AI ascends the Charts: How Artificial Intelligence is Reshaping the Music Industry
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AI music is no longer a fantasy or niche curiosity among internet sleuths – it’s here, and it’s already beginning to have an impact on Billboard’s charts.
In just the past few months, at least six AI or AI-assisted artists have debuted on various Billboard rankings. That figure could be higher, as it’s become increasingly challenging to tell who or what is powered by AI – and to what extent. Many of these charting projects, whose music spans every genre from gospel to rock to country, also arrive with anonymous or mysterious origins.
Determining whether a track is AI-generated isn’t always straightforward. For some artists, their digital storefront pages explicitly state their music was created with the help of artificial intelligence.Others have been identified through cross-referencing with tools like Deezer’s AI detection system, which flags AI-generated content on its platform.
one of the most prominent examples of this emerging trend is xania Monet, an artist represented by an animated avatar. Created by Mississippi-based songwriter Telisha “Nikki” Jones, Monet’s music is brought to life using the AI platform Suno, alongside contributions from other human collaborators. Monet first gained attention in September, debuting on multiple Billboard charts with “let Go, let Go” reaching No. 3 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart (dated Oct.25) and “How Was I Supposed to Know?” peaking at No. 20 on the Hot R&B Songs chart.
The rapid ascent of Xania Monet has attracted notable industry interest. A bidding war ensued for the artist’s signature, with offers reaching $3 million. Ultimately, Hallwood Media, led by former interscope executive Neil Jacobson, secured a multimillion-dollar deal with Monet.
Monet has since broken new ground, becoming the first known AI artist to achieve enough radio airplay to land on a Billboard radio chart. She debuted at No. 30 on the Adult R&B Airplay chart dated Nov. 11, and also topped the R&B Digital Song Sales chart with “How Was I Supposed to Know?” on Sept. 20, while also reaching No. 18 on the Emerging Artists chart.
The frequency of AI artist debuts is accelerating, with at least one new AI artist appearing on Billboard’s charts for the past five consecutive weeks.Below is a recap of the AI artists who’ve appeared on Billboard’s charts, in order of their debuts.
ChildPets Galore
debuted at No. 14 on Christian Digital Song Sales (dated Aug. 16) with “The Only Thing I Can Take to Heaven,” fueled by 1,000 downloads sold that week, according to Luminate. To date, the artist’s catalogue has earned 1.2 million official U.S. streams, according to Luminate.
Xania Monet
Created by Jones using Suno, Monet’s blend of gospel and R&B has positioned her as a leading figure in the AI music landscape. Jones personally writes approximately 90% of Monet’s lyrics, with the remaining content inspired by stories from her friends and community. Monet has charted on Hot Gospel Songs, Hot R&B Songs, Adult R&B Airplay, Emerging artists, and R&B Digital Song sales.
Cain Walker
(Updated as of the Nov. 8, 2025-dated charts)
The AI-assisted country artist, credited to Dallas Little, debuted at No. 41 on the Nov. 8-dated Emerging Artists chart thanks to “don’t Tread on Me.” The song sold 1,000 downloads in the tracking week, helping it debut at No. 7 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart.
The increasing presence of AI-generated music on the Billboard charts signals a essential shift in the music industry, raising questions about authorship, creativity, and the future of artistic expression.
