AI Can Make a Pop Star—But It Can’t Fake a Rap Story

Grammy-winning producer Timbaland is placing a major bet on artificial intelligence with the launch of Stage Zero, a new entertainment company that introduces TaTa—the first artist in a genre dubbed “A-pop.” Short for "artificial pop," the sound merges AI-generated vocals with human creativity, positioning itself as the next evolution in popular music.

Co-founded alongside film producer Rocky Mudaliar and AI music strategist Zayd Portillo, Stage Zero aims to push boundaries by creating fully digital music artists “from IP, code, and robotics.” Their debut project, TaTa, is not just a digital avatar, but what Timbaland describes as a “living, learning, autonomous music artist built with AI.”

“She is not an avatar. She is not a character,” he said. “TaTa is the start of something bigger. She’s the first artist of a new generation.”

TaTa’s creation involves a collaborative process between Timbaland’s traditional music production and Suno, the AI music platform where Timbaland has served as a creative advisor since October 2024. The workflow begins with human-made demos, which are then processed through AI to generate vocals using Suno’s Personas technology. Human writers contribute lyrics, blending machine-generated sound with carefully guided storytelling—at least for now.

Timbaland says what once took three months to complete can now be finished in just two days. Stage Zero's ambitions extend beyond music. The company plans to build TaTa into a full-blown digital personality, with music videos, social media engagement, and future appearances in film and television all on the roadmap. The vision, as Timbaland puts it, is to “produce systems, stories, and stars from scratch.”

While the concept of AI pop is certainly a bold experiment, we think it makes sense—particularly in a genre where narrative depth has never been the main draw. Pop music often prioritizes vibe over storytelling, focusing on escapism, aesthetics, and movement. It's the perfect testing ground for AI-generated talent that can deliver catchy hooks and polished visuals without the burden of lived experience.

But where AI might thrive in pop, it’s unlikely to be embraced the same way in rap, hip hop, or R&B. These genres are rooted in storytelling, authenticity, and personal truth. We’ve seen a few exceptions—artists who can get by without much substance—but the heart of the culture beats through real voices and real experiences. AI can help with production, sure, but an AI rapper attempting to chronicle street life or heartbreak? That’s a harder sell to a community that values lived reality.

TaTa’s debut single hasn't dropped yet, but Timbaland is already positioning her as a game-changer. Whether audiences agree remains to be seen—but if nothing else, A-pop is here, and it’s making noise.