Fenix Flexin denies AI use as “RUBBERZ” sparks online debate

In short: Fenix Flexin’s new single “RUBBERZ” is not confirmed to be AI-made, and he has repeatedly said he did not use AI, but many listeners still argue about it online.

What's going on

Fenix Flexin, known for rap as part of Shoreline Mafia, released “RUBBERZ,” a synth-heavy pop track that sounds like 1980s dance music. Fans and critics have compared it to retro TV and movie soundtracks, like Miami Vice. On the song, he sings with a fake UK accent and uses a polished style that is very different from his usual voice.

Even before the full song came out, short preview clips spread online and sparked claims that it sounded “AI-generated.” AI-generated means made by a computer system that can copy styles and voices, like a music “autopilot” that follows patterns. Some listeners pointed to the heavy vocal effects, the accent, and lyrics they felt sounded machine-written.

After the track and clips went viral, Fenix publicly denied using AI. In social media comments, he said the song was recorded like his other music and that the main differences were auto-tune and reverb (audio effects that smooth and echo a voice) and his fake accent. A widely shared On The Radar performance also added to the debate, because some viewers thought it looked partly lip-synced.

Some third-party commentators have tried to test the song using AI-detection tools, which claim to estimate whether audio was made by AI. These tests are not proof, and the producer credited on the track, Purps on the Beat, has not publicly addressed the allegations.

What to watch

This story shows how quickly AI suspicion can follow a big change in an artist’s sound. If Fenix performs the song fully live without a backing track, it could settle some doubts, but online arguments may continue.

Source: NYTimes