Why T-Pain Started Using Auto-Tune | Genius Level

On March 19, groundbreaking rapper, singer, and producer T-Pain stopped by Genius for the latest installment of Genius Level, our live conversation series with icons of the music business, including influential artists, songwriters, producers, and executives. During the conversation with Genius' Head of Artist Relations Rob Markman, T-Pain participated in a retrospective spanning his over decade-long career.
T-Pain explained that he first started using Auto-Tune to make his vocals unique. “I needed something to set myself apart, while still being able to use my harmony and turn my voice into an instrument. Basically, I saw my songs at the time as instrumentals, even with my vocals on it,” he remembered. “I heard it on a Jennifer Lopez song. It was a Dark Child remix of ‘If You Had My Love.’”
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[@melaniemarte8607]

Lmao when he said TRASH 🤣🤣

[@THHGURU]

This was a very dope episode. Honestly at this point in hip hop - auto-tune is being improperly used. Really should only be a tool to help artists hit certain pitches on a minimal level. I hate going to concerts and hearing heavy auto tune artists perform without their auto-time mic. You can barely tell it’s them at times.

[@sheilamccullough2616]

Loved it

[@kherojay6128]

why its improperly? just cause you dont like how it sounds? why you have to decide how every artist in the world should sound?
new generation's artists are using it as an robotic/futuristic effect, not just as a pitch corrector. If you dont like it you should go listen some other shit, but stop with the "improperly" shit dont be so boomer

[@thataurus2492]

I noticed he didn't use it in "In luv with a stripper" as soon the 1st verse hit

[@vbandzproductions]

He don't need no auto tune. My boy is the goat.

[@alfersnoz7832]

I guess he did that's how dude got rich and noticed that's no complament b'coz like pop the man is soda like bubble gum his flavor been over

[@Hamboarding]

autotune nice, tho

[@LeBeautiful]

The one that changed it all

[@kung-fukennyfamily]

T-Pain is The king of Auto-Tune🔥🔥🔥 , Living Legend🐐.

[@davidbarber3739]

You dont.have to explain yourself Teddy....you deserve all the credit for what music evolved too

[@rickybernard8930]

when all your favorite artist in the world today using auto tone. just remember t pain made the way for them

[@TrapHausCreo]

Dance floor is still my favourite T-Pain song

[@youngnchasingitfrentertain2287]

Goat

[@mrtedclayton]

Damn. T-Pain is still relevant!

[@justhuman7335]

He's the god of auto tune

[@imrecco]

If autotune works it works, if it doesn't it doesn't, simple as that.

[@ddquintana9423]

El papa del autotune

[@ps4080]

Tpain is responsible for travis and i appreciate him for that

[@ps4080]

@@zesldn he still influenced him though

[@1lilshawn__]

Tf you think Kanye got auto tune from idiot? T-pain literally said he helped Kanye on 808s and Heartbreaks

[@bball2719]

*Travis Scott and T-pain is the king of autotune*

[@S1imshadow]

SLASHERBOII they should make a song together

[@user-wv2ql8ey6v]

I think Nav good too

[@macewbee]

True

[@torianmcneill3794]

Roger too

[@adventureswithkingej9914]

respect TEDDY-PAIN!

[@LuxuriousKoala]

Sometimes I wish my voice was just pure autotune so every time i talk sounds and 808s come out

[@trevorguerrero7531]

Lil Wayne lol

[@chris-jj9ge]

Haha

[@akemathwal1368]

The James Charles dude gotta chill fr

[@igorsenayoutube]

I agree that it's a shame that he uses auto-tune. He has a really soulful voice and it does him a huge disservice to have it on.

[@lJayMartinl]

I honestly don't see anything wrong with him using it and it's sad that people care that much. His songs are amazing. What is dumb is how they sign artists who can't actually sing nor rap and have them use it to mask the vocal abilities they don't have. And I think that's why a lot of artists were upset but that's out of his hand. He doesn't sign those artists

[@thegusk520]

Luved the autotune era.

[@kmelli618]

future is the same way

[@JustAVibee]

Say hi

[@kagi1346]

Helo

[@juniourst3ven596]

BAD CHOICE or GOOD CHOICE? YOU DECIDE...

[@uziwitnovert]

King of Auto Tune
👑

[@wwemasta]

Autotune is a plugin, everyone uses it, and people use melodyne as well,

[@teambreezy456]

I'm verified on y'all site.

[@sheilamccullough2616]

I Love Future with autotune

[@ChadEditorZ]

poopoo sock

[@thokozanimoagi3638]

T-pain king of auto-tune.

[@missesguh]

I knew t pain could sing because of a video roomieofficial released about autotune

[@sinfinite7516]

I like autotune so…

[@joshuadity]

Hey Jesus Christ loves you, acts 238, and upci church locator for a church :)

[@zrn1nja629]

great video

[@mehtabsingh4943]

[ZR] N1NJA video great

[@techa980]

Bruh

[@rajni_bais_sahu]

WTF

[@jordanmcguire5004]

🚮

[@jan-michaelvincent6949]

Because he can't really sing duh 😂

[@magimads]

he can tho

[@Pharoah510]

This is a false ass statement,t-pain can actually sing...

[@nosky_]

your comment really shows how ignorant you are mate

[@swacfan100]

He actually has a descent voice, which is why ppl that heard him when he 1st came out , wonder why he chose the auto tune route. He didn't do that when he 1st came in the scene.

[@Zockledoof]

It's like a synth vs a piano, or distortion on a guitar, it just sounds cool