Google has teamed up with rapper Lupe Fiasco to create a new AI language inspired by the Grammy-winning rapper’s writing techniques. According to Lupe, the tool called TextFX “specifically focuses on the writing process of creating raps.”
This AI experiment utilizes the PaLM 2 large language model to generate creative text possibilities for rappers, writers, and wordsmiths. The tool consists of 10 tools, including Simile, Explode, Unexpect, Chain, POV, Alliteration, Acronym, Fuse, Scene, and Unfold.
Lupe explains, “These tools generate similes, create acronyms, and provide a wide array of possibilities to delve into the world of text and language.”
A Google’s developer blog post explains that the inspiration for TextFX came from observing Lupe’s unique creative process.
“We started by spending time with Lupe to observe and learn about his creative process. This process was invariably marked by a sort of linguistic “tinkering”—that is, deconstructing language and then reassembling it in novel and innovative ways,” the blog post reads. “Some of Lupe’s techniques, such as simile and alliteration, draw from the canon of traditional literary devices. But many of his tactics are entirely unique. Among them was a clever way of creating phrases that sound identical to a given word but have different meanings, which he demonstrated for us using the word “expressway.”
For his demonstration, when prompted with “expressway,” TextFX lists out various plays on the word, such as “espresso,” “ex-press,” “weigh,” and more— offering rappers and writers to explore the infinite possibilities that come with words.
“One of the things i wanted to do was not to remove the rapper from the process but to keep the rapper in the process in a more empowered and informed way,” added Lupe.
Though still in development, TextFX is currently available for free to the public on the Google Labs website.
Also watch Lupe create a song titled ‘Glass Of Water’ from scratch using TextFX. Would you be using this to improve your writing?
