Mark Zuckerberg has recorded a cover of the rap hit 'Get Low' with T-Pain, using Auto-Tune and an acoustic guitar, as a tribute to his wife Priscilla Chan for their dating anniversary. The song, originally by Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz, holds sentimental value for the couple as it played when they first met. Zuckerberg humorously released the track under the name Z-Pain, and Chan described the gesture as "romantic."
Auto-Tune, initially an audio processing tool from the 1990s, has become a staple in modern music, influencing artists and production styles. Despite some backlash, it is widely accepted and used as an instrument in its own right. The Vergecast explores Auto-Tune's origins, its impact on music, and its potential parallels with the emerging AI era in music production.
Rapper T-Pain reflects on his early career, including the pressure and responsibility that came with his success and the hate he received for his use of auto-tune. He also discusses his depression after fellow R&B star Usher criticized him for "f****d up music for real singers." T-Pain's stripped-down performance on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series went viral and showcased his natural singing abilities. He insists he doesn't have anything left to prove and tells people who doubt his singing abilities to "shut up." T-Pain now focuses on his family and hobbies, including his own music label and podcast.
