Digital rapper FN Meka has more than 10.3 million followers on TikTok, but has been axed over concerns 'he' is racist. Photo: Capital Records
Digital rapper FN Meka has more than 10.3 million followers on TikTok, but has been axed over concerns 'he' is racist. Photo: Capital Records
Digital rapper FN Meka has more than 10.3 million followers on TikTok, but has been axed over concerns 'he' is racist. Photo: Capital Records
Digital rapper FN Meka has more than 10.3 million followers on TikTok, but has been axed over concerns 'he' is racist. Photo: Capital Records

Is controversial ‘robot rapper’ FN Meka the end of pop music as we know it?


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

The music business can be unforgiving to new artists in the real world. And, it seems the metaverse is no different.

Merely one week since signing “robot rapper” rapper FN Meka, major US record label Capitol Records announced it is severing ties with the virtual MC after an online backlash surrounding the act’s racially tinged imagery and content.

FN Meka, created by online content company Factory New, has been a hit on TikTok with more than 10.3 million followers. His videos, ranging from playing basketball to cooking in the metaverse, have already amassed more than a billion views.

The impressive figures were enough for Capitol Music Group — the parent company to labels with pop stars such as Paul McCartney, Katy Perry and Sam Smith — to sign FN Meka to its subsidiary Capitol Records, reportedly making the avatar the world's first augmented reality artist under contract to a major music label.

The move was followed with the release of FN Meka's debut single, Florida Water, earlier this month, which featured rapper Gunna and Clix, a popular player of the game Fortnite.

Instead of a hit, the collaboration was slammed for its caricature of African American culture.

With FN Meka not declaring himself to be an African American and his appearance — with light brown skin, gilded left hand, green eyes and braids — being racially ambiguous, critics lambasted his use of racial epithets in the song.

Capitol Music Group acknowledged the song's problematic content. “CMG has severed ties with the FN Meka project, effective immediately," it said.

“We offer our deepest apologies to the black community for our insensitivity in signing this project without asking enough questions about equity and the creative process behind it.

“We thank those who have reached out to us with constructive feedback in the past couple of days — your input was invaluable as we came to the decision to end our association with the project.”

Who is the team behind FN Meka?

The avatar is created by Factory New, dubbed a "next-generation music company, specialising in virtual beings".

In an interview with trade publication Music Business Weekly, company co-founder Anthony Martini explained FN Meka is voiced by a human whose music is based on artificial intelligence. In another interview with The New York Times, Martini went on to stress FN Meka is voiced by a "black guy".

"We’ve developed a proprietary AI technology that analyses certain popular songs of a specified genre and generates recommendations for the various elements of song construction: lyrical content, chords, melody, tempo, sounds, etc. We then combine these elements to create the song," he said.

"As of now, a human voice performs the vocals, but we are working towards the ability to have a computer come up with and perform its own words — and even collaborate with other computers as 'co-writers'."

If that’s not enough to send a chill up the spine of traditional music consumers, Martini’s reasoning behind the future growth of virtual artists poses real concerns about the state of pop music today.

“Not to get all philosophical. But what is an ‘artist’ today? Think about the biggest stars in the world. How many of them are just vessels for commercial endeavours?” he said.

While FN Meka's controversial song can still be found on YouTube, it has been deleted from major music streaming platform Spotify.

