Photo: Getty Images
Kehlani understands that the music industry is shifting, but that doesn't mean they have to embrace every aspect of A.I.
The "Folded" singer recently sat down with Real 92.3's The Cruz Show to talk about everything from their upcoming album to their creative process. During their conversation, Cruz mentioned how artists like Eric Bellinger and Timbaland have signed A.I. artists. Kehlani is all for creatives having access to beneficial tools, but they're also a proud purist when it comes to the arts.
"I think it's one of those things where the argument is that life is changing regardless, and culture is shifting," Kehlani said.
"Technology is always going to advance, but I just believe in purity to the arts. I'm not ever going to apologize for being a purist in arts to a certain extent," she continued. "I'm all for people having proper tools. I'm all for people having opportunity where there wasn't opportunity, but it is erasing everything people put into that."
Kehlani makes the case for mixers, engineers, producers and instrumentalists who actually make the music fans know and love. She even shouts out the people who shoot photos and create covers for albums, which are quickly being replaced by A.I. programs.
The California singer has been an avid opponent against A.I. They recently spoke out against trending A.I. artist Xania Monet, whose song “How Was I Supposed to Know” recently reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard's R&B Digital Song Sales, No. 3 on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales, and No. 22 on overall Digital Song Sales. Kehlani hopped on social media in September and put the artist, who's operated by Telisha Jones, on blast.
“I think you guys think that AI can just be the cover for something," they said. "Which some people can use, they can make an AI cover. AI can also make the entire f**king song. It can sing the entire song. It can make the entire beat…This is so beyond out of our control. Nothing and no one on Earth will ever be able to justify AI to me, especially not AI in the creative arts... I'm sorry I don't respect it."
Watch Kehlani's entire interview below.