SZA Slams Musicians Using AI, Accuses Diplo of Training on Black Creators

SZA criticized musicians using AI music generators like Suno, alleging that producer Diplo had equity in the company and sought to train it on "the best and brightest black minds of writers and producers." In Instagram posts on her private account, she noted that Black people make up 13% of the American population yet influence global sound, adding "I AINT HEARD A WHITE AI SONG YET." She urged creators not to give away their "vibranium" or train AI with their genius. On her main account, she claimed 238 of her songs were used to train AI models. Diplo has spoken positively about Suno and said artists must "adapt or just give up." Suno's chief product officer Jack Brody stated that training metadata does not include artists' names and that the company is improving impersonation detection. Sony Music, which owns SZA's label RCA Records, is litigating against Suno and Udio, while Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group have settled. Diplo invested in AI research startup Aaru and said he can now get the best voice from AI. Suno CEO Mikey Shulman noted that some top artists contributed to the company's $400 million investment round but declined to name them.