Human lyricist Telisha Jones and her AI-created vocalist Xania Monet have signed a $3 million record deal with Hallwood Media, Billboard reports.
Jones released the album Unfolded on August 8, with its ballad How Was I Supposed to Know? drawing five million streams across YouTube and Spotify. The AI voice, generated using the Suno platform, has been compared to Beyoncé and Alicia Keys.
The deal highlights growing industry interest in AI music but comes with risks. Many fans appear unaware that Xania Monet is not human, and Suno is facing lawsuits alleging copyright infringement. The US Copyright Office has also limited protections for works where AI generates key expressive elements.
Hallwood Media, known for representing producers such as Murda Beatz and Sounwave, is betting that viral momentum can translate into commercial success. But AI-driven acts have struggled to maintain long-term audiences, raising questions about sustainability.
Critics also warn that the resemblance of Monet’s vocals to real artists could invite further legal disputes. While Beyoncé has not taken action, the similarities may test existing laws on likeness and voice rights.
For now, Jones insists she remains the creative force behind the lyrics, with AI serving as her performance outlet. Whether audiences — and the courts — accept that division of labor could determine the future of the project.
