From Chopped and Screwed to Reversed and Flipped tracks, Hip-Hop and music in general has been through so many changes and fads. The latest and probably the most addictive craze in Hip-Hop has undoubtedly become the famous Auto-Tune. For those who aren’t aware of it, Auto-Tune is a program and/or proprietary audio processor that uses a phase vocoder to correct the vocal pitch and instrumental performances. In Laymen’s Terms, if you sound a hot mess, Auto-Tune in the program for you! Like Beyonce, this fixes your “Flaws and All.”

Auto-Tune, although a recent craze amongst the Hip-Hop community, has been around for a long time. Long before rappers began using it, many singers had the program added to their voices to drown out any imperfections that they may have had in their voices. Some of the biggest names in music have gotten their hands on Auto-Tune, including Cher, Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Mary J Blige, Next, Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, Teddy Riley, Snoop Dogg, and Roger and Zapp; who are one of the most prominent groups to pave the way with Auto-Tune.

What initially sparked this editorial on Auto-Tune was Jay-Z’s new single “Death of Autotune” where he speaks about how rappers are getting too loose and covering up lackluster lyrics with Auto-Tune’s unique sound. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding this song, including people picking out certain artists and claiming that Jay-Z was referring to them in the song. But does Jay-Z make a valid point? Have rappers started using Auto-Tune as a crutch so that they won’t have to make quality music? I think so. 

Kanye West, who co-produced his 2009 upcoming album entitled “The Blueprint 3” and was quoted saying:

“We actually removed all the songs with Auto-Tune off of his album, to make the point that this is an anti-Auto-Tune album, even though I released an album that has all Auto-Tune!”

So is this a sign of hypocrisy on both West’s and Jay-Z’s behalf? Maybe.  But why such the huge problem with Auto-Tune? I believe that I know the answer to this. Auto-Tune is a beautiful tool to use when making some creative and innovative music, however I think the problem with it nowadays is that everyone is playing it out. They use Auto-Tune on any and everything hoping to make a hit, yet some just hit and miss.

People like Kanye West, Jamie Foxx, and dare I say it T-Pain, have made very successful careers with the program. However I think the difference between Kanye West and T-Pain is that West had a very successful career long before he even dabbled in Auto-Tune. Do you honestly think that T-Pain could have a successful career without the Auto-Tune? Probably not.

My problem is not with Auto-Tune, in fact it’s a great tool that I’ve even used myself on a few tracks. I have a problem with these rappers who have no talent using the program ad nauseum and lacking on the quality music. I wondered if people felt like I did or if there was even a problem with this Auto-Tune in the first place. I put together a number of questions to ask my fellow college-aged peers who have experienced this recent Auto-Tune Dictatorship.

1.    How do you feel about rappers using auto-tune?
2.    Do you think there’s a difference between rappers using it and singers using it?
3.    Do you think performers like T-Pain would be successful without Auto-Tune?
4.    Do you think Kanye West is a hypocrite for telling Jay Z not to use it when he does it himself?
5.    Is Auto-Tune helping or hindering Hip-Hip and why?

I was surprised to find that there were very different opinions about the impact that Auto-Tune is having on Hip-Hop and rappers in general. Has Jay-Z officially defeated the treacherous Auto-Tune monster?  This is what the people had to say:


R. Nelson
University of Cincinnati
Information Technology

“I think auto-tune is a phase. I love auto-tune becasue I grew up on Roger and Zapp. But I think if there is no theme to it (going for a tech vibe) then why use it?…  I do. I mean a singer who uses nothing but auto tune is cheating. Auto tune is to help hit those notes you’re voice can’t get. Rappers arent paid to make their voices do the rest. I mean how would you feel if Luther Vandross jumped on auto tune? Honestly, no. Did you hear him [T- Pain] sing “I Want Her” on the Hip Hop honors? Come on!!! I don’t like Kanye, so I’ll leave that alone. Since R&B and hip hop are so close now, I feel like its giving people with no talent the light.”


