Artists You May Not Know Are AI
- Cheyenne Johnson
- 52 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Photo Credits: Billboard
As heated discussions ramp up over the use of AI in creative environments, there has been an alarming number of generated personas gaining traction in the music industry. Many are starting to infiltrate streaming platforms and Billboard charts, finding commercial success and radio play despite being completely fictional. While many condemn the use of AI over human creation, there are plenty of people out there embracing it and producing generated artist personas through platforms like Suno AI. Some might find it equal parts impressive and creepy what AI and technology can do, but what is most alarming is how difficult it is becoming for consumers to tell what is real and what is generated. To share awareness of some AI artists gaining traction, here's a list of "Artists You May Not Know Are AI."
Xania Monet
Part of many controversial conversations, Xania Monet is a gospel/R&B act created by Telisha "Nikki" Jones using the Suno AI platform. Monet has become the first AI-generated artist to debut on a Billboard radio chart and has signed a $3 million record deal with Hallwood Media. Jones' success with the AI persona has attracted criticism and controversy as artists like Kehlani condemn the use of AI in creative spaces. While Jones may be behind the lyrics of this project, Xania Monet is still the product of AI generated vocals and instrumentals, reminding us of the ethical dilemmas AI and technological advancements have been causing in fields where human creation is key.
Eddie Dalton
Another AI-generated artist making waves in the music industry is Eddie Dalton. This act is a mix of blues and soul created by Dallas Ray Little, a South Carolina-based content creator who uses AI to produce Eddie Dalton's vocals, instrumentals, and visuals. Despite Dalton being a completely imagined persona, he has still amassed quite the following and has landed several tracks in the iTunes Top 10. Dalton remains controversial in the discussion of the use of AI in the music industry, especially since many of his listeners did not know he is completely generative AI.
The Velvet Sundown
The Velvet Sundown is an indie-rock project that shocked fans when it was revealed they are an AI-generated band guided by human creative direction. They first emerged in 2025, causing controversy and backlash when the creators admitted everything about the band is AI-generated. Many real musicians and organizations feel that acts like The Velvet Sundown are stealing music already created and dressing themselves up as competition.
Breaking Rust
Another AI-generated project that started gaining traction in 2025 is Breaking Rust. The country music project was created by Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor, using AI to produce visuals, instrumentals, vocals, and lyrics with no human contribution involved. Breaking Rust is another AI act that has broken onto the Billboard charts, debuting at no. 9 on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart.
Enlly Blue
Debuting in 2025, Enlly Blue is an AI-generated musician created by Vietnamese producer and songwriter Thong Viet Thong. He handles all the songwriting, production, and engineering using generative AI for vocals and lyrics. Enlly Blue has become a hit on the Billboard and streaming charts, debuting at No. 44 on the Emerging Artists chart and has amassed over 5.3 million streams with its catalog.
What do you think about AI being used to create artists and music? Have you listened to any of the AI-generated artists mentioned in this list? Let us know on our socials!
Written By Cheyenne Johnson
*copyright not intended. Fair use act, section 107.
