So An AI “Artist” Just Landed a US $3 Million Record Deal

In news that feels ripped straight from a Black Mirror script, an AI “artist” has signed a multi-million dollar record deal. Yep – you read that right. TikTok-famous power ballads, Beyoncé-adjacent vocals, and absolutely zero pulse. Welcome to the future of pop music.

The deal, which according to Billboard is reportedly worth US $3 million, comes courtesy of Hallwood Media, who’ve bet big on Xania Monet – an AI creation brought to life by human lyricist Telisha Jones using the generative music platform, Suno.

Xania Monet – ‘How Was I Supposed To Know’

Jones insists she writes all the lyrics herself, but it’s the AI doing the singing, composing, and, well… existing. Xania’s breakout track ‘How Was I Supposed to Know?’ (above) has already clocked up five million streams, proving that people will absolutely stream a robot if it sounds kinda like Beyoncé.

But before you start drafting your AI-collab wish list, there’s a whole minefield of problems here. For one, many fans didn’t even realise Xania Monet isn’t real, which could make for some spicy backlash now the secret’s out.

Then there’s the legal headache: Suno is already facing lawsuits for allegedly training its model on copyrighted music ripped straight from YouTube, and the US Copyright Office has made it clear they won’t grant copyright where the “expressive elements are determined by a machine”. Translation: Xania might not even fully own her own music.

Still, the music industry loves a gamble, and with AI already flooding TikTok playlists, Hallwood clearly think this could be more ‘Single Ladies’ than ‘single lawsuit’.

Whether Xania Monet turns out to be the future of pop or just another flash-in-the-algorithm remains to be seen. For now, one thing’s certain: your favourite new pop star doesn’t need a green room, a record advance, or even oxygen. RIP.

Further Reading

Daniel Bedingfield Embraces AI as the Future of Music-Making: ‘We Have To Adapt Or Die’

Grimes Talks to Julia Fox About AI and Being Cancelled

AI Software Creates “New” Nirvana Song