The rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has spurred creativity, exemplified by Will Hatcher’s ‘BBL Drizzy’, which transformed into a viral diss track instrumental by Metro Boomin, showcasing the intersection of humour and AI in music.
During the recent intensification of the Kendrick Lamar–Drake feud earlier this year, the internet was ablaze with diss tracks and viral social media posts as fans and fellow artists eagerly weighed in on the rivalry. Amidst this flurry of creative responses, comedian and digital content creator Will Hatcher, known by his alias King Willonius, carved his own niche. Hatcher’s creation, “BBL Drizzy,” originating as a humorous riff on a meme and a Rick Ross joke about Drake allegedly undergoing a Brazilian butt lift, unexpectedly gained a groundbreaking dimension when legendary hip-hop producer Metro Boomin adapted it into a diss track instrumental.
The adaptation of “BBL Drizzy” marked a pivotal moment in music production, as Metro Boomin’s track became recognised for being the first major hit to incorporate an AI-generated sample. The instrumental provided a platform for aspiring artists to showcase their lyrical skills, with Metro Boomin himself encouraging fans to rap over the beat with the incentive of a $10,000 prize and a free beat for the best entry — a challenge that propelled the track into viral status.
Hatcher, whose original track was released in April, saw his comedic creation take off as Ross’ jesting post on X, formerly known as Twitter, gained traction. The meme-inspired nature of “BBL Drizzy” initially found its audience in the frenetic world of social media, but its resonance lingered, ultimately capturing the interest of Metro Boomin who helped propel it to new heights.
In discussing the creation and legacy of “BBL Drizzy,” Hatcher was transparent about his use of AI, noting that while the music and vocals were generated by AI, the lyrics were his own. In an interview with Billboard, Hatcher highlighted the distinctive quality of his lyrics, citing lines like “I’m thicker than a Snicker and I got the best BBL in history” as unmistakably human-crafted.
This fusion of AI technology and human creativity is emblematic of the rapidly evolving landscape in music production. Recent developments have further expanded the capabilities of AI in the music industry. For instance, last week saw the launch of Google’s MusicFX DJ, a tool allowing users to generate music in real-time with simple text inputs. Furthermore, well-known music producer Timbaland’s collaboration with Suno, an AI music generator, underscored the burgeoning potential of AI-assisted music creation. Timbaland, now a strategic adviser for Suno, announced a competition offering $100,000 for the best AI-assisted remix of his latest track “Love Again,” which is set to conclude early next month.
Despite such progress, the proliferation of AI technology in music hasn’t been without controversy. Earlier this year, Suno, along with Udio — the platform Hatcher used for “BBL Drizzy” — faced a lawsuit from a coalition of music labels. These labels alleged that the platforms engaged in copyright infringement by training their AI tools on existing works of artists. The companies have argued that their practices fall under fair use, igniting a larger debate over the ethical and legal implications of AI in music creation.
As “BBL Drizzy” continues to be celebrated as a pioneering example of AI’s potential in music production, Hatcher remains an enthusiastic proponent of these tools. His experience demonstrates not only the creative possibilities unlocked by AI but also the changing dynamics of the music industry, as creators explore this new frontier to craft hit tracks that captivate audiences worldwide.
Source: Noah Wire Services