Scroll the gallery below for images from the inaugural 'Fortnite' World Cup

  • A general view of the Fortnite World Cup Finals during Round One in New York City. AFP
    A general view of the Fortnite World Cup Finals during Round One in New York City. AFP
  • A general view of the Fortnite World Cup Finals during Round One in New York City. AFP
    A general view of the Fortnite World Cup Finals during Round One in New York City. AFP
  • A general view of the Fortnite World Cup Finals during Round One in New York City. AFP
    A general view of the Fortnite World Cup Finals during Round One in New York City. AFP
  • Fans dressed in costume attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP
    Fans dressed in costume attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP
  • Fans attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP
    Fans attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP
  • Fans attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP
    Fans attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP
  • Fans attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP
    Fans attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP
  • A father and son attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP
    A father and son attend day one of the Fortnite World Cup Finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP
  • Fortnite team Chicken Champions react after winning set two during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
    Fortnite team Chicken Champions react after winning set two during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
  • Fortnite team Chicken Champions are awarded the Silver Llama after winning set two during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
    Fortnite team Chicken Champions are awarded the Silver Llama after winning set two during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
  • Cizzorz, Zand and Tyler of Fortnite team Fish Fam celebrate after winning the Fortnite World Cup Creative during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
    Cizzorz, Zand and Tyler of Fortnite team Fish Fam celebrate after winning the Fortnite World Cup Creative during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
  • Fortnite team Fish Fam celebrates after winning the Fortnite World Cup Creative during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
    Fortnite team Fish Fam celebrates after winning the Fortnite World Cup Creative during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
  • Fortnite team Fish Fam celebrates after winning the Fortnite World Cup Creative during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
    Fortnite team Fish Fam celebrates after winning the Fortnite World Cup Creative during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
  • Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon reacts to fans prior to participating in the Pro-AM during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
    Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon reacts to fans prior to participating in the Pro-AM during the Fortnite World Cup Finals e-sports event at Arthur Ashe Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
Lexus LX700h specs

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Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

Results:

5pm: Handicap (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600 metres

Winner: Dasan Da, Saeed Al Mazrooei (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m

Winner: AF Saabah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Handicap (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,600m

Winner: Mukaram, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel

6.30pm: Handicap (PA) | Dh80,000 | 2,200m

Winner: MH Tawag, Richard Mullen, Elise Jeanne

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) | Dh70,000 | 1,400m

Winner: RB Inferno, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) | Dh100,000 | 1,600m

Winner: Juthoor, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy

Sweet%20Tooth
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2. Prayer

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4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

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AIDA%20RETURNS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECarol%20Mansour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAida%20Abboud%2C%20Carol%20Mansour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5.%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Score

Third Test, Day 1

New Zealand 229-7 (90 ov)
Pakistan

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat

AT%20A%20GLANCE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWindfall%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EAn%20%E2%80%9Cenergy%20profits%20levy%E2%80%9D%20to%20raise%20about%20%C2%A35%20billion%20in%20a%20year.%20The%20temporary%20one-off%20tax%20will%20hit%20oil%20and%20gas%20firms%20by%2025%20per%20cent%20on%20extraordinary%20profits.%20An%2080%20per%20cent%20investment%20allowance%20should%20calm%20Conservative%20nerves%20that%20the%20move%20will%20dent%20North%20Sea%20firms%E2%80%99%20investment%20to%20save%20them%2091p%20for%20every%20%C2%A31%20they%20spend.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EA%20universal%20grant%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EEnergy%20bills%20discount%2C%20which%20was%20effectively%20a%20%C2%A3200%20loan%2C%20has%20doubled%20to%20a%20%C2%A3400%20discount%20on%20bills%20for%20all%20households%20from%20October%20that%20will%20not%20need%20to%20be%20paid%20back.%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETargeted%20measures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3EMore%20than%20eight%20million%20of%20the%20lowest%20income%20households%20will%20receive%20a%20%C2%A3650%20one-off%20payment.%20It%20will%20apply%20to%20households%20on%20Universal%20Credit%2C%20Tax%20Credits%2C%20Pension%20Credit%20and%20legacy%20benefits.%3Cbr%3ESeparate%20one-off%20payments%20of%20%C2%A3300%20will%20go%20to%20pensioners%20and%20%C2%A3150%20for%20those%20receiving%20disability%20benefits.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results

5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)

5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash

6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar

Our legal consultants

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

A%20Little%20to%20the%20Left
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Company%20profile
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West Asia Premiership

Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles

Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain

Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins

Updated: August 25, 2022, 6:56 AM