Fenix Flexin Concedes AI Use in Hit Track 'Rubberz' After Initial Denials
Following allegations from producer Medasin and AI detection software, Fenix Flexin has admitted to using artificial intelligence in the creation of his Billboard Top 100 hit, clarifying that the technology was not part of the recording process.
Los Angeles rapper Fenix Flexin has admitted to using artificial intelligence in the creation of his Billboard Top 100 hit, 'Rubberz', contradicting earlier public denials. The admission follows allegations by producer Medasin that the AI tool Treblo (formerly Sonauto) was used to generate the track, alongside findings from an AI detector. Flexin clarified on Instagram that while he previously stated there was "no AI on it" in a Hot 97 interview, he meant the AI was not part of the recording process itself. He further claimed he was unaware of the app until the mixing stage. This incident occurs amidst broader industry scrutiny, including recent admissions by rapper Tyga regarding AI use on his album $tarface. Flexin’s team had previously released recording session files to assert the track was produced by humans using Pro Tools, auto-tune, and reverb.
The controversy began after producer Medasin claimed Treblo was used to make 'Rubberz', an 80s synth-pop-themed song. In a previous interview on Hot 97’s Mornings With Mero, Flexin was asked directly by interviewer Kazeem Famuyide about AI use and stated there was "no AI on it". Flexin has also posted clips where he appears to be lip-syncing, insisting he is actually singing. His team previously released clips of recording session files to assert the song was made by two humans using Pro Tools, auto-tune, and reverb in a living room.
Flexin’s stance shifted after an AI detector identified the track as AI-created. Responding to a comparison with Tyga on Instagram, Flexin stated: "never said I didn’t use AI , i said it had nun to do w recording process . I didn’t even know what da app was till we mixed it and erbody started commenting . ain’t nothing wrong w using new technology as a tool keep up w the times or get left behind". This comment attempts to reconcile his previous denial with the new evidence, suggesting a distinction between the creation of the song and the specific recording process.
It remains unclear whether Flexin’s claim that he "didn’t even know what da app was till we mixed it" is accurate, given his previous insistence that no AI was involved in the recording process. The extent of AI involvement is not fully quantified; while Treblo is identified by a detector, the specific contribution of the AI tool versus human production (Pro Tools, auto-tune, reverb) is not detailed in the source material. The admission marks a significant pivot from his initial efforts to dispel AI allegations publicly since the song was released.
The incident highlights the growing intersection of artificial intelligence and music production, as artists navigate transparency regarding their use of generative tools. Flexin’s comparison to Tyga, who recently admitted to relying on AI for his controversial ’80s-influenced album $tarface, suggests a broader industry trend. However, the discrepancy between Flexin’s initial claims of purely human production and his current admission of AI involvement remains a point of contention.
As the music industry continues to grapple with the implications of AI, Flexin’s case serves as a notable example of the challenges in defining and disclosing AI assistance in creative works. The release of session files and the subsequent AI detection findings underscore the increasing complexity of verifying the origins of modern music tracks. Investors and industry stakeholders are watching closely as these technologies reshape production workflows and intellectual property norms.
