Breaking Rust

Last updated
Breaking Rust
Breaking Rust 2.png
An AI-generated image used to represent the artist [1]
Background information
Genres Country
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
InstrumentVocals
Years active2025–present
"Walk My Walk" by Breaking Rust

Breaking Rust is an AI-generated country music artist project created in 2025 by songwriter Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor. [2] [3] The act gained prominence with the release of the Resilient EP in October 2025, featuring singles such as "Walk My Walk" and "Livin' on Borrowed Time". [4] "Walk My Walk" topped the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart, the first AI-generated country song to do so. [5] Breaking Rust has amassed over 35,000 followers on Instagram, where the character is presented with a cowboy persona. [3] [4]

Contents

Background and creation

Breaking Rust was developed using generative artificial intelligence tools to produce vocals, instrumentation, and lyrics, with no human performers involved. [2] [3] The project is credited to Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor, an obscure figure with limited online presence prior to the act's launch. [4] [6] Taylor previously created music under the alias Defbeatsai, focusing on explicit, AI-generated country tracks in the style of Wheeler Walker Jr. [3]

The act's persona is represented through AI-generated imagery, depicting a rugged cowboy in dystopian settings. [4] No registrations for Breaking Rust or Taylor appear in performing rights organizations BMI and ASCAP. [3]

Music and discography

The act's debut release, the Resilient EP, was issued in October 2025 and includes eight tracks available on platforms Spotify and Apple Music. [4] [7] Notable singles include:

Chart performance

Breaking Rust debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard Emerging Artists chart dated November 1, 2025, driven by "Walk My Walk" and "Livin' on Borrowed Time". [5] "Walk My Walk" reached No. 1 on the Country Digital Song Sales chart with approximately 3,000 units sold. [3] [2]

Billboard has stated that in recent months, at least six AI artists have made it into Billboard rankings. [5] [2]

Reception

Aaron Ryan of Whiskey Riff noted the track's appeal, describing it as "groovy" and reminiscent of classic country, yet expressed concern over its synthetic origins. [8] In a separate NPR interview, Ryan argued that AI erodes the genre's emphasis on authenticity, drawing parallels to the backlash against Randy Travis's AI-assisted vocal release in 2024. [2] Public discourse on social media has amplified the controversy, with fans unaware of the AI aspect until media coverage. [4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Aidin Vaziri (12 November 2025), "AI country singer Breaking Rust tops Billboard with 'Walk My Walk'", San Francisco Chronicle
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Parton, Chris (November 10, 2025). "Breaking Rust is a hot new country act on the Billboard charts. It's powered by AI". NPR. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rolli, Brian (November 7, 2025). "Who Is Breaking Rust? Country's Top Digital Song This Week Is AI". Taste of Country. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bennett, Emma (November 10, 2025). "Who the Heck is Breaking Rust? The AI-Generated Artist Topping the Spotify and Billboard Charts with 'Walk My Walk'". Holler. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Willman, Chris (November 3, 2025). "How Many AI Artists Have Debuted on Billboard's Charts?". Billboard. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  6. ↑ O'Connell, Michael (November 11, 2025). "AI country singer Breaking Rust tops Billboard with 'Walk My Walk'". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Breaking Rust". Spotify. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  8. ↑ Parton, Chris (November 8, 2025). "An AI-Generated Country Song Is Topping A Billboard Chart, And That Should Infuriate Us All". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
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