Ghanaian rapper M.anifest has sharply criticized musicians who use AI prompts to generate entire songs, calling the practice a threat to human creativity. Speaking on Woezor TV on July 29, 2026, he argued that music loses its artistic value when there is no meaningful human contribution, and he urged streaming platforms to label such content clearly.
AI as a tool, not a replacement
M.anifest made a clear distinction between using AI to support technical production tasks and relying on it to write complete songs from a prompt. "I'm not trying to downplay it. It's good for a lot of things, maybe for your show and similar uses. But I'm against it when it comes to the creative side. Use AI for things like production. But making songs with prompts? That's terrible. You should be ashamed of yourself," he said.
He stressed that he is not anti-technology. "Making songs with prompts, you should be ashamed of yourself. You can use technology to help you make music. I'm all for it. I'm pro-technology. But if you're making music solely with prompts, shame on you," he added. The rapper said he has already noticed musicians in Ghana adopting AI-generated songwriting, a trend he finds disappointing.
Call for transparency on streaming platforms
M.anifest wants digital streaming services to introduce a Parental Advisory-style label for AI-generated music. He argued that listeners deserve to know when a track has been created primarily by artificial intelligence. "I think there should be freedom of choice. If you like AI music, that's fine. But it should be identified as such. When I was younger, music with explicit lyrics carried a 'Parental Advisory' label. In the same way, they should tell us if it's an AI artiste. Then you have the option to decide if you like it or not," he said.
He went further, suggesting that streaming platforms should offer a filter that lets users block AI-generated music from recommendations and playlists entirely. "Me personally, I would like to ban AI artists from my DSP. There should be a button where, if you don't want to hear AI-generated music, it doesn't appear. Those who want to hear it can. I have no interest in listening to AI-generated music," he said.
The role of human artistry
For M.anifest, the core issue is whether a song can be called art without human involvement. "Where's the human involvement? Without human involvement, is it art? It's just artificial," he said. He maintains that AI has a legitimate place in creative workflows - for example, in colour grading for film or in production tools - but insists that the imagination and originality of the artist must remain central.
The debate over AI's role in creative work is not limited to music; as more professionals explore AI for Creatives, the line between assistance and automation becomes critical. For those who want to integrate AI responsibly, resources like the AI Learning Path for Vocal Artists & Songwriters offer guidance on how technology can enhance, not replace, the creative process.
Why this matters for Creatives
M.anifest's position highlights a growing demand for clarity about how AI is used in final creative work. For designers, writers, musicians, and other professionals, the distinction between using AI as a technical assistant and letting it create the core output can affect how work is valued, credited, and consumed. The call for labels and filters on streaming platforms points to a future where audiences - and clients - may expect similar transparency across all creative industries.
Your membership also unlocks:
