Urban radio is once again at a crossroads—one that challenges how we define creativity, authenticity and soul. The latest disruptor? A soft-spoken, sultry R&B artist named Xania Monet—who, in a twist straight out of a science-fiction prophecy, does not exist in the traditional sense.
Xania Monet is the creation of Telisha “Nikki” Jones. A Mississippi-based poet and designer who has used her words and technology to shape an entirely new kind of artist. Working through the generative music platform Suno. Jones fed her poetry into an AI system to create what would become Xania Monet’s first recordings. The results have been nothing short of historic.
Her single “How Was I Supposed to Know?” made its way to the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart, debuting at No. 30, with airplay on roughly 15 Urban AC stations nationwide. Mediabase building charts list the song among the top 30 in the format—an astonishing feat for a performer who technically does not have a pulse.
But make no mistake: there is plenty of heart in this story.
Jones is not an AI scientist looking to replace artists. She is a Black woman creative using every available tool to amplify her voice. Her words and her ownership in a space that has historically underpaid and under-recognized Black women innovators. Her work challenges the narrative that technology must erase humanity. Instead, she is using it to extend hers.
For those of us in Black media. This is a moment to pause and ask: What does this mean for us?
At Mean Ole Lion Media, we have long championed storytelling that uplifts the authentic voices of the culture—voices that speak from experience, struggle, humor and soul. Xania Monet’s rise does not silence those voices; it expands the conversation about what voice even means in 2025.
The creation of Xania Monet has sparked sharp debate. Artists such as Kehlani have publicly questioned whether an AI artist should be celebrated for achievements on charts built for living performers. That criticism is valid. The industry’s obsession with technology often risks sidelining the real people behind the innovation. But in this case, there is a real person. A poet whose words, vision and emotional resonance are the true drivers of the art.
What Xania Monet represents is not a soulless machine, but a new form of authorship. It is Black woman creativity meeting artificial intelligence, and together they are forcing a conversation about equity, control and imagination in the digital era.
It is also a reminder that Black innovation has always led culture forward. From the first vinyl scratches of hip-hop DJs to the digital mastery of today’s beat producers, we have consistently turned tools of limitation into platforms of liberation. Jones stands firmly in that lineage, using code and poetry to reimagine what R&B can sound like when the barriers between flesh and firmware dissolve.
As Xania Monet’s star rises, she will undoubtedly spark copycats, criticism and conversations about the soul of music. But the truth is simple: technology does not kill culture; it reflects who wields it. When the hands on the keyboard are guided by lived experience and purpose, even algorithms can sing the blues.
At Mean Ole Lion Media, we see this as the dawn of a new chapter—where storytelling, sound and technology merge to amplify the voices that matter most. Whether made by microphone or machine, the mission remains the same: to tell our stories, in our language, with our power.
So full disclosure: intentionally, this whole article was written by AI. As I was researching the subject of this article, Chat GPT gave me a perspective on it from the Mean Ole Lion—which is my podcast network. Since I am the Mean Ole Lion, it was very interesting to hear my perspective from AI. That is an article in itself that I’ll discuss next week.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this as I am preparing part 2 for next week. Reach me via email or hit me up on LinkedIn.
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Ken Johnson is an Urban/Hip-Hop columnist for Barrett Media. Born and raised in Washington DC, his career experiences include serving as VP of Urban formats for Cumulus Media, holding the Director of Urban Programming post at ABC Radio Networks, and programming stations in Birmingham, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City. He has also managed affiliate relations for the Nick Cannon show, and worked as the Executive Producer of The Hughley Truth Podcast hosted by comedian DL Hughley. Ken currently runs Mean Ole Lion Media, a content creation company and podcast network. He can be reached by email at ken@kenjohnsonmedia.com.
