Tyga’s Response to 0.0 Pitchfork Score: Devil Uses a Pitchfork

History was made this week when Pitchfork, one of the last bastions of music journalism, delivered a scathing verdict on Tyga’s new album $TARFACE, assigning it a 0.0 score out of 10—their lowest rating in nineteen years.

The controversy surrounding this low score deepened after the rapper admitted to using artificial intelligence (AI) in the production of the record. The situation sparked a fascinating debate about authorship, creativity, and the role of technology in modern music making.

Seeking clarity on the criticism, Tyga took to a video call to address journalist Drew Millard’s review. His response was as much a defense as an explanation, throwing light on where he drew the line between human effort and algorithmic assistance.

“I don’t really know what Pitchfork is,” the rapper humorously admitted. “All I know is that the devil uses a pitchfork.”

When pressed about the AI involvement, Tyga chalked it up to a generational divide, suggesting that the current generation might struggle with processing traditional critical standards: “What I said was this: I used AI-assisted things in the production. All the vocals are me, I wrote all the songs.”

He further clarified the extent of his involvement, explaining that while AI played a role in specific sonic elements like the $80s synths and guitar solos, it did not constitute a full automated album. Tyga emphasized that he spent three months in the studio personally crafting the material.

This distinction highlights the tension at the heart of the modern creative process: where does true artistic originality reside when powerful tools like AI can rapidly generate polished sounds? If an artist is using technology simply as a tool to enhance their vision, rather than replacing their core creativity, the debate shifts from authenticity to innovation.

Ultimately, Tyga’s experience with $TARFACE serves as a compelling reminder that music criticism and artistic creation are constantly evolving. Whether AI assists or supplants the creative process, the human element—the three months of studio time, the songwriting, and the vision—remains central to the story.