Gayle King’s recent CBS Mornings interview with poet Telisha “Nikki” Jones introduced many viewers to Xania Monet, the first AI-powered artist to debut on a Billboard Airplay chart. For some, it was a landmark of innovation; for others, a warning sign of what’s being lost. Jones described Xania as “a real person,” explaining that she built the singer through the AI music platform Suno to bring her poetry to life. The conversation quickly went viral after King’s incredulous remark, “But you can’t sing,” crystallizing the tension between creativity and code.

The Poet Behind the Code

Telisha Jones is a Mississippi-based writer who has spent years composing lyrics and spoken word. Unable to find vocalists to match her creative vision—or budget—she turned to technology. Using Suno’s voice-generation software, she created Xania Monet, a digital artist with an R&B tone that mirrors the emotion of traditional soul singers. Her breakout track How Was I Supposed to Know? reached No. 30 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart and earned her a multimillion-dollar deal with Hallwood Media.

Jones sees her creation not as an imitation of human artistry but an extension of her authorship. She writes every lyric, programs each vocal nuance, and shapes Monet’s image with poetic intent. The Gayle King interview presented her as confident yet misunderstood, a creative who dared to use technology as instrument rather than threat. But as clips of the exchange spread online, the discussion shifted from admiration to unease.

The Industry’s Identity Crisis

The reaction to Xania Monet has been swift and divided. Established artists like Kehlani and SZA condemned AI’s growing role in music, describing it as “soulless” and “distasteful.” Billboard data confirms that at least one AI-assisted artist has charted weekly in recent months, signaling a rapid cultural shift. For many performers, this represents not progress but displacement—a future where algorithms outstream artists who have lived the emotions they sing.

Jones and her manager, Romel Murphy, argue otherwise. They frame Xania as proof that technology can expand opportunity, not erase it. “Youth are still listening to artists who’ve passed,” Murphy told Billboard, “and they’re connected through that music.” Their defense, though thoughtful, collides with an industry built on the romance of struggle and authenticity. When an R&B voice without lungs sings about heartbreak, listeners start to question where the soul truly resides.

Public Debate and the Future of R&B

On social media, the debate is fierce. About 70 percent of posts about Xania Monet lean negative, often mocking the concept of an AI singer in a genre known for emotion. Critics accuse Jones of cheapening the labor of vocalists who spent years perfecting their craft. Some call Xania “the death of R&B.” Yet a smaller but growing faction defends her work as an act of ownership, a Black woman reclaiming profit from an industry that has long undervalued lyricists.

Gayle King’s interview amplified that divide. To supporters, the segment symbolized recognition; to detractors, it was a glimpse into a future where technology replaces humanity in art. Despite the backlash, Xania’s streams continue to climb, with over 17 million plays since August. Curiosity, it seems, is as powerful as criticism.

Discover more from Feminegra

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.