Rapper Tyga's album $TARFACE failed to chart on the Billboard 200 and sold roughly 2,000 units in its first week, HotNewHipHop reported on August 13, citing Kurrco. The album, built around a new alter ego and an 80s aesthetic, had already been critically panned, with Pitchfork giving it a 0 out of 10, its first score that low in 19 years.
The backlash follows an escalating month for the record: HotNewHipHop first reported accusations that Tyga used artificial intelligence on the project on August 2, then his own admission on August 6, before Pitchfork's 0/10 review landed on August 12 and the chart failure the day after. Singer Doja Cat also criticized the album publicly online, part of what the outlet calls a wider referendum on AI in a genre where its use remains contentious; rapper Fenix Flexin has separately caught criticism for his own AI-assisted song "RUBBERZ."
HotNewHipHop frames the commercial and critical failure as a sign that fans see through the 80s nostalgia styling as a cynical play rather than a genuine creative direction, adding that artists looking to take AI shortcuts should expect to pay a price in either chart numbers or reputation.
MusicSuey separately covered Tyga saying AI helped make parts of the production on the album. $TARFACE sits within hip-hop on MusicSuey.
The facts
- The album is called $TARFACE
- It sold roughly 2,000 units in its first week
- It did not chart on the Billboard 200
- Pitchfork gave it a 0 out of 10, its first score that low in 19 years
- Tyga has said he used AI to help make the album
- Rapper Fenix Flexin has separately faced criticism for the AI-assisted song RUBBERZ
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