AI Artist Xania Monet Makes Billboard History With "How Was I Supposed To Know"

Xania Monet cracked the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart at No. 30 with "How Was I Supposed to Know," becoming the first AI-created artist to do so, igniting debate across the music industry over the role of artificial performers on traditional platforms.

The track, which jumped 28% in airplay between October 17 and 23, was played on 15 reporting radio stations nationwide.




Xania Monet is the digital brainchild of Mississippi poet Telisha Jones, who used the Suno platform to build the AI artist's voice and persona.




Romel Murphy, who manages Monet, credited the song's success to its relatability. "Her song is resonating with the masses. That was our simple formula," he said. "If you had a, let's say, traditional, artist and were a label and marketing executive, radio would be a piece of the promotion strategy."




Before hitting the airwaves, the song first gained momentum on TikTok, eventually surging to No. 1 on Billboard's R&B Digital Song Sales chart in September and peaking at No. 20 on the Hot R&B Songs chart.








That attention reportedly led to a lucrative deal with Hallwood Media, following what insiders described as a competitive bidding war.




Still, not everyone is applauding the AI artist's rise. SZA and Kehlani have both voiced concerns, with Kehlani publicly criticizing the deal on social media.




Their reactions reflect broader unease in the music world about the growing presence of artificial performers.




Murphy, however, is urging listeners to focus on the art itself. "Be it a radio programming director, be it a music fan, be it our peers, colleagues, artists," he said, "just listen to the songs. Listen to the lyrics. And then make your judgment."




Monet has already appeared on multiple Billboard charts, including Hot Gospel Songs with "Let Go, Let God." Her team is now pushing for a full radio campaign with hopes of climbing higher.




"Our goal is to continue to grow, continue to connect and hopefully get to No. 1," Murphy said.

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via: https://allhiphop.com/news/ai-artist-xania-monet-billboard-history/