Joe Rogan has found a new obsession, and it’s not psychedelics or ancient civilizations—it’s AI-generated music.
Specifically, the podcast host has become entranced by AI covers of 50 Cent songs performed in a 1950s soul style, playing them repeatedly for guests on The Joe Rogan Experience with an enthusiasm that rivals his legendary DMT discussions.
The pattern has become predictable: at some point during nearly every recent episode, Rogan will enthusiastically introduce his latest AI music discovery to his guests. He doesn’t just play a brief sample either. He insists on playing full songs, sometimes multiple tracks, while intently watching his guests’ reactions with what observers have dubbed the “AI slop stare.”
When Andrew Schulz appeared on the show and mentioned he’d already heard the “Many Men” AI version, Rogan immediately pivoted to play “What Up Gangster” instead, unable to contain his excitement.
Rogan’s enthusiasm goes beyond casual appreciation. He’s declared that AI music has become his “favorite music now” and boldly claimed that the AI 50 Cent soul covers are “better than the original.”
During one episode, he stated that if the AI singer were a real person, “he’d be a superstar” and “the number one music artist in the world.” He’s even replayed these songs for guests after podcast recordings at his comedy club, unable to get enough of the AI-generated content.
What makes this phenomenon particularly notable is how it mirrors Rogan’s previous obsession with DMT. He would bring it up constantly, share enthusiastically with guests whether they’d heard about it or not, and discuss with an almost evangelical fervor.
The AI music has replaced those conversations, becoming a guaranteed segment of his show.
Even the audience has grown tired of his constant AI 50 Cent obsession, mocking him in the comments.
However, this fixation extends beyond just music. Rogan has become increasingly susceptible to AI-generated content across the board, frequently falling for AI images and videos that contain obvious tells like six-fingered hands.
Even when his producer Jamie tries to point out that content is AI-generated, Rogan often resists the correction, preferring to believe it’s real. He’s shared AI-generated motivational speeches, thinking them genuine, and promoted AI comedy tools that could potentially threaten the careers of actual comedians.
The irony isn’t lost on many observers. While Rogan has spent years warning about various threats to authenticity and human creativity, he’s now become one of AI-generated content’s most enthusiastic promoters, consuming and sharing it with uncritical abandon.
His guests often express discomfort about AI’s implications for their industries, but Rogan remains undeterred, jamming out to AI soul covers and marveling at technology’s capabilities.