Music fans are seething over an AI-generated “singer.”
Songs credited to an artist named Solomon Ray entered iTunes’ Top 100 Christian and gospel albums chart last week — but the hits weren’t created by a human.
Ray’s voice, lyrics and persona were completely crafted through artificial intelligence, according to the creator’s official Instagram account.
Ray is described in a Spotify profile as a “Mississippi-made soul singer carrying a Southern soul revival into the present.”
Some of Ray’s albums garnering millions of streams include “A Soulful Christmas” and “Faithful Soul.”
The creator behind Ray’s avatar isn’t hiding the fact that the rising musician isn’t a real person.
“Solomon Ray is no longer ‘the AI experiment.’ He is now the biggest new voice in gospel music – period,” Ray’s official Instagram account stated in an Instagram post last week while celebrating the music chart milestone.
On Tuesday, the Instagram page celebrated Ray’s placement on Billboard’s AI artist charts.
“This week, the blessings multiplied. Most Billboard placements for any AI artist. Higher peaks. More souls reached,” the post stated.
“And yes — the opposition grew too. But the grace of God outgrew it. Every obstacle only confirmed the assignment. Every critique only pushed the message further,” the statement continued.
Ray’s account claimed that the “future of gospel music has a new chapter.”
The artificially-spawned soul singer has inspired mixed reactions from music fans, with some people voicing their disapproval.
“What would Jesus think? Seriously, wtf?” one person wrote on X.
“You’re Not A Real Worship Artist It’s All AI Generated It’s A Reflection Of Your Soul And It Sickens Me,” a critic wrote on Instagram.
“Screwing over human artists so humans can pay to hear a robot’s feelings about God. No thanks,” another person said.
“This is sick and disgusting and deceptive and a mockery of Jesus and his Gospel, which has truth and integrity, and even real artistry. @solomonraysoul,” someone added.
Others were all for the AI-generated artistry and praised Ray’s music as new and exciting.
“I love the album. Why can’t we use AI to create music?” one person questioned. “But we can use the internet to spread the Word? 😂. The thing is that AI music is even better than ‘the present artists.’”
“Really not sure how I feel about AI, but the song is beautiful!” a second fan wrote.
Ray isn’t the only AI artist to hit streaming services by storm. The AI-generated R&B singer Xania Monet debuted on several Billboard charts last month.
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