The only good thing coming out of this 'Papaoutai' AI mess is that people are rediscovering the original masterpiece. Stromae's performance in the original video—where he acts like a stiff, lifeless mannequin to represent his absent father—is high art. The AI version sounds 'smooth,' but it has zero soul. You can clone the voice, but you can't clone the intention. Go stream the original today and disrespect the algorithm.

Hate the AI all you want, but the 'Papaoutai Afro Soul' version going viral proves one thing: The general public doesn't care about 'real' vs 'fake.' They just want a vibe. 97% of listeners can't tell the difference anymore. This is the Napster moment for 2026. Labels can try to ban it, but the algorithm has already decided that AI music works. We are entering an era where the 'artist' is optional, and that is terrifying for the industry.

The fact that an AI cover of 'Papaoutai' is charting on Spotify is disgusting. We aren't just talking about copyright infringement; we are talking about moral bankruptcy. Stromae wrote that song about his father being murdered in the Rwandan genocide. It is a song about grief and trauma. For tech bros to feed his voice into an algorithm and monetize that pain without his consent is evil. Spotify needs to remove it immediately. If we normalize this, no artist's soul is safe.

Sabrina Carpenter being a top-tier headliner proves she is the new main pop girl. Two years ago she was playing the afternoon slot; now she owns the night. Her rise has been insane. This is going to be the 'Short n' Sweet' victory lap. If she brings out Taylor Swift as a guest, the internet will actually break. It’s finally her time.

Nature is healing. Justin Bieber headlining Coachella 2026 is exactly the comeback we needed. After years of health struggles and cancellations, seeing him top the bill feels like a victory lap. People forget he has one of the deepest catalogs in pop history. When 'Baby' or 'Sorry' plays in the desert, it’s going to be a generational moment. Sabrina Carpenter is cool, but Bieber is the real draw here. The King of Pop is back.

Kendrick Lamar doing the Super Bowl in New Orleans is the final nail in the coffin for the beef. This is the biggest victory lap in hip-hop history. After 'Not Like Us' united the entire world, the NFL had no choice but to pick him. We are about to witness a masterclass in performance art. I hope he brings out the whole West Coast and turns the Super Bowl into a Compton block party. He is the only artist right now who can balance artistic integrity with commercial appeal. Drake who?