E. Nicholson
FAMU (alumni)
Newspaper Journalism

“I don’t think its autotune per se. It’s the fact that people use autotunes for some quick buck scheme ish. Kanye used it but made great songs with great melodies with it (and produced some of the best beats since College Dropout). But people like Jim Jones just threw that ish on his voice on some copy cat ish. I think thats what Jay (and others) are talking about. Like I said before, if you use it as a tool and not a gimmick, I think it can be cool. …Yeah because singers are judged based on holding a note and things like that. But i dont understand why rappers use it when they aren’t singing tho. Just rap! LOL People think T-Pain blew up because he used autotune only. No! Dude knew how to write catchy digestible songs with a bit of self-depreciation. Who would make a song about falling in love with a stripper? But thats why these other dudes cant match his success…they can’t write pop songs! Nope. Jay isnt know for his creativity. Jay is just a beast at being a lyricist. Unlike Andre 3000 or Cee-lo who are crazy lyricists plus people expect whild out ish from them. It’s not autotune. It’s the artists being lazy and not coming with good to great songs.
LOL @DJ Webstar catchin’ feeling..fool who you?”

J. Jones
california institute of the art (calarts)
m.f.a. writing

” i think rappers need to continue experimenting if they ever expect to be considered as innovative as other (black)American music genres, such as jazz or even blues. for that reason, auto-tune was a good thing because it was something that altered the vocalization of the m.c., as opposed to the same old sound and delivery based on the region. with or without auto-tune, lil wayne was doing great use with his voice because it is so distinct. plus, he can rhyme. however, like most things pop, lil wayne (who is somehow pop now) overused the effect and it is hurting his ability to be just as vocally and lyrically innovative as bob dylan. rappers using anything is cool, b/c that’s hip hop. but they should be just as focused on doing something new as they are about getting on the radio….there’s no big difference in rappers or singers using, because both are looking for something to complement their vocality when they use it.but, it’s about what the artist bring to the table when they use it. more recently, jamie foxx did t, played with it, and made a good song with t-pain. but we know jamie is going to make fun songs, and he can sing. kanye used it to capture a mood that expressed the personal heartache of a man-turned-pinnochioish-superstar automoton. he wrote decent songs, and it captured the affect for the most part. but some folk just use it for the radio and it’s not creative enough. excuse my longass responses, but my girl and i have been jokingly plotting to steal autotune from the industry for about 6 months now. so, i’m feeling the discussion. t-pain can write hooks and full songs that are club and radio ready. with the right tracks behind him, and with someone else singing, he still would’ve seen some success. i never thought jay wanted to use it. anyone’s a hypocrite for hating the use of vocal technology today, and not acknowledging the innovative ways it’s been used (e.g., the troutmans of course, teddy riley, and snoop dogg more recently). we wall danced to new jack ish some time in our life. and we all trick on strippers and buy ladies drinks when those songs hit. i think i answered that in number 1 or 2. but going back to no. 4, kanye is just pushing for something new.as an avid jay listener who can’t wait til blueprint 3 on 9/11.. i must say that i hope that song is not on the album. it seemed mixtape freestylish and i know that’s not the type of work he has us waiting on. on a scale of 1 to 5, it’s about a 3, but it’s hella predictable and he actually did seem a little bored with the flow himself.”


G. Daggett
U of Arizona
James Rogers College of Law

“Rappers using AT are looking for a hot gimmick. Period…. Yes, there’s a difference between rappers using AT and their singing counterparts. For ALL rappers, it’s gimmicky. For some singers, it adds flair, for other singers it adds tonal accuracy, for other singers, it’s gimmicky. I’ve never heard T-Pain sing without AT so I’d have to say ‘no’, he probably wouldn’t be successful without it. No, I don’t think ‘Ye’s a hypocrite for admonishing Jay’s usage of AT. Let’s be clear: I don’t condone Mr. West’s usage of it, but the man has finally admitted that he’d rather be a pop artist than a hip hop artist, so I guess his usage of it is more tolerable. Jay is, by all accounts, considered by many to be the G.O.A.T. in his genre and for that reason, should never utilize gimmicks. I mean, he shouldn’t have to, right? He is, after all, the greatest…. right? I don’t believe that AT is helping or hindering the genre. I just think it’s being overused. It’s fitting that Jay would release a song called “The Death of Auto-Tune” considering that he’s single-handedly ended so many other fads. Having said that, I think it’s imperative that people truly assess the song for what it is: solid, but unimpressive.”

