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diff --git a/memos/WM-091.txt b/memos/WM-091.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8b89f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/memos/WM-091.txt @@ -0,0 +1,127 @@ + + + + + + + +Document: WM-091 P. Webb +Category: Life 2026-05-22 + + Rap Slop + +Abstract + + Stop wasting people's time + +Body + + We are inundated with information. + + Every notification we get on our phones, our computers, our devices + are of differing levels of importance and we don’t know which until + we check. Half the news delivered to us is lies; either by omission + or straight up. The explosion of LLM usage (slop) across recreational + and professional realms take a cognitive toll, even if you’ve gained + the skill to quickly detect and dismiss. Again, you have to check to + see if your time will be wasted (it will). + + It comes as no surprise then that Drake’s latest album drops, rumored + by his enthusiastic fanbase to be “throwaways” to get out of his + label contract with Universal Music Group, have been received poorly + by the majority of said fanbase. He released **three albums** + simultaneously, that’s nearly three hours of music across 43 tracks + with objectively mid lyrics and unfocused beats. It’s the same energy + as a coworker using an LLM to write emails or a tech bro using an LLM + to write a blog post about their latest product; time you will never + get back. A finite and precious resource, ripped from you because + that coworker, that tech bro, that rapper views your time amongst the + living as worthless. + + An online friend recently penned an essay on Substack about how the + aftermath of the Drake/Kendrick beef has made it difficult for him + and others to publicly show support for or even enjoyment of Drake’s + music. I understand his stance to a degree because it’s uncomfortable + when the world is staunchly against something or someone you support. + For example, I think Will Smith was justified in slapping Chris Rock + at the Oscars. The _timing_ and the _choice of venue_ to do so wasn’t + the best but I understood Will’s reasoning behind it; I’d do the same + in his shoes (why has my wife been the butt of your jokes for the + past 20 years...move the fuck on bro)! The Substack essay failed to + change my mind because it left out choice context. + + Mind you, I was a Drake enjoyer before his rap battle with Kendrick. + I loved his songs “Hotline Bling” and “God’s Plan.” The objectively + weird shit that came out during the battle soured my slowly declining + opinion on him (like with Chris Rock, Drake’s obsession with Rihanna + and constant subliminal jabs toward her has always been wack as fuck + to me...dude is famous and rich, find someone else!!); creepy + behavior with teens (children), having sex with your mentor’s + girlfriend while he in prison (bitch-ass sucka shit, to me), nah bro. + + That ain’t it. + + Despite all that, I assumed Drake would bounce back with certified + BANGERS and objectively, he’s lost it. 40 (his best friend and + producer) told him to “dig deep” and he did that! On the intro track + of ICEMAN! BARS!! Why didn’t he continue doing that across the + entire album? + + My Substack friend mentioned people not having empathy for + millionaires, and this is true of all -aires. You can see it in the + people gleefully resharing bullshit about Jay-Z, Pharrell, &c. You + know what these rapper millionaires/billionaires don’t do? **Spend** + **two years of hype and millions on marketing to eventually release** + **a 3-pack of ass.** + + These were my initial thoughts[1] on ICEMAN (I listened to it shortly + after midnight EST, after 9pm for us West Coast folks) straight + through and didn’t read reviews until after I shared my own): + + > Listened to Drake’s “ICEMAN” last night and while there was a lot + > more rapping than singing…the tough guy bars don’t land the same. + > The revisionist history he’s attempting is weak. + > + > Claiming he’s never lost sleep over a now two-year old battle is + > patently false when his lawsuit explicitly states such; taking more + > jabs at Kendrick (and Jay-Z for some reason) is contradictory. + > + > But hey, not a bad album for diehard fans! + + SIGH + + The lawsuit. Suing because you lost a rap battle you instigated and + what the other guy said about you hit harder than what you said about + him and your mythos got tarnished. Anyhoo. + + The disrespect to the listener is appalling. The subsequent outrage + is palpable. Proving your opponent’s predictions correct is a + masterclass in missing the point; or willful ignorance? The + mind boggles. + + People say LLMs gonna destroy everything (people actually use the + term “A.I.” but by using it you’re legitimizing the claims that it’s + here...it is not) and I disagree. + + **Corporations** using LLMs to do away with entry-level employees are + destroying the pipeline of new talent into various fields. To be + clear, financial optimization has always been the goal but we gotta + stop blaming the tech as if the tech is doing this by virtue of + existing. Name the CEOs and corpos abusing tech! + + If you believe the numbers, ICEMAN received over 140 million streams + and for an hour-long album, which is the same as 140 million hours. + Let’s assume a quarter of people who listened enjoyed every track. + That’s 105 million people who wished they could get that hour back. + + Insane scale. + + Drake fans revolting against ~~LLM~~ rap slop is a great sign that + curated, intentional creativity always wins. If you’re an LLM + enjoyer, you aren’t excused from reviewing and editing the output. + + Respect your fellow human!! 🕸️ + +References + + [1] <https://social.coop/@netopwibby/116579298826105440> |