Xania Monet’s manager just signed a multi-million-dollar deal with a $1 billion music company, here’s why...

Key Highlights:

• Romel Murphy’s dai + drm label partners with $1 billion-valued Create Music Group to sign AI and traditional artists
• Songwriters retain equity in both master recordings and publishing under the new model
• Xania Monet became the first AI-powered artist to chart on Billboard’s airplay charts in November 2024

AI Artist Manager Secures Major Distribution Partnership

Create Music Group is betting on the “puppet master” economy. The $1 billion distributor announced a multi-million-dollar joint venture with dai + drm (pronounced “daydream”), a hybrid label founded by Romel Murphy. Murphy manages Xania Monet, the AI artist behind a record deal worth $3 million with Hallwood Media.

The deal positions songwriters as “meta-artists” who own AI-fronted acts rather than pitch songs to traditional performers. Developing a human pop star costs $500,000 to $2 million before they break. An AI artist costs a Suno AI platform subscription and marketing spend.

Songwriters Keep Masters And Publishing Rights

dai + drm spans label services, management, consulting, and marketing. Artists and songwriters working with the company retain equity and monetize across both master recordings and publishing.

“At every major shift in music, songwriters are often left out of the conversation,” said Murphy. “My goal is to make sure songwriters are at the forefront of AI in music, seated at the table, not getting crumbs, while maintaining ownership and long-term equity in their work.”

Create Music Group CEO Jonathan Strauss called Murphy “an extremely bright entrepreneur.” The label roster includes AI acts Solomon Ray and Nova Sole alongside traditional artists Jenneske, Renee Harmoni, and IME Casino.

Vertical Integration Raises Questions For Creators

This deal signals AI music moving from novelty to securitized asset class. Hallwood Media’s AI roster , shaped by Danny Jacobson, invested in Suno and signed Xania Monet. The tech platform, investor, and distribution pipeline are aligning.

For you as a songwriter or producer, the value proposition shifted. Your competition now includes entities releasing daily without burnout. But the opportunity exists to build artists you own 100%. Understanding music royalties and AI ownership structures is now essential. With major labels licensing deals normalizing AI platforms and AI music startup funding reaching record levels, the hybrid artist model is here.”