stayc main image

Sampling Like a Pro: How to Flip Samples and Avoid Legal Issues

October 6, 2024

Sampling has been a cornerstone of modern music production, allowing producers to reimagine and breathe new life into old tracks. Whether you're producing hip-hop, EDM, or any genre, knowing how to...

Read more
stayc main image

What Makes an EQ or Compressor VST High-Quality: Insights and Examples from Pros

October 6, 2024

When selecting EQ and compressor plugins, musicians and producers look for more than just a shiny interface or brand recognition. It's all about how these tools perform in real-world scenarios...

Read more
stayc main image

Sound Design 101: Crafting Killer Drum Sounds Using Synthesizers

October 6, 2024

Drum sounds form the backbone of many music genres, and while sample packs are popular, designing your own drum sounds from scratch can elevate your production to a whole new level. Crafting custom...

Read more
stayc main image

Mastering Multiband Compression Sidechaining: A Solution to Clashing Frequencies

October 6, 2024

In modern music production, one of the most common challenges is the clash of frequencies between instruments. For example, bass guitars and drum kits often compete for space in the lower end of...

Read more
stayc main image

Studio One Workflow Tips for Faster Music Production

October 1, 2024

Studio One by PreSonus is an incredibly powerful DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) that offers a variety of tools to streamline your music production workflow. However, like many DAWs, getting the...

Read more
stayc main image

Solving the Issue of Buried Crash Cymbals in the Mix

October 1, 2024

Crash cymbals often get buried in the mix, especially when using complex miking techniques like Glyn Johns, which balances close mics with overheads. While re-recording with higher cymbals may be a...

Read more
stayc main image

GarageBand Hacks: Creating Professional-Sounding Tracks Without Expensive Plugins

October 1, 2024

GarageBand is often seen as an entry-level DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it has powerful tools that, when used effectively, can create professional-quality tracks. Many indie musicians and...

Read more
stayc main image

Solving the General MIDI Program Change Dilemma in Ableton

October 1, 2024

When working with MIDI in Ableton, one might notice that although MIDI clips can send program changes, most of Ableton's native plugins don’t seem to respond to these changes effectively. This can...

Read more
stayc main image

Escaping 'Tutorial Hell': Stay Motivated and Actually Progress in Music Production

September 21, 2024

Read more
stayc main image

Should You Write Music or Lyrics First? Solutions from Famous Creators

September 20, 2024

One of the most common challenges for songwriters is deciding whether to write the music or lyrics first. This can feel like a "chicken-or-egg" situation, but there's no one-size-fits-all answer...

Read more
stayc main image

How to Plan the Perfect Release Day for Your Single or Album

September 20, 2024

Releasing a new single or album is a huge milestone for any musician. However, without proper planning, your work may not get the attention it deserves. It’s not just about putting the song online...

Read more
stayc main image

Mastering the Low End: Compression Tips for a Tight Mix

September 20, 2024

When it comes to music production, getting the low end right can be tricky. Many producers face a common issue: after the initial mix sounds perfect, a few days later, the low end starts to feel...

Read more

SZA Calls Out AI and Environmental Racism: "Tech Can’t Ignore Pollution in Our Communities"

stayc main image

In a recent interview, singer-songwriter SZA reportedly linked the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) to broader systemic issues like environmental racism, urging tech companies to address the disproportionate pollution burden on marginalized communities.

She Slams AI’s Environmental Racism: "Black and Brown Cities Are Paying the Price"

SZA isn’t buying into the AI hype—and she’s calling out its devastating environmental cost. In a fiery series of Instagram posts this week, the Grammy-winning singer condemned artificial intelligence programs like ChatGPT and Elon Musk’s Grok for exacerbating pollution in marginalized communities, declaring: “The only AI I’m using is Actual Imagination.”

AI Is Killing Black and Brown Cities

On Tuesday (July 15), SZA called attention to the hidden toll of AI infrastructure, particularly in Memphis, where Musk’s x AI recently opened a data center. “Please google how much energy and pollution it takes to run AI,” she urged followers, reposting a comment highlighting how tech corporations exploit low-income areas for cheap resources while leaving residents to suffer the consequences.

Memphis activists have long warned about the center’s excessive water usage and pollution risks. “They treat southwest Memphis as just a corporate watering hole,” KeShaun Pearson of Memphis Community Against Pollution told TIME in 2023. SZA echoed their concerns, labeling the practice “environmental racism”—the systemic siting of polluting industries in communities of color.

“A Price for Convenience”

SZA didn’t mince words about AI’s human cost: “AI doesn’t give a fuck if you live or die,” she wrote. “There is a price for convenience, and Black and Brown [people] will pay the brunt of it every time.” She criticized the public’s dependence on AI, warning, “We won’t get it til it’s too late.”

Her posts resonated with fans, sparking discussions about tech accountability. When resharing her message on Instagram Stories, SZA added: “I really meant this and I’m deeply concerned .. pls care.”

Why It Matters

SZA’s outcry reflects a growing movement to expose AI’s environmental injustice. From energy-guzzling data centers to mineral mining for tech hardware, the industry’s footprint disproportionately harms vulnerable populations—a reality the singer insists shouldn’t be ignored. As she signed off: “Love y’all regardless.”

SZA Calls Out AI and Environmental Racism: "Tech Can’t Ignore Pollution in Our Communities"sza-calls-out-ai-and-environmental-racism-tech-cant-ignore-pollution-in-our-communitiesEbrunida KaradagJul 19, 2025In a recent interview, singer-songwriter SZA reportedly linked the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) to broader systemic issues like environmental racism, urging tech companies to address the...