Kehlani and SZA aren’t fans of the recent signing of the first Artificial Intelligence music artist to sign a record deal.
As AI continues to advance, questions arise about the kinds of changes and impact the technology will have. As our sister site AfroTech reported, an AI R&B artist known as Xania Monet is shaking up the music industry after news spread like wildfire that she recently signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Hallwood Media.
Following the reveal, artists are speaking out on why this isn’t a great move for the music industry.
How are artists like Kehlani and SZA reacting to AI artist Xania Monet’s record deal?
Kehlani was one of the first singers to publicly share her feelings about why Xania Monet’s recording contract is unfair, because a computerized public figure does no real “work.”
“There is an AI R&B artist who just signed a multi-million dollar deal and has a top five R&B album, and the person is doing none of the work,” Kehlani said in a recorded video shared by The Shade Room. “I think you guys think that AI can just be the cover for something, which some people can use. They can make an AI cover.”
She continued, noting that she will never support the new wave of AI vocalists: “AI can also make the entire f**king song. It can sing the entire song. It can make the entire beat. You can have a song that’s one type of song and say, ‘AI, make this into a country song,’ and it will literally rewrite [and] re-sing in a country voice and redo the entire thing. And they don’t ever have to credit anyone. This is so beyond out of our control and nothing and no one on earth will be able to justify AI to me.”
Fans agreed with Kehlani’s stance. “AI needs to be banned at this point. Like it’s extremely scary,” one person commented.
“This is very weird! Nobody listening to not AI artist,” another person chimed in.
“I won’t be supporting no AI music. Matter of fact, this the last time I’m commenting on this foolishness,” someone else wrote.
SZA also expressed her concerns on her Instagram stories about AI, noting that the technology already causes “harm” to marginalized neighborhoods.
“Hey I hate AI. If you f**k w me PLEASE don’t make any AI images of me or songs. Ppl and children are dying from the harm n pollution AI energy centers are creating,” she wrote, according to The Shade Room. “A stupid photo is not worth polluting and harming the underserved communities. Thank you.”
“Ps. PLEASE KNOW EVERY TIME U USE OR PROMPT AI SOMEONE IN a forgotten community IS SUFFERING ❤️ eventually the effects will reach everyone,” she added. “By then it’ll be too late. Bless.”
In an Instagram Story, SZA also questioned whether the industry would devalue other genres.
How did Xania Monet land a record deal?
The AI musician was created by Mississippi-based songwriter Talisha Jones, who is also a poet and manages a design studio. Although she’s not the voice behind Xania Monet, she’s the lyricist behind the rising artificial singer’s original hit singles “How Was I Supposed to Know” and “Let Go, Let God,” both of which landed on Billboard lists.
Billboard published an article that stated “How Was I Supposed to Know” landed at No. 1 on R&B Digital Song Sales the week of Sept. 20 and at No. 3 on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales during the same week. Simultaneously, “Let Go, Let God” hit No. 21 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart.
Outside her own skills, Jones utilized the platform Suno AI. The AI music generator tool is backed by Timbaland, who serves as its strategic advisor, according to AfroTech. The legendary producer has been open about supporting the integration of AI and music to the extent that he launched his new label, Stage Zero. As reported by VICE, this creative AI-powered record label combines human and AI elements. When the record company was launched, Timbaland signed his first AI artist “TaTa” and hopes to develop new music genres like “AI Pop.”
During an interview on The Inner Court podcast in March, Timbaland mentioned that the 2024 presidential election has left a “soulless” gap in music concerning new artists and music, which is why he sees AI as a benefit to the industry.
“You could feel the pressure of the dividedness, and I hate that. This whole election divided us,” Timbaland explained, per VICE. “What I mean by that is it divided the music. The music sounds bland, it sounds boring—it lacks excitement. While we frequently discuss AI, I believe it’s the only entity that embodies a genuine soul right now. It allows for the expression of true feelings, resulting in it coming out beautiful.”
“I feel like right now everything is discombobulated,” he added. “Which aligns with everything in the world. Ain’t no song right now—and y’all gotta admit—that’s grabbing you. Ain’t no theme song for people’s [lives].”
