Fenix Flexin Admits AI Use in Billboard Hot 100 Hit 'Rubberz'

Los Angeles rapper Fenix Flexin has admitted to using artificial intelligence to create his synth-pop hit "Rubberz," marking a pivotal moment in the intersection of generative technology and the music charts. The admission follows months of denial regarding the track's origins.

"Rubberz" climbed to #58 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first AI-generated song to reach the prestigious chart. The track was created using Treblo, an AI tool previously known as Sonauto AI. The truth emerged after Treblo released a specialized AI music classifier that flagged the song as "Very likely Treblo," boasting a false positive rate of less than 1 in 10,000. Further evidence was provided by producer Medasin, who uncovered a pre-release snippet of the song with "Sonauto" in the filename. Medasin also demonstrated how AI-generated tracks can be split into stems to create fake Pro Tools sessions, a tactic used to mimic traditional human recording processes.

A Shift in Narrative

Fenix Flexin, a member of the group Shoreline Mafia, initially fought the accusations. He claimed that the British accent featured on the track was his own and shared isolated stems from a recording session to convince critics the song was human-made. However, as technical evidence mounted, the rapper shifted his stance. "Never said I didn’t use AI, I said it had nun to do with [the] recording process," Flexin stated, attempting to distance the AI's role from the final performance.

Industry Implications

This milestone has ignited a fierce debate over chart eligibility and the definition of artistry. The success of "Rubberz" has prompted major record labels to propose a new regulatory framework. Under these proposed rules, AI-generated tracks would be forbidden from charting unless they are deemed "substantially human made" and utilize authorized AI services. The industry is now grappling with how to balance technological disruption with traditional standards of human creativity.

The Future of AI Music

While the controversy has clouded the song's legacy, some in the tech space see it as a proof of concept for the medium's potential. Ryan Tremblay, co-founder of Treblo, noted that someone used their model to find a sound that millions of people connected with, describing the result as "exciting."

As the industry moves toward stricter guidelines, the case of "Rubberz" serves as a primary exhibit in the ongoing struggle to determine who—or what—deserves a place on the global charts. Whether the Billboard Hot 100 will eventually embrace AI as a legitimate tool or wall it off remains to be seen.