The song “Walk My Walk” by the AI-generated country group Breaking Rust has made history by reaching the top of the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart. This marks the first time an AI-created song has achieved this milestone in the United States. The raspy vocals of the song are not from a human artist, but rather a composition produced entirely by artificial intelligence.
The success of “Walk My Walk” raises critical questions regarding the implications of AI in the music industry. According to Billboard, AI music is “no longer a fantasy or niche curiosity” but is beginning to have tangible effects on music charts. The song has garnered over two million listeners on Spotify, with several tracks exceeding one million streams. The composer and lyricist attributed to Breaking Rust is listed as Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor, although reports by the San Francisco Chronicle suggest that this name may be linked solely to AI music projects and could be fictional.
A growing number of AI-generated artists are gaining traction in the music scene. Another AI musician, Cain Walker, occupies the third, ninth, and eleventh positions on the same chart. Meanwhile, the indie band Velvet Sundown, also created using AI technology, has seen several songs surpass one million streams over the summer. As technology advances, the distinction between AI-generated music and that of human creators is becoming increasingly blurred, with some reports indicating that much of this music is “nearly indistinguishable from the real thing,” as noted by Whiskey Riff.
A report from Deezer reveals that the platform receives over 50,000 fully AI-generated tracks each day. This influx of content raises concerns about the future of traditional music artists. Currently, at least six AI or AI-assisted artists have made appearances on various Billboard rankings, and this number may be understated due to the difficulty in identifying the extent of AI involvement in new music.
While “Walk My Walk” reached the top of the Country Digital Song Sales chart, it has not made a significant impact on daily streaming charts on platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music. This discrepancy is attributed to a decline in digital song purchases, where only a few thousand sales can propel a song to number one. Nonetheless, the sheer volume of AI music production suggests that its popularity may continue to rise.
Critics argue that AI-generated music creates more noise in the industry, which could overshadow the work of traditional artists. Josh Antonuccio, director of Ohio University’s School of Media Arts and Studies, expressed concerns to Newsweek about the impact on human artists. He stated, “The only thing that will continue to distinguish human artists is those that have remarkable music, a compelling perspective and a story that draws fans to them.”
As AI technology evolves and permeates the music landscape, the ramifications for artists and the authenticity of music itself remain to be seen. The combination of increasing AI-generated content and a community eager to share strategies for its promotion presents a unique challenge to the music industry, prompting a reevaluation of what constitutes art in the digital age.
