Baby Tate, Muni Long Slam AI Artist

The lines between human creativity and artificial intelligence are blurring, and some artists are not happy about it. Following the revelation that Telisha “Nikki” Jones is the person behind the viral AI-generated R&B artist Xania Monet, prominent musicians like Baby Tate, Muni Long, and K. Michelle are speaking out, questioning the authenticity and artistic merit of AI-generated music.

Concerns Over AI’s Role in Music

Baby Tate, an Atlanta artist and daughter of Dionne Farris, took to Instagram to voice her strong opinions. In a video posted on Thursday (Nov. 6), she directly addressed Jones, criticizing the process of using AI to create entire songs. “At the very least, you couldn’t have somebody make the beat? You couldn’t have somebody produce something for you?” Tate questioned, emphasizing her disbelief that simply typing prompts constitutes creative work.

She continued, “You just typing in a prompt and you letting AI make the whole f–kin song for you? Oh word, but you’re doing all the work, right? You’re not doing any work!” Tate believes this approach is not only uncreative but also potentially harmful to the music industry and the artistic environment.

Industry Double Standards?

Muni Long echoed these sentiments in the comments of Baby Tate’s post, suggesting that such AI-generated music might not be accepted in other genres. “It wouldn’t be allowed to happen in country or pop,” she wrote. Muni also pointed out that Xania Monet’s Apple Music bio lists influences like herself, K. Michelle, and Keyshia Cole, raising questions about appropriation.

K. Michelle expressed her frustration on Instagram Stories, revealing that she’s considering legal action. “AI people using my tones of my voice and all that, now I gotta go find a lawyer,” she stated, highlighting the potential for AI to infringe on artists’ vocal identities.

Xania Monet’s Defense

The controversy gained further traction after Jones’ interview with CBS’s Gayle King. When King challenged the notion of Xania Monet being a real person and suggested that Jones’ methods might alarm other artists, Jones defended her process. “I wouldn’t call it a shortcut because I still put in the work,” she insisted.

Jones views AI as a new tool and instrument for the modern era. “Anytime something new comes about and challenges the norm and challenges what we’re used to, you’re gonna get strong reaction behind it. I just feel like AI is the new era that we’re in and I look at it like a tool, an instrument and utilize it,” she explained.

The Future of Music Creation

This debate highlights a significant tension in the music industry: how to embrace technological advancements without devaluing human artistry. While AI offers new possibilities, artists like Baby Tate and Muni Long are pushing for clarity on what constitutes genuine creativity in this evolving landscape.