If we truly consider what makes music so impactful, one might argue that art requires emotion, intention, and lived experiences to embody a resonant essence. Many also contend that musical style can only be developed through essential human elements. However, recent developments in the music industry have brought this debate to a head. Last month, it was revealed that, according to Billboard Pro, poet and designer Telisha “Nikki” Jones secured a multimillion dollar record deal with her AI generated artist, Xania Monet, through former Interscope executive Neil Jacobson’s Hallwood Media. This followed an intense bidding war among multiple labels, and the AI artist has already charted highly on Billboard. The technology that brought the artist to fruition, Suno AI, is currently embroiled in a copyright battle with major record companies, creating a significant point of tension at the core of this breakthrough.
This success poses a crucial question: what does the future hold for Black musicians when AI artists are being signed alongside them? With the rise of AI generated work, many argue these songs lack the “soul” of human art that sustains and transcends one’s spirit on a musical euphoric journey. This could diminish the perceived value of creative work overall. Music has long been known to heal and unite communities, serving as a powerful tool for resistance and cultural preservation throughout centuries. From the rhythmic beats of African traditions to modern day hip hop, music remains a historical tapestry for Black people. However, proponents of AI argue that these new tools democratize music production, offering artists access to complex sounds and arrangements that were previously limited by budget or technical skill.
Despite its potential as a tool, many industry experts remain concerned about AI’s impact on authenticity. When asked about the different ways AI is used and how it could reshape the music industry, Christian McCurdy, CEO of Legion Management and manager of multiple talents, stated, “I think it creates laziness and a lack of talent that will take away from what makes music special. The same way how modern art isn’t appreciated anything close to how Michelangelo is/was. Music was personal yet relatable, there are real feelings attached to songs. I think we lose that with AI,” he told GU.
An ethical concern lies in how many AI models are trained by processing datasets of existing music and other copyrighted material without the original creator’s consent or compensation. Imagine creating something that takes time and effort only for it to be uploaded to a digital platform without your permission. This became a relevant topic when the Curtiss King TV podcast featured producer Kuddie Fresh, who discussed his reaction to discovering that Timberland had uploaded his beat as personal content. For emerging artists, this can be very shocking, as it may undermine their feelings of earning proper recognition. It can also force them to prioritize social media recognition and monetary gain over the creative journey.
This raises another vital question in the music industry: who is considered the artist? Is it the developer of the AI model, the person who writes the prompt, or the AI itself? Jones’ manager, Romel Murphy, commented on her musical journey: “She’s been writing poetry for a long time. Ninety percent of her lyrics are her own true stories, and the other 10 percent are inspired by the stories of her friends and community. What’s making the songs catch is not a hook and a bridge and a catchy chant, it’s just the lyrics, and they are pure,” he told Billboard. This highlights the complex issue of authorship, as the industry grapples with copyright and potential market flooding that threatens artists’ livelihoods.
Established musicians have viewed this not just as a threat, but as a call to action. Singer songwriter Kehlani expressed her concerns about how the rapid rise of AI generated musicians might affect creativity and artistry. She was not alone in her feelings, as SZA echoed her sentiments by posting on her IG stories, “Hey, I hate AI.” The complexity of this issue emphasizes a broader conversation about how the future of art and technology will be navigated.
AI’s ability to imitate an artist’s style raises concerns about the potential for style appropriation that exploits Black musicians’ creative efforts, thereby devaluing human creativity. For example, AI generated artist Xania Monet, with 9 million streams earning between $27,000 and $45,000 in gross revenue, highlights the danger of undercutting human artists. As these tools generate content quickly and at lower costs, many artists risk losing freelance work to more affordable AI options.
From an industry standpoint, this isn’t personal; it’s a business decision. While AI generated music becomes more common, many business executives are analyzing how these methods will save them the most money and time in artist development compared to human artists. “It’s business, it’ll make money regardless, I can’t blame a label for doing business. It is just unfortunate when an AI is prioritized over an artist. We are already in a system where development isn’t appreciated, this only makes it worse. Why sign a young Chris Brown, or Bruno Mars, or The Weeknd who need years of development when you can sign a machine who costs a fraction and takes less work? It’s a business but it is also a potential tragedy to the future of creation and young superstars,” McCurdy told GU.
What does this signify for the future of upcoming artists trying to break into the music industry? This could potentially indicate that many artists might get overlooked and the music industry landscape could experience a depletion of authenticity. Kehlani addressed this perspective specifically in a social post: “I’m genuinely sad for people who are trying to come up, and their space is being taken up by a computer program. IT, not she, is taking all of the data it’s collected on us and what we want and tailoring it to us, even down to the voice.”
If we look at history, a typical pattern is for musicians to imitate others’ styles as inspiration and a step toward creating a unique voice, or homage known as pastiche. Still, we have also seen the adverse effects of cultural appropriation in Black music, such as how Big Mama Thornton often does not get recognized as the creator of “Hound Dog,” which is instead labeled as an Elvis hit song. These musical occurrences might repeat itself with AI replacing human artists. The similarities are remarkably parallel to one another. With the rise of AI generated music influenced by other artists’ work, the same harmful effects can occur, as these developments may use artists’ music without their consent or fair compensation. While AI can mimic styles and elements, its full deployment relies on strong ethical guidelines to protect the intellectual property rights of artists from the past, present, and future. For many artists, music is more than just a form of expression; it is a tangible reflection of their testimony, manifestations, and growth that stem from developing their craft.