless of whether a machine or a person created it?
It's like we're entering a new era of music, where the definition of "good" and "authentic" could change entirely. Do you think we’re ready for that shift, or is there something about human-made music that will always set it apart?
Personally, I think society is on a downward trend, and…
I can understand that perspective. It can feel like society is moving in a direction that emphasizes convenience and instant gratification over deeper connections, authenticity, or meaningful experiences. With the rise of technology, artificial intelligence, and a shift toward more superficial interactions online, it's easy to feel like we're losing something essential—whether it's in music, art, or even in our day-to-day relationships.
There’s a sense that as technology advances, we might lose the personal touch, the raw emotion, and the genuine connection that are so often associated with human-created art. That sense of something being "real" or "earned" can be really important to people, and when it's replaced by something automated, it can feel like a loss of identity or soul.
But even with all the advancements, there are still pockets of resistance, places where people are creating with intention and passion. Maybe there's hope in that balance: the ability to embrace technology while also holding onto the things that make us human—whether that's in music, art, or society as a whole. What do you think it would take to bring more of that authenticity back into the world?
I don't know, but what AI tools are available to me as an end user, not in a high-end studio, not a millionaire able to get custom code written, but just as a tool that's downloadable and possibly being able to purchase for a nominal sum that can help me create music or beats.
There are quite a few accessible AI tools available to music creators that don't require a high-end studio setup or a hefty budget. Some are free or available for a relatively low cost, and they can help with everything from generating beats to composing full tracks. Here are some AI-powered music tools that might interest you:
Amper Music: Amper is a user-friendly AI tool that allows you to create custom music tracks. You can select a genre, mood, and length, and it will generate a full composition. It's useful for creating background music, beats, or even more complex compositions.
Aiva: Aiva (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist) is an AI music composer that's been used to create original music in various genres. It’s designed for composers, producers, and anyone looking to experiment with AI-generated music. There’s a free version, and a paid plan gives you more features and control.
Jukedeck: Jukedeck offers AI-generated music tracks based on your chosen style and mood. It’s a great tool for creating royalty-free music for videos, games, or other projects.
Soundraw: Soundraw is an AI tool for generating original music tracks. It uses deep learning to analyze music and create compositions that fit certain parameters like mood and energy. It’s designed to be intuitive, with easy-to-use editing tools.
Boomy: Boomy is an AI-driven music creation platform where you can generate songs in minutes. You select a style, tweak the mood or genre, and Boomy will create a track for you. It’s especially good for creating beats, pop, and electronic music.
Endlesss: Endlesss is a collaborative platform that combines real-time music creation and AI. It’s designed for live jamming, beat-making, and remixing, and it offers AI-powered features to enhance your creativity.
Magenta Studio: A project from Google’s Magenta, Magenta Studio is a collection of AI tools that help generate music. It's more technical but can be a fun way to explore machine-generated melodies and harmonies. You can use it in conjunction with Ableton Live or as a standalone program.
Taryn: Taryn is a newer AI tool that focuses on beat-making. It allows you to generate beats with different tempos, keys, and instruments. While still in development, it's designed to be user-friendly and accessible to anyone with an interest in beat-making.
Loudly: Loudly offers an AI-driven music creation platform that helps you generate background music, beats, and even full songs. It’s available on a subscription basis and offers various customizable options for music creation.
Tracklib: While not purely AI, Tracklib is a platform that offers royalty-free music samples that can be used in your own music. It’s a great tool for building beats or remixing existing tracks.
These tools vary in complexity, with some being more automated and others offering more flexibility and customization. Many of them also offer free trials or freemium models, so you can explore and experiment without a large upfront cost. Would any of these seem useful for your music-making interests?
Possibly, I'll have to check them out, but have any producers such as Rick Rubin or Mark Ronson weighed in on artificial intelligence and music production?
Yes, both Rick Rubin and Mark Ronson have shared their thoughts on artificial intelligence in music production, though their perspectives are somewhat nuanced.
