As AI-driven music personas find commercial success, they are also facing intense criticism from within the entertainment industry.
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Another artificial intelligence artist has reached the top of the music charts.
“Walk My Walk,” a song from Breaking Rust, a computer-generated blues-country singer, landed at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales Chart, according to The Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.
The chart lists the most-downloaded tracks in the U.S. “Walk My Walk” has just over 3.5 million streams on Spotify as of Nov. 13.
Other popular songs from Breaking Rust on the digital music platform include “Livin’ on Borrowed Time” and “Kicking Back At The Ground.” The songs are featured on a 5-track EP titled “Resilient,” which was released in mid-October.
The songs for Breaking Rust are credited to Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor, who is also linked to another AI-powered project, Defbeatsai, the Tennessean reported.
Breaking Rust has nearly 41,000 followers on Instagram, and the Linktree in the account’s bio touts “music for the fighters and the dreamers.”
AI music has received criticism from artists, producers
Breaking Rust is one of a few AI creations that have secured a spot on the music charts. R&B artist Xania Monet has built an online fanbase and had the song “How Was I Supposed to Know?” land on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay radio chart.
The creator behind Xania Monet, Telisha “Nikki” Jones, 31, of Mississippi, revealed her identity during a recent interview with CBS News.
“I wanted to reveal myself because I wanted people to know there was a real person behind Xania. That there’s real emotion and soul put into those lyrics,” she said.
AI-driven personas have faced intense criticism from the entertainment industry. This year, country singer Martina McBride testified in front of Congress asking for AI regulations. Garth Brooks, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson and Chris Janson have also been vocal about their concerns around the technology.
In the hip hop and R&B space, multiple artists including legendary producer Jermaine Dupri, singer Kehlani, and rapper Baby Tate have raised questions and expressed concerns about the new wave.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.
