It’s a first, and certainly not one worth celebrating.
A song generated by artificial intelligence (AI) has topped the charts in the US for the first time, as an AI “artist” named Breaking Rust has claimed the Number 1 spot on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Sales chart.
The viral track, “Walk My Walk”, has over 3.5 million streams on Spotify – a platform where Breaking Rust is a verified artist. The platform, which has a history of promoting AI-generated music, has given this virtual performer a stage. Other songs by Breaking Rust, such as “Livin’ on Borrowed Time” and “Whiskey Don’t Talk Back”, have racked up more than 4 million and 1 million streams respectively. And if that last title made you cringe, you’re probably not alone.
Very little is known about Breaking Rust, aside from the fact that “he” has nearly 43,000 followers on Instagram, and a Linktree bio that reads, “Music for the fighters and the dreamers.” For anyone who dares to explore his Instagram page, they will find a series of generic AI-generated videos: stubbly cowboys – looking like rejected Ben Afflecks – walking on snow-covered train tracks, lifting weights, and holding their hats in the rain. In short, it’s the kind of stereotypical Outlaw Country fantasy that reeks of fragile masculinity and questionable taste.
Despite all of this, fans seem to be loving it, with many completely unfazed by the glaring lack of, well, soul in the “Soul Music for Us” genre.
One comment on a video reads: “Love your voice! Awesome songwriting! I want more,” while another says, “I don’t know if this is a real guy, but his songs are seriously some of my favourite in life.”
“I LIKE THE SONG, NO MATTER WHO CREATED IT!” shouts one enthusiastic comment on YouTube.
Some listeners appear unaware that Breaking Rust isn’t human, with fans even complimenting the lyricism and asking the “artist” to go on tour.