How to Start AI Music With AI, Step by Step
Built only from the steps described in 4 sourced AI Music cases. Each step is attributed to the case it comes from; we do not add steps of our own.
How they started
Post on Hacker News
His first internet money came a week after an early Hacker News post.
From Neural Frames (Nicolai Klemke), step 1. $100K/mo, Self-Reported
Start from your own hobby
He picked a problem he had as a guitarist and confirmed others had it in comment sections.
From ToneAdapt (Kyan), step 1. $25K a month, Self-Reported
Create with Suno
Tracks start in Suno.
From Nik McFly, step 1. $65,000 received, Self-Reported
Write lyrics
Jones writes from her own poetry.
From Telisha "Nikki" Jones (Xania Monet), step 1. More than $52,000 (Billboard estimate), Partially Verified
What they did next
Niche down
He focused on musicians as a clear audience.
From Neural Frames (Nicolai Klemke), step 2. $100K/mo, Self-Reported
Add enterprise customers
He describes landing larger customers as it grew.
From Neural Frames (Nicolai Klemke), step 3. $100K/mo, Self-Reported
Vibe code the first version
He built the whole project with Cursor in about a week.
From ToneAdapt (Kyan), step 2. $25K a month, Self-Reported
Post every day with your face on it
He posted three times a day across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Facebook.
From ToneAdapt (Kyan), step 3. $25K a month, Self-Reported
Finish the release
Production, mixing and metadata.
From Nik McFly, step 2. $65,000 received, Self-Reported
Release at volume
80+ releases through his label.
From Nik McFly, step 3. $65,000 received, Self-Reported
Generate with Suno
Suno produces the tracks and the Xania Monet voice.
From Telisha "Nikki" Jones (Xania Monet), step 2. More than $52,000 (Billboard estimate), Partially Verified
Release and chart
Streams grew fast enough to draw label interest.
From Telisha "Nikki" Jones (Xania Monet), step 3. More than $52,000 (Billboard estimate), Partially Verified
AI Music: common questions
How much do people make with AI Music and AI?
Across the 2 of our 4 sourced cases that report a monthly figure, amounts range from $25,000 to $100,000 a month, with a median of $100,000. These are what each source reports, not typical results.
How much does it cost to start?
None of these cases disclose a startup cost. 0 of 4 cases disclose a startup cost.
How long until the first dollar?
Under five months from a first app to $25K a month, in the one case that says. This comes from what our cases report.
Which AI tools do these cases use most?
Cursor (2 cases), Suno (2 cases), ChatGPT (1 case), Claude (1 case), OpenAI API (1 case). Only tools named in the sources are counted.
How reliable are these income figures?
0 of 4 cases are independently documented, meaning a news outlet says it reviewed records. 3 are self-reported. Every case links its source.
What are the main risks?
Copyright lawsuits against AI music tools are ongoing. Streaming platforms can change rules for AI-made tracks. Some figures are estimates rather than reported royalties.
How many of these cases say when they made their first dollar?
1 of 4 cases state a time to first revenue. For example: ToneAdapt (Kyan): "Under five months from his first app to $25K a month, by his account". The rest do not say, so treat any single timeline as one example, not a norm.
What went wrong or held these cases back?
4 of 4 cases list limitations or risks drawn from their sources. Examples: Neural Frames (Nicolai Klemke): Self-reported; ToneAdapt (Kyan): The figures are self-reported and were not independently checked; Nik McFly: The figure is self-reported and was not independently checked. Each case page lists them in full.
Do I have to report this income to the IRS if I never get a 1099-K?
Yes. The IRS says that whether or not you receive a Form 1099-K, you must report all income from selling goods or services on your tax return. Payment apps and online marketplaces must send a 1099-K when payments for goods or services total over $20,000 in more than 200 transactions, but they may send one for lower amounts. Source: IRS, "Understanding your Form 1099-K" (irs.gov/businesses/understanding-your-form-1099-k), checked 2026-10-20. General information, not tax advice.
Do I owe self-employment tax on side hustle income in the US?
According to the IRS, you must pay self-employment tax and file Schedule SE if your net earnings from self-employment were $400 or more. The rate is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security and 2.9% Medicare), and you may need to pay estimated taxes quarterly. Source: IRS, "Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes)" (irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employment-tax-social-security-and-medicare-taxes), checked 2026-10-20. General information, not tax advice.