Artificial intelligence has become one of the most debated topics in the music industry. Artists across every genre have raised concerns about AI replicating voices, creating songs, and even copying a musician’s unique style. But according to Kirk Hammett, AI isn’t the biggest problem facing today’s music.
Instead, the legendary guitarist believes modern pop music has become too perfect.
“It’s All in the Struggle”
Speaking about the current state of music, Hammett reflected on how musicians once had to rely on patience, persistence, and countless hours of trial and error to develop their skills.
“I kind of lament those days when people had to really struggle to learn, because it’s all in the struggle. And it’s all in the determination and being inspired at the same time that forces you to come up with your own stuff and eventually your own sound and style.”
For Hammett, those challenges weren’t obstacles—they were essential ingredients in creating originality. He worries that today’s abundance of online tutorials, technology, and instant access to information may be making musicians technically impressive while limiting the development of unique artistic identities.
Has Perfection Come at a Cost?
Hammett acknowledged that modern musicians possess an incredible level of technical ability. However, he questioned whether flawless musicianship automatically leads to better music.
“I just worry about how things are so perfect these days, the musicianship. It’s great that all these guitar players have all this vast knowledge of technique at their fingertips. I wonder where it’s leading to.”
Rather than criticizing talent, Hammett is asking whether technical perfection has overshadowed creativity and individuality.
Looking Back at the Old Days
Reflecting on his own journey, Hammett recalled learning guitar the hard way—playing records repeatedly, training his ear, and figuring out songs by trial and error.
He explained that if three guitarists were asked to play “I’m the One” from Van Halen, each performance would sound different because everyone interpreted the music in their own way.
According to Hammett, that unpredictability gave music a unique charm and helped players develop their own voice.
A Harsh Verdict on Today’s Pop Music
While Hammett remains hopeful for the future, he didn’t hold back when describing today’s songwriting.
He expressed hope that the next generation of musicians—who have access to endless educational resources online—will use those tools to create more original songs and raise the standard of popular music.
Still, his overall assessment was blunt.
Calling today’s pop songwriting “crap,” Hammett doubled down on his opinion before offering an unapologetic message to pop fans.
Whether listeners agree or disagree, his comments highlight an ongoing debate in the music world: Has technology made musicians better while making music less distinctive? As artists continue to embrace AI, digital production, and online learning, that question is likely to remain at the center of conversations about the future of music.