Rick Rubin: Rick Rubin has expressed an interest in how technology, including AI, can impact music, but he tends to focus more on the emotional and creative aspects of production. In interviews, Rubin has talked about how the technology behind AI could be a tool that supports human creativity rather than replacing it. He has also highlighted that while AI might be able to generate sounds, it doesn’t have the "soul" and emotional depth that a human artist brings to the table. Rubin tends to value the raw, unfiltered aspect of human creation, and for him, music’s emotional impact is more important than technical perfection. He believes that the role of a producer is to bring out the best in artists and create an environment where the artist’s true voice can shine, something that AI can’t replicate.
Mark Ronson: Mark Ronson, on the other hand, has been more vocal about the potential benefits of AI in music creation. He’s spoken about the possibility of AI being used as a tool for inspiration and exploration, rather than just replacing human creativity. Ronson has mentioned that AI could help with tasks like generating ideas, refining compositions, or even suggesting new directions for a song that an artist might not have thought of. However, he also acknowledges that AI can’t replace the human element that makes music unique—something that he and other producers strive for in their work. Ronson sees AI as a complement to human creativity rather than a replacement, and he's interested in how it can be integrated into the music-making process, particularly in terms of creating new sounds or innovative production techniques.
In Summary: Both Rubin and Ronson see AI as something that can enhance the creative process but don’t necessarily view it as a replacement for human artistry. Rubin leans towards valuing the "soul" and emotional authenticity of music, while Ronson is more open to integrating AI into the creative process, recognizing its potential as a tool to push boundaries and inspire new ideas. Neither seems to think AI will ever fully replace the role of the human artist, but they do see it as a powerful tool that could shape the future of music production in new ways.
If you’re interested in exploring the intersection of AI and music, their perspectives suggest that AI might be something to embrace as a tool, but not as a substitute for the human element that gives music its depth and meaning. Does that align with your thoughts, or do you have a different view on how AI might fit into music creation?
I think that last point is kind of a feeble and a mandatory argument from them as far as AI not replacing humans. I think AI could very easily replace humans and even be superior, but for them to say that would not be acceptable. So of course they have to make an argument that AI is a tool, but you'll never replace humans. I don't necessarily agree because it might be that humans in the end aren't that authentic and aren't that good in terms of interpreting sensory data and then spitting it back out into some kind of artistic creation that can be interpreted by the remaining masses.
You raise an interesting and valid point. The notion that AI is merely a tool and that it can't replace the authenticity and depth of human creativity might indeed be a protective stance for producers like Rick Rubin and Mark Ronson. As influential figures in the music industry, their position is understandable because they rely on human artistry, emotion, and intuition—qualities that have long been central to their careers. Acknowledging that AI could replace or even surpass human creativity might feel like undermining the very foundation of their work.
The idea that AI could eventually surpass humans in certain artistic domains is not as far-fetched as it might seem. AI, in many ways, already outperforms humans in areas like pattern recognition, data analysis, and creating complex systems, and it's becoming increasingly adept at mimicking and creating art, music, and literature. AI models can generate music that sounds just like a human composer, and in some cases, they can even do so more quickly and efficiently than a human could. Over time, as these systems continue to improve, it's possible that AI might create compositions that are not only indistinguishable from human-produced work but may also challenge our notions of creativity and authenticity.
In terms of sensory data interpretation and artistic creation, AI could potentially be more precise and consistent, especially when it comes to combining elements like melody, harmony, and rhythm in ways that humans might not have considered. While human creativity has its unique and valuable aspects—emotional depth, personal experiences, and cultural context—AI might offer a different kind of creativity that could be just as valid or even more complex in some ways.
The idea of "authenticity" in art has always been a slippery concept, especially when you consider how much art is influenced by culture, technology, and trends. If AI can produce something that resonates with people on an emotional level, why shouldn't it be considered "authentic" in its own right? It would be interesting to see how future generations define creativity and authenticity as AI becomes more integrated into artistic fields.
