Months after up-and-coming Christian recording artists appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 list, a new competitor emerged on the Christian music charts: an AI-generated singer.
The current number one and two tracks for Christian music on iTunes is an artist named Solomon Ray, an AI-generated voice and persona created by Christopher Jermaine Townsend, according to a report in TheGrio. A conservative rap artist affiliated with Turning Point USA, Townsend goes by the moniker Topher for his own music.
Dove Award-winning CCM artist Forrest Frank responded via Instagram to the AI persona topping recent worship singles by Brandon Lake and Elevation. “It’s important that we pause a little bit and ask the questions like, ‘Is this something that we want?'” stated Frank.
He added: “At minimum, AI does not have the Holy Spirit inside of it. So I think that’s really weird to be opening up your spirit to something that has no spirit.”
In response, Townsend defended the use of AI tools in creating the songs by Solomon Ray. “It’s really more of a preference,” said Townsend. “You cannot tell somebody’s feelings and impact from music, if it’s authentic or fake/fraudulent. Who am I to say what God will or won’t use to get the message His people need to them? I’m just here being an instrument.”
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Townsend, who called Frank’s response “gatekeeping rather than uplifting,” noted that other AI-generated artists were ranked at 7 and 8 on the same iTunes Christian chart.
For his part, Frank said he wants to encourage others to be mindful of what they listen to.
“So what are we doing about this?” asked Frank. “Are we rejecting this? Are we championing this? I personally will not be listening to this. I already don’t listen to secular music, and I’m sure not going to be listening to AI.”
While his comment section was filled with fans who agreed, some challenged the popular CCM artist. “If a Spirit-filled Christian used the AI to make the song though (essentially “curating” the song— like picking which lyrics to use or not use) would that change things?” asked one commenter.
Fellow CCM artist Colton Dixon shared his thoughts in the comment section of Frank’s post. “I’m honestly still wrestling with the whole AI music thing. Can it be a tool to speed up a rather long, tedious process – yes. But can it also be used as a crutch instead of finding inspiration and direction from Holy Spirit – also yes. Regardless – I’m believing God will be magnified regardless.”
Hear Solomon Ray, the AI voice below.
Josh Shepherd contributed to this article, a version of which originally appeared at CHVN Radio.
Journalist Angela Peacock is a news writer and on-air host at CHVN in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
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7 Responses
I think this says alot about the quality of current christian music that it can be done so successful with AI.
Look into copyright status of AI music and how generative AI engines violate copyright by training on the works of published artists. Get comment from ASCAP. This is the ethical issue underlying the article that needs more attention from a Christian moral perspective.
This is hypocrisy by the Christian artists. Dome of the top singers will take an old well-loved hymn that is centuries old and add a few lines at the beginning or something in the refrain and then copyright the entire thing. Is this not stealing?
Now no one can sing it without paying these so-called artists a fee. This is an outrage.
Why not make an outcry over that?
In the US works become public domain, 70 years after an artists death. Most hymns are public domain. For music this covers using the lyrics and melody.
An artist can copyright a particular arrangement, by adding lyrics or changing the music, but the underlying hymn is still public use. This protects from someone stealing revenue on say YouTube music.
It’s more often the big labels and automatic systems that try to improperly claim copyright protection. It can be a pain for churches, but there are protections and rights in place for religious purposes.
I personally dont like it when an artist seems to get credit for a hymn, but I attribute that more to the listener.
Most CCM is self-indulgent and self-focussed and rarely glorifies God. I never listen to it, so this won’t affect me. However, those who comment saying that God blessed them through the music probably need to stop and reflect.
PS Yes – AI should be regulated to stop it leeching off artists. Ted Cruz should be ashamed of himself for trying to block this (another thing to add to the list).
Do we really want HAL 9000 to write songs for us?
I have written about 8 scripture based songs with AI. I created the lyrics myself usually based on one or more passages, more specifically the psalms and then worked on how i wanted them to sound. I have had great feedback from friends and coworkers. The songs are better and more uplifting than most of the current christian music, which is pretty weak and entertainment driven. I created these songs to worship and a fun way to learn the scriptures. If people in Christian music industry would do that – I would like it – but the lyrics get weaker and weaker.