At least part of $TARFACE was created with the help of AI. Tyga has confirmed that the AI music platform Suno played a role in producing his ’80s-inspired album, putting an end to weeks of speculation over whether its polished synth-pop sound was crafted entirely through traditional studio sessions.
Speaking with VIBE, the rapper explained that the technology was used to generate certain musical elements, including vintage-style synthesizers and a guitar solo. He emphasized, however, that he personally wrote the songs and recorded all of the vocals.
“We definitely used AI as a tool,” Tyga said. “And I know people are going to be mad about me saying this, but it’s where technology is going.”
Instead of defending or apologizing for the choice, Tyga compared the backlash against AI-generated music to the criticism Auto-Tune faced when it first became popular in the 2000s. He argued that AI doesn’t replace the artist when it’s simply being used to bring an existing creative vision to life.
“As far as the writing, all the vocals are all me,” he added. “There’s nothing wrong with using technology as a tool.”
That explanation is unlikely to win over everyone. Unlike Auto-Tune, which enhances a performance recorded by a human singer, Suno is capable of generating entire instrumental sections from a text prompt. Tyga’s comments confirm that some of the sounds featured on $TARFACE were created using the AI platform, even though he insists the album wasn’t written or fully generated by the technology.
Questions surrounding the project grew louder after Tyga introduced his ’80s pop and synth-wave-inspired alter ego. Producer Medasin publicly claimed that music tied to the rollout showed signs of generative AI, pulling Tyga into a broader debate alongside Fenix Flexin. Fenix, however, has continued to deny using AI on his viral single.
Notably, Tyga did not mention AI during the album’s initial promotional campaign. While discussing $TARFACE with PEOPLE, he highlighted the use of vintage recording gear, including classic harmonizers and other equipment commonly associated with 1980s music production. According to Tyga, the objective was to make the album sound as though it was truly created in 1983, rather than simply giving modern rap an ’80s-inspired aesthetic.
It has since become clear that the creative process blended both old-school studio equipment and AI-powered software. Tyga has yet to reveal which songs feature AI-assisted production or how extensively Suno was used throughout the finished album.
