The AI music application Treblo has publicly announced that it has identified popular songs by rappers Fenix Flexin and Tyga as likely created using its generative AI technology, further intensifying ongoing debates about the role of artificial intelligence in music creation and authenticity.
What Happened
In late July and early August 2026, speculation grew that Fenix Flexin’s hit “Rubberz,” released in June and now sitting at No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 with over 7 million views on its music video, might have been partially or fully generated using AI. Independent music producer Medasin accused Fenix and his labelmate Tyga of using Treblo, a lesser-known AI music app, after uncovering evidence including an Instagram Story filename linked to Treblo’s previous app name, Sonauto. Medasin also demonstrated how similar songs could be produced by entering prompts into Treblo mimicking the style of “Rubberz.”
Responding indirectly, Treblo cofounder Ryan Tremblay confirmed their model was used to create songs that resonated widely, stating the company was only made aware of “Rubberz” after it charted. Treblo subsequently released an AI detection tool on its website designed to identify songs generated by its platform. Running “Rubberz” and tracks from Tyga’s $TARFACE project through the tool returned results indicating the songs were “very likely” or “likely Treblo” creations, respectively.
Fenix Flexin and credited producer Purps on the Beat have denied the use of AI. Fenix posted a project file purportedly showing the song’s original creation, but critics suggested it was manipulated from existing audio, leading to the post’s removal and no further public comment from the artists or their label.
Key Facts
Fenix Flexin, a rapper known for his work with Shoreline Mafia, released “Rubberz” in June 2026. The song marks a departure from his usual style and features an ’80s synth-pop sound. Evidence raised against its authenticity includes a filename linked to Treblo’s former app Sonauto and similarities generated by Treblo itself to “Rubberz” and Tyga’s songs.
Treblo, which rebranded from Sonauto shortly before “Rubberz” debuted, is a generative AI music app that creates songs based on user input prompts related to genre and theme. Its new detection tool claims a false positive rate below 0.01% and uses open-source code to ensure transparency.
The music industry is seeing heightened scrutiny over AI-generated content. For instance, streaming service Tidal recently blocked monetization of AI-generated music, and a bipartisan AI Labeling Act has been proposed in the US Senate to require clear identification of AI-generated content online.
What This Means
The detection of AI usage in charting songs from prominent artists underscores a fast-evolving tension in the music industry between traditional music craftsmanship and the rise of AI-assisted creation. For listeners, the question of whether a song was made by human artists or AI could reshape expectations about artistic authenticity and influence how music is valued, promoted, and monetized.
This controversy also highlights challenges in transparency and disclosure within the rapidly changing technological landscape. While AI tools like Treblo open creative possibilities, skepticism about undisclosed AI involvement could erode trust between fans and artists, potentially provoking backlash or altering fan engagement dynamics.
Moreover, Treblo’s public admission and release of detection tools signal a shift towards accountability in AI-generated content, illustrating how tech companies may play a gatekeeping role in an era where AI blurs the lines of creative ownership.
Background
“Rubberz” gained quick popularity partly due to its unique sound within hip-hop circles, leveraging ’80s synth-pop elements unusual for Fenix Flexin’s catalog. Before Treblo’s emergence, debate about AI’s role in music was speculative, partly fueled by the rise of generative AI platforms capable of producing lyrics and instrumentals.
Medasin’s July 2026 exposé created the first widespread connection between Treblo and popular music releases, previously unnoticed by many due to the app’s relatively low profile compared to giants like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s AudioLM.
What Remains Unclear
The extent of AI’s contribution to “Rubberz” and the Tyga project has not been independently verified beyond Treblo’s detection tool and Medasin’s analysis. Neither Fenix Flexin, Purps on the Beat, nor Tyga’s label have offered detailed explanations addressing the accusations.
It also remains unknown whether these songs were crafted entirely by AI or involved hybrid production incorporating human input alongside machine-generated elements.
What Comes Next
As AI-generated content regulations and detection technologies evolve, further developments in music industry standards for disclosure and monetization of AI-assisted works may emerge. The reception to Treblo’s detection tool might encourage other AI platforms to follow suit, contributing to clearer industry practices regarding AI transparency.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following sources:
Read more Artificial Intelligence stories on Goka World News.