AT A GLANCE
- AI-generated artist Xania Monet sparked backlash after being revealed as a creation of Telisha “Nikki” Jones.
- Baby Tate, Muni Long, and K. Michelle slammed Jones for “laziness” and “voice theft.”
- The debate reignites concerns over AI’s role in music and intellectual property.
- Jones defended her process on CBS Mornings, calling AI “a tool, an instrument.”
AI Controversy in R&B: Baby Tate, Muni Long, and K. Michelle Call Out Xania Monet Over ‘Artificial Creativity’
Telisha “Nikki” Jones, who recently revealed herself as the creator behind viral R&B persona Xania Monet, is facing a storm of criticism from real-life artists who say her AI-driven project crosses creative and ethical lines.
In an interview with Gayle King on CBS This Morning, Jones said she views Xania as “an extension” of herself — even though Monet’s voice is entirely computer-generated through Suno, an AI music app co-signed by major producers like Timbaland.
After Jones appeared on CBS Mornings to explain how she uses artificial intelligence to generate Monet’s vocals, visuals, and songs, several R&B musicians—including Baby Tate, Muni Long, and K. Michelle—accused her of cheapening artistry and exploiting real singers’ voices.
“I look at her like a real person,” Jones said. “Whether it was stuff I went through, a close family member, or a close friend, I wrote about it.”
Monet’s success earned her a $3 million record deal with Hallwood Media, drawing both admiration and outrage. Critics, including R&B stars Kehlani and SZA, accused the industry of undermining real artistry.
In an Instagram video posted Nov. 6, Baby Tate, daughter of singer Dionne Farris, didn’t hold back.
“First of all, girl, what the f–k?” Tate said. “At the very least, you couldn’t have somebody make the beat? You just typing in a prompt and you letting AI make the whole f–kin song for you? You’re not doing any work!”
Tate’s rant resonated widely with fans and fellow artists who argue that AI-generated music devalues human creativity. “All you doing is typing?! Oh, my god!” she added.
Muni Long jumped into the conversation, commenting, “It wouldn’t be allowed to happen in country or pop,” while noting that Xania Monet’s Apple Music bio lists her sound as being “in the vein” of Muni, K. Michelle, and Keyshia Cole.
K. Michelle later took to her Instagram Stories, hinting at potential legal action. “AI people using my tones of my voice and all that, now I gotta go find a lawyer,” she said. “All types of stuff going on.”
During Jones CBS Mornings appearance with Gayle King on Nov. 5, Jones insisted her work still requires effort and vision. “I wouldn’t call it a shortcut because I still put in the work,” she said. “AI is the new era that we’re in. I look at it like a tool, an instrument, and utilize it.”
King pushed back, arguing that Jones couldn’t claim the same creative ownership as traditional artists.
The uproar surrounding Xania Monet underscores a larger industry dilemma, whether AI’s role in art is innovation or imitation.
