AI Floods Leaked Song Market: Frank Ocean, Drake, Travis Scott

Kai Cenat is pure comedy and his latest stream with Nicki Minaj was no exception. “I think it’s because I’m Caribbean I just know how to whine inna di p*ssy,” Kai says in the clip below trying to prove to Nicki that he’s a Super Freaky Guy. For more wholesome content, check out the new Rap Index featuring curated songs from last week’s releases. In other news today:

• Song streams & revenue 📈 

• Drake, Travis Scott & Metro Boomin song leaks 🥷 

• AI-generated scam disguised as Frank Ocean leaks 🤖 

• Tory Lanez denied new trial in Meg Thee Stallion case ❌ 

• The Rap Index w/ artist Q&A 🎵 

• Industry Insights

Song Streams & Revenue

It’s a new Thursday and a new song revenue chart. As reported by Hits Double Daily, which tracks streaming revenue week over week, the above chart is a compilation of the 3-week streaming period from April 14th to May 4th. Giving you more insight into how streaming revenue stacks up over time 💰️ 

Toosii’s “Favorite Song” shows no signs of slowing down and is the 2nd most profitable song, after Drake, beating out both of Ice Spice’s chart-topping hits.

The chart reflects the cumulative 3-week revenue for “Princess Diana” since its release and it’s only right to pocket-watch Drake for comparison. “Search & Rescue” was released on April 7th and made $328K from over 68 million streams in the following 3 weeks ending on April 27th.

Drake, Travis Scott & Metro Boomin Leaks Flood the Internet

It’s raining leaks in this week’s forecast as Drake, Travis Scott, and Metro Boomin fell victim to hackers that released a handful of their vaulted songs on Reddit and social media. The tracks appear to be real and not AI-generated—although who knows these days?

The leaks will likely be removed soon but are available below (for now)

• “Heat” by Drake (allegedly a reference track for Beyoncé turned into “Heated” from her Renaissance album)

• “Startrax” by Lil Wayne ft. Drake (allegedly for Wayne’s Tha Carter V in 2018 with a Neptunes-produced beat)

• “Bricks” by Partynextdoor ft. Drake (allegedly recorded around 2017)

• “Naked” by Travis Scott ft. Bon Iver (allegedly from 2013 around Owl Pharaoh)

• “Poet Paradise” by Travis Scott (allegedly from 2015 around Rodeo)

• “Gold Blackberry” by Travis Scott (allegedly from the upcoming Utopia)

• “Till Further Notice” by Metro Boomin ft. Travis Scott, 21 Savage, James Blake

Context for those of you out touching grass

Hackers targeting hip-hop artists is nothing new. In December, Young Nudy was hit with a massive leak—172 songs from his vault that were most definitely real and acknowledged by him in a threatening message to his unknown hacker.

Why this matters

As demonstrated by the Frank Ocean scammer in the next section, leaks will become synonymous with AI as hackers realize that creating fake songs for popular artists is working smarter, not harder. Those who aren’t IT proficient can capitalize on the leak market if they can figure out how to use AI properly. If you’re someone who loves discovering unreleased music, I’d suggest finding a new hobby.

“Leaked” Frank Ocean Tracks Turn Out to be AI Scam

On today’s episode of AI Worries, don’t buy your favorite artist’s leaked songs on Discord because it’s probably a scam. Someone who goes by the handle of mourningassasin had the ingenious idea to create high-quality AI-generated Frank Ocean songs and advertise them as “leaked tracks” for sale.

The fan forums and online communities, where the purchasing of leaked tracks is routinely observed, immediately believed the AI songs were the real Frank Ocean deal. Mourningassasin sold these fake songs for as much as $3,000—$4,000 each and made around $13,000 CAD from the entire scam.

Eventually, administrators of the Frank Ocean Discord caught on and realized every track sold was fake (when trying to upload one to SoundCloud, it kept getting removed for copyright infringement).

Context for those of you out touching grass

As one of the most popular and reclusive artists, Frank's recent Coachella controversy raised the stakes for new music. When the livestream of his performance was canceled, some fans were practically suicidal as it was the closest thing they had to new music.

His cryptic statement about not having a new album but not not having one in the future also sent fans into a frenzy looking for clues (that probably don’t exist because the man hates releasing music). All of this upped the demand amongst die-hard Frank fans for leaked music and the scammer profited from it.

