The country music world is reeling after Billboard announced that the number one spot on its Country Digital Song Sales chart has been claimed by a track created not by a human artist, but by artificial intelligence.
Artists React to the 'Slap in the Face'
Multiplatinum recording artist Breland, known for collaborations with superstars like Keith Urban and Shania Twain, did not hold back his frustration. Speaking to the Daily Mail on Wednesday, the 30-year-old singer, who has been in the music industry since he was 14, described the news as a profound insult.
"It feels like a slap in the face as an actual creative who has sacrificed a lot to do this," Breland stated. He expressed his dismay at seeing "'artists' that aren't even real people that don't have thoughts, experiences, human emotions" receiving recognition that should belong to human musicians.
The Mysterious Rise of Breaking Rust
The controversial track, Walk My Walk by the act Breaking Rust, shot to the top of the chart seemingly from obscurity. The project is fronted by an AI-generated image of a bearded man in a cowboy hat and is described on social media as 'outlaw country soul'.
An Instagram account for the mysterious artist only began posting in October. The songwriter linked to the project is listed as an elusive figure named Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor, about whom little is known online. Taylor is also connected to another AI-generated country act called Defbeatsai.
Breaking Rust's Resilient EP, released in October, has already garnered significant attention. Another track from the EP, Livin' On Borrowed Time, has even more Spotify streams than the chart-topping Walk My Walk. The project has rapidly built a substantial online following, boasting more than 183,000 followers on TikTok and over 30,000 on Instagram.
Industry Concerns and the Future of Music
Breland voiced his suspicion about the song's sudden chart success, noting his unfamiliarity with the artist despite his deep involvement in the genre. "I have not really seen or heard anyone talking about this artist... I found this to be interesting," he said.
While he clarified he had no direct evidence of foul play, he highlighted a cutthroat industry structure that prioritises profit over the well-being of human artists. He shared his own story of struggle, having worked multiple jobs, including giving voice lessons and writing cheap songs for independent artists, to build his career.
"If I was in the beginning of my career and had to go against these unhuman algorithms... it would definitely be daunting," he admitted.
His concerns extend to radio play and financial investment, questioning whether labels will divert funds from real artists to AI projects and if radio stations will follow Billboard's lead.
Breland is not alone in his apprehension. Rapper Ice Cube has previously labelled AI as "demonic" and expressed fears about the loss of authentic artistry. On social media platform X, country music fans have echoed this sentiment, with one calling the situation "fraud".
In a powerful analogy, Breland concluded, "AI is like fire. It can be used as a candle or a bonfire or it can be used to start a forest fire or burn a building down. It's really about how you use it. I think we all need to use AI responsibly."
Neither Billboard nor Breaking Rust has responded to the growing criticism.
