Is this Billboard Hot 100 hit AI slop?

<figure> <img alt="The seemingly AI generated cover art for Fenix Flexin’s Rubberz." data-caption="That cover art is almost certainly AI, too. | Image: Fenix Flexin" data-portal-copyright="Image: Fenix Flexin" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/artworks-WsdIgVXV8NOV-0-t1080x1080.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> That cover art is almost certainly AI, too. | Image: Fenix Flexin </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Fenix Flexin is best known as a member of Shoreline Mafia, a rap duo from Los Angeles. But he's recently found solo success with the track "<a href="https://youtu.be/Hl5_Lc6b3AU">Rubberz</a>," which has climbed to number 58 on the <a href="https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/">Billboard Hot 100</a>. Almost immediately, though, questions were raised about the song's origins, with many speculating that it was largely, if not <a href="https://youtu.be/fzkoENoDrbs">entirely</a>, generated by AI. Fenix has denied those accusations, but done little to dispel them.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Part of the suspicion is certainly due to the fact that the song is a dramatic left turn. Fenix has primarily trafficked in <a href="https://youtu.be/Ib-tOtLDdRA">trap-influenced</a> <a href="https://youtu.be/17TthjWbvVY">West Coast</a> <a href="https://youtu.be/0wsCBQlB79k">rap</a>. "Rubberz," on the other hand, is heavily influenced by '80s UK s …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/974209/fenix-flexin-billboard-hot-100-rubberz-ai-slop">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>