The rise of artificial intelligence in music just took another leap, and not everyone is celebrating. Reports surfaced this week that AI R&B artist Xania Monet — powered by Mississippi writer Telisha Nikki Jones — has signed a multi-million-dollar record deal with Hallwood Media, led by ex-Interscope Records executive Neil Jacobson.
According to Billboard, Jones uses AI platform Suno to transform her lyrics into fully produced songs and a digital persona. Xania Monet has already gained millions of streams, even landing a Top 5 R&B album, making her one of the first AI-driven artists to achieve mainstream commercial success.
The U.S. Copyright Office weighed in earlier this year, clarifying that AI may be used as an “assistive tool” in creative work, but works created primarily by machines cannot receive copyright. Still, the report added that decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, leaving much uncertainty for the future of AI in music.
Kehlani Slams AI in Music: “I Don’t Respect It”
Among the loudest critics of this development is Grammy-nominated singer Kehlani, who took to social media to voice frustration at what she sees as the devaluing of art and human effort.
In a TikTok video, she explained:
“There is an AI R&B artist who just signed a multi-million-dollar deal, and has a Top 5 R&B album, and the person is doing none of the work. … AI can also make the entire fking song. It can sing the entire song. It can make the entire beat. … This is so beyond out of our control. Nothing and no one on Earth will ever be able to justify AI to me. Especially not fking AI in the creative arts … I’m sorry, I don’t respect it.”
Kehlani later expanded on Instagram Stories, saying she feels for up-and-coming artists who are being displaced by “a computer program” instead of being given opportunities to grow. She urged that art should never be reduced to a “money grab,” emphasizing that music holds cultural and human value that cannot be replicated by machines.
Fans React To The Debate
Social media users are split. Some fans agreed with Kehlani, praising her for standing up for real artists who dedicate their lives to the craft. Others defended Jones, saying that her use of AI gives her a creative outlet she otherwise wouldn’t have had.
Regardless, the conversation highlights a growing tension: what role should AI play in the future of music? For Kehlani, the answer is clear — technology may be powerful, but it will never replace authenticity, sacrifice, and the soul that human artists bring to the table.
