All I am left with

Last summer I used AI to create an album called Aquafunkapus and the Band of Misfit Heroes.

Aquafunkapus has existed in my imagination for over 25 years — my first personal email address was aquafunkapus@yahoo.com. In 2020, I published my first novel, Aquafunkapus and the Band of Misfit Heroes. With the advent of AI, I have been able to bring what has existed in my imagination to life.

So this summer I decided to reach back into my musical roots and do some composing — really as a way to heal my musical wound. I was a music major in college, and it went south quickly. But not being one to give up, I decided to take back all I had not pursued. This is my first composition: the words are mine, the style is mine, the music was created by me.

Then yesterday, that healing got tested.

I was on Instagram, and a man was selling his salsa at a neighborhood market. Two comments in the section struck me. They called the man out for using AI on his label, saying he was contributing to killing people.

It shook me up. I took on that stranger’s opinion and accused myself of being those things. But the truth is — and it’s the theme of this song — you don’t have to carry the opinions of others. Celebrate your contribution in whatever way it comes.

Check out “All I Am Left With”: https://open.spotify.com/album/5UiDXK1sl6KBqo24G5T79L?si=MnJUfV-LR72PvVcFQYb1Pw&utm_source=copy-link

What opinion are you carrying that was never yours to hold?