Meek Mill Praises AI As A Learning Tool And Sparks Backlash

BY Erika Marie
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May 5, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Musical recording artist Meek Mill (R) and Questlove (L) look on before action between the
May 5, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Musical recording artist Meek Mill (R) and Questlove (L) look on before action between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics in game three of the second round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Meek Mill said AI explains things better than people, prompting backlash amid ongoing concerns about copyright and environmental impact.

A glowing endorsement of artificial intelligence has put Meek Mill in the middle of a debate that reaches well beyond whatever he has been asking a chatbot.

“Nothing teaches me better than ai..... I learnt things that I've been asking people for years in a simple way!” the Philadelphia rapper wrote on X. The post drew pushback as enthusiasm for generative AI continues to clash with concerns about the materials companies use to train their models and the resources required to keep them running.

Meek has been considerably more receptive to AI than many of his peers. He previously described using the technology to translate complicated contract language into terms he could understand before consulting his legal representatives. Complex reports he has also discussed pairing AI and other technology with his business ambitions, making Monday’s tweet consistent with how he has talked about the tools rather than a sudden endorsement.

Read More: Dr. Dre Gets Torn Apart For Using & Defending AI In Music

The Debate Over AI Use In The Industry & Beyond

It's also important to distinguish that Meek did not say he was using AI to make music. Still, musicians are having the argument in an industry where generative AI has become increasingly entangled in copyright disputes. Sony Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music sued Anthropic, accusing the company behind Claude of unlawfully using copyrighted songs to train its models. Anthropic has denied wrongdoing. AI music companies have faced their own battles over training data, while artists and musicians have challenged deals that could allow their recordings or performances to be used to train generative systems.

The resistance is no longer confined to lawsuits. Australia’s ARIA Charts moved last week to exclude fully AI-generated music after controversy surrounding an AI-created cover of Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” The organization said eligible recordings must be substantially made by humans, another attempt by the established music business to draw a line around where generative technology belongs.

Read More: Is AI Killing Creativity In Hip-Hop?

Environmental concerns have added another layer to the backlash. AI systems rely on data centers with considerable electricity and freshwater demands, including water used for cooling infrastructure and indirectly through power generation. A 2026 review published in Water Research estimated that AI’s global water footprint could reach between 4.2 billion and 6.6 billion cubic meters by 2027, although the impact varies substantially.

Check out Meek's tweet below and out our HNHH Live conversation about AI above.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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