Swizz Beatz is standing by longtime collaborator Timbaland, who has faced mounting criticism for his latest foray into artificial intelligence and its role in music production.
Timbaland, a pioneer in hip-hop and R&B, is developing an AI-powered record label and recently unveiled plans to sign an AI artist—a move that has sparked heated debate in the music industry.
During a recent live stream featuring Young Guru, 19Keys, and Timbaland himself, Swizz Beatz praised the producer for entering the AI space, even as backlash from artists and fans continues to grow.
“I’m happy that Tim is into AI,” said Swizz. “All the white people are in it—why can’t we be in it too? I don’t care how. It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.”
He added that while he wasn’t consulted about the rollout, he still respects Timbaland’s decision as an entrepreneur.
“When I saw it, people hit me up like, ‘God damn.’ I hadn’t spoken to Tim about this. I would’ve suggested a few different approaches. But I respect you as your own boss. We just need to communicate more—our people are delicate. They act like they know, but they really don’t.”
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But not everyone was amused. Critics, including industry veterans, raised serious concerns.
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British DJ and producer Shy FX called out Timbaland directly in the comments section of the post:
“You call it trolling, but the moves you are making are not jokes,” he wrote. “They are choices—and they come at the cost of real artists who are already fighting to be seen and heard.”
He continued, referencing a prior controversy where Timbaland attempted to create a track using an AI-generated version of The Notorious B.I.G.’s voice:
“You showed your colors when you tried to make a song using Biggie’s AI voice. You made it clearer by partnering with Suno, whose founder openly wants to replace musicians—not support them.”
“This isn’t innovation. It’s exploitation.”
A Divide in the Culture
Swizz Beatz’s support signals a divide among Black creatives about AI’s role in music. While he views it as a powerful tool for ownership and entry into a space largely dominated by tech giants, others see it as a threat to the authenticity, emotion, and human touch that define music—especially in genres like hip-hop and R&B.
As the conversation around AI in music evolves, Timbaland’s bold moves are forcing the industry to reckon with what’s next—and who gets left behind.
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