Overview
- Xania Monet’s “How Was I Supposed to Know?” entered Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart at No. 30 for the week of Nov. 1 after earlier topping R&B Digital Song Sales and reaching Hot R&B Songs.
- Creator Telisha “Nikki” Jones says she writes the lyrics and uses Suno to generate vocals and tracks, describing AI as a tool and Xania as an extension of her in a CBS Mornings interview.
- The project has amassed more than 44 million U.S. streams with Billboard estimating over $52,000 in streaming revenue, and Jones reportedly signed a Hallwood Media recording deal valued around $3 million.
- Artists and executives have voiced objections, including Kehlani’s criticism, SZA’s concerns, and Jermaine Dupri’s comparison to the Milli Vanilli scandal, while some radio programmers say they prefer human performers.
- The case intersects with wider industry shifts as other AI acts reach Billboard charts, Suno faces lawsuits from major labels and the RIAA, and platforms like Spotify and Deezer step up AI-detection and enforcement.