South African DJ and producer Prince Kaybee has sparked renewed debate around artificial intelligence in music after sharing a strongly worded opinion on social media, pushing back against claims that AI music tools are no different from traditional digital audio workstations (DAWs) like FL Studio.
Known for his chart-topping hits and hands-on production style, Prince Kaybee made it clear that while he acknowledges the arrival of a new technological era, he believes the comparison between AI music generators and real music production tools is fundamentally flawed.
“AI Is Not the Same as FL Studio”
In his post, Prince Kaybee stated that equating AI music tools to FL Studio or any other DAW is “an absurd dishonest comparison.” He explained that DAWs require deep musical knowledge and manual input from the creator, unlike AI systems that automate much of the creative process.
According to the producer, working in FL Studio involves composing and programming chords, identifying musical keys, recording vocalists, mixing vocals, building drum patterns, and arranging songs across verses, choruses, bridges, and outros — all done manually.
“This requires music knowledge,”
he emphasized, highlighting the technical and creative discipline involved in producing music from scratch.
Calling Out Non-Musicians in the AI Debate
Prince Kaybee also addressed what he sees as a growing issue in the conversation around AI in music: the dominance of opinions from people who are not musicians.
He pointed out the irony that musicians are often told to “stick to music” when they share opinions on topics like politics or sports, yet non-musicians freely dominate discussions about music and its future.
“This music AI thing has so many people talking about it that are not musicians,”
he wrote, adding that those individuals should apply the same standards they expect from artists.
A Nuanced Take on the Future of AI
Despite his criticism, Prince Kaybee did not completely dismiss AI’s place in music. He acknowledged that AI is part of a new era and admitted that he may use it himself in the future. However, his stance makes it clear that he believes AI should not be framed as equivalent to the lived skill, training, and creative decision-making that define musicianship.
Sparking an Ongoing Industry Conversation
Prince Kaybee’s comments have resonated widely, reigniting conversations about creativity, authorship, and the value of human skill in an age of automation. As AI tools continue to evolve and enter mainstream music production, his perspective reflects a broader concern shared by many professional musicians navigating the balance between innovation and artistic integrity.
