The problem with having access to AI tools is that you can get a hare-brained idea and act on it very quickly. Too quickly to slow down and wonder if you even should.
That’s what happened here. I was on mile 5 of a run, and at that point, the ideas I get aren’t always fully baked. But I was thinking about an article with the above title. And I realized it rhymes. So why not come up with a whole song about it instead of an article?
Well, I’m not a songwriter (and you definitely don’t want to hear me sing!). Instead, I turned to AI and asked it to come up with a song. It picked its viewpoint (which is obvious by the lyrics) and used Eminem’s style: complex, highly rhythmic rhyme style, acerbic disses and humor, clever wordplay, and double entendres.
With that, here’s what we got:
🎤 Build vs Buy in the Age of AI
[Verse 1]
Yo, welcome to the showdown – custom code or subscription?
Suits throwin’ money at problems versus home-grown encryption.
I’m vibe-codin’ my vision with an AI assistant sidekick,
While you buyin’ some off-the-shelf junk quick-fix – that’s a gimmick!
They say “just buy it” – bye! – I’ll DIY with more flavor,
Because my context-engineered flows do me a favor.
Six-month project? I’ll smash it out in two weeks, no doubt
While your procurement parade is all stakeholders in slowdown.
I got ChatGPT spittin’ code under my fingertips,
You still waiting on a sales rep, tighten up your lil’ slips.
Build vs Buy – I’m fly, you’re fallin’ behind tryin’ to justify,
I execute in “AI time”, watch that timeline compress and die.
Your CFO’s like “Why build? Can’t we purchase and save?”
But I’m Marshall with the math – long-term, your license is a grave.
You’re spending 100 billion just to poorly imitate,
Infrastructure for humans? Nah, my AI runs the whole state!
[Chorus] (🎶)
Build or buy? — Imma thrill and terrify.
In the Age of AI, wave those old constraints bye-bye.
Got that custom innovation, money can’t readily buy,
SaaS can kiss my assets, I’ll code till I die! (yea)
Build or buy? — welcome to the wild side.
This Slim Shady of coding got that arrogance amplified.
If you buy, say bye – your strategy’s run dry.
Build vs Buy in AI – watch me rule while you comply.
[Verse 2]
Look, I ain’t sayin’ buying’s evil – some tools do the trick,
But you’re juggling 120 apps, your stack’s make-me-sick.
SaaS sprawl in your hall, wallet hemorrhagin’ cash,
Meanwhile I’m crafting exact solutions with my AI stash.
I got Copilot in my cockpit and it’s locked on target,
Your vendor’s “features” feel like Beta – garbage, discard it.
My code’s tailored – every feature, straight slappin’,
Your product’s generic, half of its features ain’t happenin’.
You flexin’ “enterprise support” with compliance and scale,
I’m double-checking my prompts to ensure I don’t fail – (hahaha!)
Prompt engineering? Nah, this is context on steroids,
My AI reads the fine print, deploys humanoid androids.
While you file tickets, wait weeks for the next update cycle,
I iterate daily – new build upon build, call me Michael (Wyatt).
I’m bad meets evil with code – half human, half machine,
You’re Mad ’cause my app’s meaner while yours just umpteen.
I broke the barriers – turned a vision to reality in record time,
You still stuck in committees, that’s a corporate crime.
So get in line – you can try to catch up, but why?,
I already bought your favorite SaaS and built it better – goodbye!
[Bridge] (spoken)
Yeah, these suits don’t get it… they think you can swipe the company card and solve everything.
But in the age of AI, man, building’s a weapon – and I’m fully armed.
I got my code and my concepts, I got my agent on deck.
You got a procurement process. Haha. Good luck with that.
[Chorus] (🎶) [repeated]
Build or buy? — I’m the illest, that ain’t no lie.
Use an AI to multiply every line I supply.
You choose buy? Then bye-bye, watch your edge calcify.
It’s Build vs Buy in this era – and Shady’s on the build side.
[Outro] (spoken)
So next time you debate it – remember who’s killin’ it.
This is the new deal in software – adapt or get fried.
Build vs Buy in the Age of AI, baby… and I just body-slammed buy. Mic drop. 🎤💥
I did at least come to my senses before I started down the HeyGen path!