G. Christian
Economics minor in Business
FAMU

“I do not think Rappers need to use autotune…just their voice..Rappers using it …are trying to be like singers..in my opinion. Singers can use it..they use all types of things in songs…T-Pain was successful without it…first album. He can do better than that album though without Autotune…No, he was trying to protect JayZ…but JayZ has asked to use it…”Put On” Part 2 with Jeezy and Kanye..he asks for it then backs down on it..Hurting hip hop. It isnt indicative of what the lyricist (i use that term loosely) can do on that beat and in that song. Lyricist and rappers do not need a “tune-up” of their voice..Certain voices give the song that extra knack to become legendary…autotune isnt needed, just wanted cause of the profitability the song could make…. ..For JayZ to speak on Autotune like this i think is somewhat hypocritical, cause he ALLOWED Kanye and other hip hop/singers to use it. If he is gonna talk bout autotune he needs to speak on the weak “rappers” in the ..the game. JayZ should hit on things more important to the game..like what Nas did with “Hip Hop Is Dead”. But obviously JayZ wont do that..he needs money and keep his image up.”

T. Bush
Game Design
IADT

“HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT RAPPERS USING AUTO-TUNE?
i think its a cop out easy way to get radio play
DO YOU THINK THERES A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RAPPERS USING IT AND SINGERS USING IT? no it shows lack of any real talent
DO YOU THINK PERFORMERS LIKE T PAIN WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT AUTO TUNE? no, he would be a joke cuz he has no vocals
DO YOU THINK KANYE WEST IS A HYPOCRITE FOR TELLING JAY Z NOT TO USE IT WHEN HE DOES IT HIMSELF? …
No i thik he just dont think its right for a guy like Jay-z(and he is correct) but its still lame altogether
IS AUTO TUNE HELPING OR HINDERING HIP HOP AND WHY? ( I WANNA KNOW WHY) Its hindering, because it gives rappers a reason not to say anything worthwhile. The autotune is so popular that it dont matter what happens. Ummm i have never been a big Jay-Z fan, so he can do all the lame shit he wants”

G. Mickey
Management Major
Morehouse College

“HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT RAPPERS USING AUTO-TUNE?
I feel as if it an annoyance and hinderance to both me AND the artist. It shortchanges me because i don’t get to feel/hear the full power extent of your gift and it shortchanges you as the artists because you’ll look like a fool trying to perform that shyt live…I WON’T SAY A DAMN NAME(s)
DO YOU THINK THERES A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RAPPERS USING IT AND SINGERS USING IT?
Nope, there isn’t a difference, it has become the musical handicap when one thinks they are that desperate for a hit or know that they can’t carry a song by themselves. The ONLY artist to use it that made me smile becausse she used it like ROGER & ZAPP made it for was on the new Mary track…and she only used it a tad.
DO YOU THINK PERFORMERS LIKE T PAIN WOULD BE SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT AUTO TUNE?
No, but T would still be a hot ass producer. Folks don’t know that he produced for the likes of Britney Spears (on Blackout), so he’s more than good for a fully auto-tuned album.
DO YOU THINK KANYE WEST IS A HYPOCRITE FOR TELLING JAY Z NOT TO USE IT WHEN HE DOES IT HIMSELF?
Kanye is already a hypocrite for so many other things that he has done in his career. I feel like his career is built on hypocrisy nowadays….
IS AUTO TUNE HELPING OR HINDERING HIP HOP AND WHY? ( I WANNA KNOW WHY)
Auto-Tune is a hinderence to all genre’s because it’s masking those with true talent from shining and allowing those will no talent to rule the charts with mindless bullshit. If only Roger & Zapp could see this…I don’t like Jay-Z, so whatever. Will the craze end because he says it? Prob not. I love how folks are saying that now that it was stated by Terrance on 106 the other day. F*ck Jay-Z. Can I write a song telling him to stop dressing like he’s still 20? Will THAT make HIM stop a tiring trend that never existed? In other news…I’d like for there to be a return to just old skool singing and loving. Same for rap. All this hokey pokey and do a dance shit is NOT hip hop I almost died when I saw a paper saying “How Soulja Boy saved Hip-Hop!” Exactly why I don’t listen to rap nowadays…”