Boy Throb is a breath of fresh air in a world filled with AI slop

If you spend hours scrolling through Instagram reels, you might run into Boy Throb. The boy band went viral after posting subpar parodies of popular songs. 

In their videos, they asked for two things: to win a Grammy award and to get their fourth member, Darshan Magdum, a visa to move to the United States.

Due to the band’s ambition and unique style that caught the attention of fans, they gained over a million followers on Instagram and TikTok. Their newfound internet success then led to five original songs, attendance at the 2026 Grammys, a sold-out tour and a song featuring Kesha.

In a world where young girls don’t have One Direction or Backstreet Boys to pine over, Boy Throb is a salvation for tween media. There’s a catch: they’re not good. 

Their vocals are often flat, their dance moves are uncoordinated, and the lyrics to their original songs are average — at best. Some users online question whether the band is real or if it’s a marketing strategy. Some even believe the band is a scheme created by Canadian comedian Nathan Fielder.

Yet on Aug. 3, the band announced on their YouTube channel that Magdum received his O-1 visa, allowing him to move from India to the United States. 

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, an O-1 visa is reserved for someone who has “extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics … and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements.”

The announcement was surprising, even for fans, since the United States government had previously requested Magdum to send further evidence to process his visa back in March. 

So is Boy Throb genuine, or is it just a Fielder prank? Honestly, I don’t know, and I don’t care about the answer. 

While I do think that some of the band’s fame came from their unusual marketing, there is more to Boy Throb than viral videos.

The band didn’t gain popularity because of their extraordinary skills; they became popular because anyone can relate to them. Boy Throb is made of real people who are passionate about their craft. This passion is what captivates fans. 

With all the technology we have now, there’s value in imperfect art. Hundreds of AI slop artists always have perfect pitch and a generic sound, but they don’t have the same impact or charm as Boy Throb. 

We are past the point where art is equivalent to perfection. With the vast access we have to AI, perfect art is easier to achieve. In a few seconds, anyone can use an AI music generator and make the next song of the summer. But to have the same passion as Boy Throb, humanity must be behind it. 

As much as I love to be critical, Boy Throb is not that bad. In the year since their career blew up, the band’s dancing and singing have improved significantly and, although I don’t think they will ever be a generational talent, watching them become successful is enjoyable. 

While I spent hours studying for my final exams last semester, I would take breaks to watch the “Finger” music video or scroll through their Instagram account. 

Seeing the iconic pink tracksuits and over-the-top energy brings me so much joy, even if they’re not perfect. Sue me.

Members of Boy Throb have also been using their pocket of fame for good causes. 

Anthony Key, another band member, incentivized fans to donate to those affected by a tornado in Merrillville, Ind.. Fans who donated were entered in a draw to win a free ticket to one of their sold-out shows and the chance to meet Key. These kinds of actions make them so easy to root for.

When I’m scrolling through social media and constantly asking myself if what I’m watching is real or AI, artists like Boy Throb bring me hope that people still want to create something authentic — even if it doesn’t fit the internet’s harsh standards.