what happens when you take two icons and merge them together?
meet cardi smith.
A trippy, surreal, and cognitive diassociation experiment with two comedians.
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Cardi Smith is a deepfake mashup that took the internet by storm in 2019, combining the faces of Cardi B and Will Smith in a way that was both surreal and seamless.
Created by Myster Giraffe, the piece demonstrated the potential of deepfake technology as an art form rather than just a novelty. It featured Cardi B’s signature expressions and voice, but with Will Smith’s face flawlessly mapped over hers, creating a bizarre but hilarious fusion of two instantly recognizable celebrities.
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The result was a hyper-realistic yet absurd remix that looked convincing enough to momentarily trick the brain, but comedic enough to make viewers do a double take.
The mashup also leaned into the weird and wonderful side of AI, making something so uncanny that it felt like it belonged in an alternate universe where Cardi B and Will Smith were the same person.
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The internet erupted when Cardi Smith dropped, racking up 25+ million views and spreading like wildfire across social media. Even Cardi B and Will Smith themselves took notice, with Smith joking, "Whoever did this is hired," a nod to the sheer quality of the work.
The viral success not only cemented Myster Giraffe as a major player in the deepfake space but also signaled a shift in how AI-generated content could be embraced by pop culture. The clip blurred the line between technology and entertainment, sparking curiosity, laughter, and a glimpse into the future of digital media.