Lucian Grainge's Fake Rap War: Testing A.I. on Masses.

Are you not entertained ? A battle that fans have been wanting to see for 10 years finally unfolded right before our eyes. Drake and J.Cole proclaiming a Big 3, Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar teaming up to bring us "Like That," which would seemingly be the 1st official blow of the battle. J. Cole buckling under pressure and responding reluctantly just to take his diss track back a few days later, setting the stage for the showdown of the century: Kendrick Vs. Drake. Twitter was ablaze for over a month with fan bases dishing dirt, talking trash, and explaining why their favorite MC is the best. Then Drake released "Pushups," and engagement on social media went ablaze, but something was different this time. There seemingly were other diss tracks that were said to be by Drake, but they were actually A.I. generated. It became a mystery if it was actually "The Boy" or not. Then something else interesting happened; fans started to make comedic parody diss records. One, in particular, stood out the most, titled "BBL Drizzy," created by @KingWillonius (Twitter name). This song has a soulful flair that sounded like Eddie Ruffin himself laid the vocals. This is the moment Topboompop knew something was up.

Rewind to 2021 FN Meka, an A.I artist signed to Capital Records, a subsidiary of Universal Records, appeared and made quite a stir on the internet. FN Meka was shut down by Capital due to the lack of authenticity of the use of AI and the backlash it received from displaying stereotypical imagery of a black artist. This was the 1st attempt by the majors to capitalize on AI. Fast forward to January 2024, Lucian Grainge, whom Kanye proclaimed as Drake's rich baby daddy, CEO of Universal, made it clear to staff in his "2024 Annual Memo" stated that Universal would be moving artists to an Artist-Centric Model that would properly compensate artists in additional ways, including fan engagement, and he was very vocal about how the label doesn't see AI as an obstacle but an opportunity to increase revenue. Of course, they would do the due diligence of lobbying Congress to have bills passed to protect artists like and kindness from being used by non-affiliates like the general public, but that's just playing good old defense. What did Lucian mean by seeing AI as presenting an opportunity? We'll come back to that.

Drake releases "Taylor Made," which actually features AI voices of Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur on the record in an attempt to poke at Kendrick and force a hasty response. For 17 days, we all waited, wondering what some would call the most inspiring artist of this generation to reply. During that time, something interesting happened. People were giving their reviews on the AI diss. Podcasts all over the country gave mixed reviews on the A.I voices, but overall it didn't affect the public view of Drake. In fact, some listeners gave Drake the edge in the battle and already declared him the victor, which was subjective up until that point, but one thing was for sure, Record Universal had secured their 1st win with the use of AI. No money was generated off the record; in fact, it was removed a few days later, but what the labels had managed to do was gain fan acceptance. Universal used its biggest artist to dry test this effort of fan engagement/acceptance using AI.

Kendrick responds and lets the 6 God have it with a barrage of insults, including questioning his cultural authenticity, woman choice, and parenting skills. But one line stuck out in his lyrics: "I pray they my real friends. If not, I'm YNW Melly." This seemed fishy too, and people began to wonder if this was all a staged show and everyone was in on the heist except the listener? Afterwards, each artist threw shot after shot at each other, cutting deeper and deeper with their sharp tongues (pause), until Kendrick drops "They Not Like Us." The weight of this record hit harder than Fat Man and Little Boy in Japan, instantly becoming a summer anthem declaring Kendrick Lamar the winner. Metro Boomin, the producer who apparently masterminded the feud, has started a contest allowing independent artists to join in on the fun by adding their own diss track to the modified AI-generated record "BBL Drizzy." Metro, Drake, and Kendrick are all under the Universal umbrella,

So it doesn't make much sense to potentially allow any real long-term damage to an artist's career...unless one artist was tired of the persona he currently has. Inside sources say Drake was tired and needed his counterparts to kill his image and allow other artists to strengthen their brand so Universal can have a more balanced flow of income from other acts on the label. This part is just a theory. Universal is also interested in using technology to advocate for music to be used as a form of therapy for fans. This sounds similar to what Topbooompop is currently doing with our flagship VST product, allowing everyday users to work through feelings via the music-making process. Universal may take a slightly different approach, like using artist likenesses to generate positive personalized messages to end users. In closing, whether the battle between Drake and Kendrick was real or not, it was a win for Universal and a potential concerning loss for artists in the future concerning control over the creation of their music. The real battle has just begun.

As Sean Carter would say “It’s only entertainment”.

Topboompop recently got hands-on with the new Humane A.I. Pin, and despite some harsh reviews, it's not as bad as Marques Brownlee suggests. This wearable AI assistant boasts impressive high-quality hardware and shows great promise for the future.The Humane A.I. Pin is built solidly, and while there is a gap between its ambitious concept and current performance, it’s clear that the foundation is strong. Yes, it’s sometimes slow to respond and occasionally gives incorrect answers, but these are issues that can be refined with software updates.

The user interface is innovative, featuring gesture-based controls and a laser projector interface. While these features are currently a bit challenging, they represent a bold step forward in wearable tech. The potential for improvement here is huge, and future iterations could make these controls more intuitive and practical.

Reliability is an area for growth, but the device’s issues with battery life and overheating are not insurmountable. These are common hurdles in new tech that can be addressed in subsequent versions. The Humane A.I. Pin’s creators have already shown they can deliver high-quality hardware, so it's reasonable to expect they will tackle these challenges effectively.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Humane A.I. Pin is its vision of a standalone device that reduces screen time. Although it currently lacks integration with smartphones and popular apps, this direction points towards a future where our tech is less intrusive and more seamlessly integrated into our lives.

Cost is always a consideration, and while the Humane A.I. Pin is on the pricey side with additional subscription fees, it’s important to remember that innovation often comes at a premium. Early adopters are investing in the potential of this technology to evolve and improve.

In summary, the Humane A.I. Pin is a forward-thinking device with some kinks to work out. Despite its current limitations, it’s headed in the right direction, and with ongoing improvements, it has the potential to become a strong competitor in the wearable tech market.

Topboompop at RSA Conference 2024: Cybersecurity and Alicia Keys Rocking the Stage

Topboompop hit up the RSA Conference 2024 in San Francisco, diving into the latest and greatest in cybersecurity. This epic event, known for bringing together tech innovations, wrapped up with a killer performance by Alicia Keys, who rocked the stage with hits like "Empire State of Mind" and "Girl on Fire." Talk about a perfect mix of tech and tunes!

The RSA Conference is where all the cybersecurity big shots hang out. Major players like Symantec, McAfee, and Palo Alto Networks were there, showing off their newest software to keep hackers at bay. Cloud giants like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud flaunted their top-notch cloud security solutions. Network security legends like Cisco and Fortinet showed off their gear to protect everything from your home Wi-Fi to massive corporate networks.

Big consulting firms like Deloitte, PwC, and Accenture shared their know-how on building solid cybersecurity strategies and managing risks. The event also gave a spotlight to cool startups like Darktrace and SentinelOne, which are using AI to catch cyber threats. Hardware biggies like Intel and ARM showcased their latest tech for keeping physical devices safe. Plus, regulatory and compliance gurus like NIST and ISO dropped some serious knowledge on staying legit and secure in a world full of rules.

The RSA Conference 2024 was a wild ride, giving Topboompop and everyone else a sneak peek into the future of cybersecurity. With a ton of companies showing off their groundbreaking innovations, the event was a tech lover's dream. And with Alicia Keys bringing the house down, it was clear that this conference was all about blending cutting-edge tech with amazing creativity. What a vibe! Check the some footage below.