Xania Monet: The AI Artist Taking the Music World by Storm

Popular music artist Xania Monet’s voice has been heard by millions, but some fans were shocked to discover that she is a product of artificial intelligence. Monet may be an avatar, but behind her is a real person: Telisha “Nikki” Jones.

“Xania is an extension of me”

Jones created the persona just four months ago when she was teaching herself AI. The 31-year-old Mississippi native admits she’s not a singer, but says the “lyrics are 100% mine” and that they come from poems she wrote based on real experiences. Jones told “CBS Mornings” in an interview that “Xania is an extension of me, so I look at her as a real person.”

The Songwriting Process

Jones describes her song-writing process as flipping through her poetry list to figure out which song she wants to make a song about. She enters the lyrics into an AI music generator app, then adds various prompts like slow R&B tempo, soulful female vocals, light guitar and heavy drums – then clicks create. Jones says she wrote about real experiences, including losing her father when she was just 8 years old, which inspired her hit song “How Was I Supposed to Know?”

Achieving Success with AI

Billboard says Monet is the “first known AI artist to earn enough radio airplay to debut on a Billboard radio chart” and has appeared on at least five Billboard charts since her first song release. Jones’ AI music success led to a multi-million dollar exclusive record deal with Hallwood Media.

Addressing Criticism

Jones’ use of AI in music has sparked criticism from some artists, including Grammy-nominated Kehlani, who railed against the use of AI in creative fields. However, Jones says she doesn’t let critics stop her from making art, and that “everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Technology is evolving.” Jones also addressed the fears of some that AI could enable people to make music whose ethnic or cultural background may not belong to them, responding: “I am Telisha. I am a part of your culture; I am a black woman; I am a creator; I am an entrepreneur; I created Xania.”

The Future of Music

Jones says she doesn’t consider using AI as a shortcut, but admits that it “challenges the norm” and that it often provokes strong reactions. She views AI as a tool, an instrument that she uses to create music. With her success, Jones is paving the way for a new era of music, one that combines human creativity with the power of artificial intelligence.