Let's face it, Ai is here, and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. And those that know me personally know that I typically move very slowly with technology. But as an artist, and one who is very active on social media, I hear people saying different things about Ai and how it is affecting them and their respective businesses and artistry. And the cries of concern are noticeable and understandable. So, as one who, because of his snail-paced approach to technology, might be the least bit qualified to speak on this subject, the "prompts" might hit you differently BECAUSE of the position I'm coming from. 

So... with Ai advancing, what should you do as an artist? I say, sit around, bitch and complain, because that always makes things better, right? Lol. Clearly, I'm kidding. But as a new (as in resurrected) artist, I do allow for my freshness back in the arts to help bring a raw perspective and encouragement to other artists, using every bit of what I gained while I was away from the culture. 

Here is my take on what I think a healthy engagement with Ai looks like:

1. Prioritize You and Your Art. If you want to let Ai do everything, and you can handle the backlash of doing so, then do it. Because, while unrestricted usage of Ai is embraced by some, it is highly frowned upon by others. So you have to choose your battles, understanding the cruel world you live in. I personally don't want to leave the enjoyment of doing certain things organically. But technology is always celebrated by some and yet hated by others--- in different ways and at different levels, respectively. 

2. Gauge Your Own Involvement. What others may see as a threat and competition for their business, music, and artistry, may be a necessary tool for someone else's productivity. So you can only control and monitor your own personal involvement.

3. Keep Assessing Your Participation. Like anything, overindulgence is real. And what starts out as beneficial and moderate participation can quickly become obsession. Again, this is very personal to the individual. But taking the time to assess yourself periodically to see if your involvement is providing you with the results that YOU want can be helpful to your business and artistry's overall success. 

4. Don't Be Afraid To Push Forward or Pull Back. Along with assessing your enjoyment, productivity, and success/results, you have to know what to do with these assessments. Do you pull back, get more involved, or keep the pace you've established? Either way, do not be afraid to shift. 

I have to be honest; I had to approach Ai in small doses. Lol. I, in fact, have a couple of people that I look to for Ai involvement and strategy. A buddy of mine has been very instrumental in simply introducing me to different things. He and I don't live in the same city, so whenever I visit, it's like he shows me something different each time. I sit with it, try it out, and then make my decision to push forward or leave it alone for the moment. There are also a couple of young ladies that I follow on social media who are also heavily involved with using Ai to build and improve businesses for themselves and others. 

As an emcee, producer, engineer, and graphics artist myself, I'm involved with every aspect of my record. And while there are certain things that are helpful to all of these, I REFUSE to go to Ai for lyrics. As a producer, I can appreciate websites and apps that provide royalty-free samples, but I have yet to even engage that, because I like the joy of finding my own samples. Each rapper/emcee is different, and producers/beatmakers have their own reasons for how and why they adopt the methods they do.

It seems like Ai and other forms of technology are advancing so rapidly, there has to be a way to gauge and limit its influence. There is--- and it's YOU! 

See, you can allow for technology to run your whole life so that a device will "core your apple," chop it up, feed it to you, even grind it up so fine that it's made into applesauce so that you don't have to chew it. And where technology is going, this is becoming a reality. In music, you can allow for technology to run everything so you can be in with what's trendy, or you can let your soul take the reins and take the time to enjoy as much of the process that you like. See, the one thing that Ai CANNOT REPLACE, though it may try (and they WILL try) is the soul. Ai cannot replicate the deep-rooted pain and overcoming thereof from a Mary J. or Fantasia. It cannot replace the authentic and yet understandable crack in Michael Jackson's voice at the end of "She's Out of My Life." Imagine Ai trying to imitate some of the vocal antics of ODB. See, there are so many things about the human experience and human interaction that cannot be duplicated or imitated. I think about some of the things that have happened on my own recordings that were "mistakes" initially, but were kept in the recording that adds depth and character to the records. Ai absolutely CANNOT reproduce the soul experience.

It's the same thing with food. Even if the measurements of the ingredients matches what grandmama uses, and the food comes out the exact same, technology cannot replace the experience of you walking through the kitchen, dipping your fingers in the pot, and sneaking a taste before G-ma smacks you on the shoulder with a pot holder and tells you to get out of her kitchen... and go outside until she calls you for dinner. (See, you were able to picture/ remember that, huh?) See, Ai works to create the results of something. It falls WAY short of being able to create the organic and soulful experience of something.

So, good relationships, good music, good friends, and good times enjoyed over good food will never be replaceable IF you have a soul. Let your soul and the enjoyment of it be how you use and handle Ai.