AI Rapper sparks “digital blackface” backlash

In August, Capitol Music Group signed a digital rapper called FN Meka. The move was quickly criticized as an example of “digital blackface.” The AI-generated music act aimed at racking up views on TikTok featured videos full of gaming signifiers and, in one case, FN Meka being beaten by police in prison. Hip-hop artist Gunna and Fortnite pro Clix also became involved through a collaboration resulting in the single “Florida Boy.”

Whether it was offensive or just cringe (FN Meka was voiced by a Black man), Capitol Music raced to put the Dark Mirror episode behind them. “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,” the company wrote in a statement. “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.”