Generative AI is taking over all industries, but many people are less than thrilled about such technological revelations. Singer Xania Monet — an AI creation who recently signed a multimillion-dollar record deal with Hallwood Media — has been the subject of controversy among music lovers and artists alike.
Monet is the invention of poet Telisha “Nikki” Jones, who created Monet about four months ago. While many have vocalized their opposition to the use of AI in art, Jones stood by her invention in a CBS Mornings interview with Gayle King that aired Wednesday, November 5.
"Xania is an extension of me,” said Jones. “So I look at her as a real person.”
Jones herself admitted she’s not a singer, but she claimed the lyrics are all her. Her process consists of her writing lyrics, entering them into an AI music generator app, and adding instrumentation and speed prompts to produce a song. "I'm just taking what I love doing and mixing it with tech," said Jones.
Since revealing Monet to the world, Jones has seen the character achieve — used loosely — some big milestones. Monet’s latest song “How Was I Supposed to Know?” reached No. 20 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs, making her the first AI artist to appear on the Billboard charts. Still, many artists aren’t impressed, including “Folded” hitmaker Kehlani, who vocalized her chagrin toward AI in art in a recent TikTok video.
Jones, however, didn’t seem fazed by it, and maintained she’s still a fan of Kehlani.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” Jones said. “Technology's evolving. Everybody has different ways of putting in work to get to where they're at. I don't feel that way about it. I still love Kehlani's music. I still listen to her every day.”