Why this matters

If you thought the era of Facetune, BBLs, and people appearing differently online than they do IRL was frustrating—get ready. It will become increasingly difficult to differentiate between AI music and the real thing without an official stamp of approval from the label or artist.

Continuing with the body augmentation metaphor, AI lowers the barriers to entry to create music similar to how editing apps and cosmetic surgery lowered the barriers to look like a Kardashian. What was once exclusive to those with experience, access, connections, and money is going to be available to anyone in their mother’s basement with internet access and a laptop.

Tory Lanez Denied New Trial in Megan Thee Stallion Case

Things are not looking good for Tory Lanez as a judge denied a motion for a new trial. He was convicted of 3 felonies in December for an altercation that ended with a gunshot wound to Megan Thee Stallion’s feet.

A sentencing date hasn’t been set for Lanez’s conviction of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, having a loaded and unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence. At worst, he could face up to 22 years in prison and be deported to his home country of Canada.

Judge David Herriford, who presided over the original trial, denied the motion citing that the exclusion of evidence, disputed by Lanez’s legal team, would not have made a difference in the original trial. As he was led back to jail, Lanez reportedly pleaded with the judge by saying, “I could be your son. I could be your brother.”

Context for those of you out touching grass

Lanez’s current lawyers did not represent him during the original trial and assert that the lawyer who did, George Mgdesyan, made mistakes because he had so little time to prepare when the previous lawyer dropped out. This means Lanez is on lawyer #3.

Why this matters

Without commenting on the “he said, she said” nature of the case (you can review the full story from accusation to verdict here) the justice system seems unfairly inconsistent. XXXTentacion’s killers were recently sentenced to life in prison, meanwhile, a defendant who pleaded guilty to Pop Smoke’s murder only received 4 years and Lanez is facing 22 years for felonies that don’t involve murder. There are legal nuances to each case but the severity of Lanez’s sentencing could end his career.

The Rap Index ft. Gucci Mane, IDK, Brent Faiyaz & More

The Rap Index is a way to follow and discover new music. Divided into 4 categories, describing subgenres of rap, songs are placed according to their style and sound—giving you a better idea of what songs will appeal to your musical taste. Only releases from the previous New Music Friday are included to help keep you up to date.

1. “2 Charming” by Skiifall (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

2. “Fell In Love” by Brent Faiyaz & Marshmello (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

3. “Eternals” by Smiley (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

4. “Pissy” by Gucci Mane ft. Roddy Ricch, Nardo Wick (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

5. “brazy girls” by Destroy Lonely (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

6. “Off The Court” by SleazyWorld Go ft. Polo G, Einer Bankz (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

7. “All U Needed” by Highway ft. Ty Dolla $ign (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

8. “Elmina” by IDK & Tay Iwar (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

Beyond The Lyrics

Occasionally, The Rap Index will include a Q&A with emerging artists giving more context and meaning to their featured songs.

Skiifall

“Undawull” (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

RapTV: What’s the meaning of the title and why did you choose it for the opening song? 

Skiifall: The title "Undawull" is my interpretation of the word underworld. It simply means that I am trying to find clarity in a very confusing world. It allows people to warm up to the project.

“2 Charming” (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

RapTV: You can hear elements of reggae, soca, R&B, and drill in this song. What inspired you during the creation?

Skiifall: At the time I made this record, there was a woman in my life that inspired me. Going into the studio I wanted to make my own version of what I thought a love song should feel like. I think ultimately what I made reflected the love songs I grew up hearing as a kid.

Smiley

“Eternals” (Listen on Spotify & Apple Music)

RapTV: There’s a great synergy between your flow and the beat, did the lyrics or production come first?

Smiley: I got the beat first then the lyrics were easy after kinda just flowed. My first bar was “I’m in habibiz with a freaky” shout-out to habibiz* you know yamashisha boys lol. It’s a fun record so the vibe inspired me more than the first lyric did.

*Habibiz is a shisha cafe favored by Drake and the OVO fam, Yamashisha is their private Hollywood location

• Spotify wipes thousands of AI-generated songs, targeting tracks from AI music startup Boomy. Following complaints of fraud and suspicious streaming activity related to Boomy tracks.

• The name of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s son is finally revealed. Named RZA Athelston Mayers after the legendary Wu-Tang Clan frontman.

• Gunna teases comeback following YSL plea deal. He commented “I’m OTW” on a fan page post featuring an unreleased song snippet.

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