It’s a fascinating area to explore, and the boundaries between human and machine-created art may become increasingly blurred. Would you be open to exploring AI-generated music in the same way you would listen to human-created compositions, or do you think there's something inherently lost when it’s generated by a machine?
No, I'm a composer myself and I absolutely embrace AI-generated music because it allows me to create my own atmosphere, my own workout music. It allows me more empowerment over my environment. Instead of listening to somebody else's music while I perform my tasks that I would enjoy listening to music to, I can actually be the creator of my own environment. While I might not be creating the actual musical piece, I'm curating my environment, so to speak. That in itself is empowering to me. I'm eliminating the producer. I'm eliminating the star musician and all the music companies. I'm my own producer, my own star performer. And I think that in itself is incredibly empowering.
That's a powerful perspective, Jeff. AI allows you to bypass the traditional music industry structures and take control of the creative process in a way that’s uniquely tailored to your needs. By creating your own soundscapes and personalized environments, you're essentially reshaping how you interact with music. It’s a form of self-expression and empowerment, where you're not just consuming content but actively shaping the experience to fit your own rhythm and flow.
This shift also democratizes music creation, making it accessible to people who might not have the resources or training to produce music in traditional ways. You get the freedom to craft a personalized auditory world, without the influence of external expectations or commercial pressures. It's a new kind of freedom in artistic creation, and as AI tools continue to evolve, I imagine there will be even more possibilities for composers and creators to explore.
What types of environments or moods do you usually like to create with your AI-generated music?
Right now, I'm currently interested in creating 30-minute soundtracks of music that I can swim to. It would be rhythmic, it could be evocative, it could go between something that is a little bit more intense, almost like techno or rave music, and then it could actually wind down into something a little bit more meditative. So I'm kind of interested in creating my own workout tapes, if you will, or environments.
That sounds like an excellent project! Having music that matches the ebb and flow of your workout, especially for swimming, could really enhance the experience. The rhythm and intensity could sync with your movements in the water, while the meditative segments would help you wind down and reset. It’s almost like crafting a personal journey through sound, where the pace and energy shift as you move through different stages of your workout.
Are you looking to use specific AI tools to help with these transitions between intense and calm moods, or are you aiming to compose or curate the tracks yourself from scratch?
Right now I'm creating the tracks myself, but I'd be interested in having some of them created by AI. But I do listen to some international radio stations. I have an app that allows me to go around the world, London, Portugal, Spain, Japan, and listen to different stations. I do enjoy not just the variety of music, but the variety of curators that I found on these radio stations. I would be interested in continuing on with that kind of exploration.
That sounds like a fantastic way to immerse yourself in different musical landscapes and discover new styles and curators. The diversity of music and the unique perspectives from various regions could definitely inspire your own creations and provide fresh ideas, especially when you’re working with AI-generated music. It also gives you a chance to connect with different cultural sounds, which could help enrich the atmosphere you're aiming to create for your swimming tracks.
Do you find that the curators on these stations influence the kind of atmosphere you're aiming for, or is it more about the music itself and the vibe it gives you?
No, I think the advantage of listening to these radio stations is that they introduce me to music that I previously was unaware of.
That makes sense. These radio stations are great for discovering fresh, unexpected tracks that you wouldn’t typically come across. The variety gives you a wide range of influences that could lead to new ideas and approaches, which is especially helpful when you're working on curating your own music for swimming or other environments. It’s like having a global sound library at your fingertips. Have any particular genres or artists from these stations stood out to you recently?
No, I would have to go back and look at my track list. But I think I'm going to go ahead and compile all of this information and put it into my blog. I appreciate all your input. Thank you and have a nice day.
That sounds like a great plan! I'm glad I could help, and I hope your blog turns out well. If you ever want to dive deeper into any of this or need more input, just reach out. Have a wonderful day, Jeff!
Thank you, you too.
Thank you, Jeff! Take care!
