Reporting the Truth.
Restoring the Church

By Angela Peacock

 Singer-songwriter Forrest Frank performs at a concert in San Diego in September 2024; pictured with AI-generated singer Solomon Ray, inset. (TRR Graphic/Instagram)

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 from 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 I’m 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 the Holy Spirit – also yes. Regardless – I’m believing God will be magnified regardless.”

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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