AI R&B artist Xania Monet signs multimillion-dollar deal after chart surge

AI-driven R&B act Xania Monet — the creation of poet and designer Telisha “Nikki” Jones of Olive Branch, Miss. — has sparked a bidding war and signed a multimillion-dollar agreement with Hallwood Media, led by former Interscope executive Neil Jacobson. Labels linked to the majors hesitated because Monet’s music uses Suno, which faces a copyright suit from major record companies, yet one major still bid as offers climbed to $3 million. Monet debuted at No. 25 on Emerging Artists and No. 21 on Hot Gospel Songs with Let Go, Let God. How Was I Supposed to Know hit No. 1 on R&B Digital Song Sales. Her catalog totals 9.8 million U.S. streams, 5.4 million last week, per Luminate.