The rise of AI artist Xania Monet has sparked celebration and criticism alike, forcing the music industry to confront questions about authenticity, ownership, and artistry.
The signing of Xania Monet, a virtual R&B artist, to a $3 million deal with Hallwood Media has intensified one of the most heated debates in music: How far artificial intelligence should be allowed to go in the creative process.
On paper, Xania Monet appears to be an overnight success. Her track “Let Go, Let God” recently hit No. 21 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart, and she landed at No. 25 on the Emerging Artists list. Another single, “How Was I Supposed to Know,” debuted at No. 1 on R&B Digital Song Sales. But Xania Monet is no typical newcomer. She’s powered by Suno, an AI platform capable of generating vocals and instrumentals. The lyrics, however, come from Mississippi poet and designer Telisha Jones, who uses her personal stories as the foundation for the music.
Suno’s involvement has made the project a source of controversy. Despite industry turmoil over AI-generated music, Hallwood Media’s Neil Jacobson is doubling down. The former Interscope executive, recognized by Billboard for his forward-looking approach, has previously signed AI music creator Imoliver and declared AI “the future of our medium.”
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While multiple artists have expressed their concerns about AI music, the Recording Academy is also grappling with the issue. In a previous interview with Boardroom, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. acknowledged AI’s creative potential but emphasized the need for transparency and safeguards to ensure human artistry remains central. He pointed out that the Grammys won’t fully recognize AI-written songs in categories like songwriting, though AI-assisted works may qualify if the human contribution is clear.
Timbaland has been another prominent voice in the conversation. He has praised Xania Monet’s music and advises Suno directly, while also launching his own AI-focused label, Stage Zero, where he signed a virtual artist named TaTa. But his experiments haven’t been without backlash. He previously faced criticism for uploading another producer’s beat into Suno without crediting the creator.
The debate over Xania Monet’s record deal underscores a larger question for the industry: Where do we draw the line?
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