What do Old Town Road, Say So, and Running Up That Hill have in common? They all blew up on TikTok before dominating the music charts. Once seen as just a little lip-sync app, TikTok now plays an important role in determining which songs become hits in the music industry.
If a song’s got a catchy hook, a danceable beat, and meme potential, TikTok videos will eat it up. Artists and labels are increasingly making songs specifically to go viral. In certain cases, unknown musicians blow up overnight. Just ask PinkPantheress, whose bedroom-produced tracks became worldwide sensations, or Ice Spice, who found fame through fan edits.
The app’s influence doesn’t just stop at discovery. TikTok trends now directly raise chart success on Spotify and the Billboard Hot 100, often before a full track is even released. Fans search for the “TikTok sound,” stream it on repeat, and unknowingly push it all the way to the top. TikTok has even changed their album marketing strategies, with artists giving teasers to engage audience’ reactions before launching their full campaigns.
This new model comes with downsides as well. While getting viral is powerful, it’s also short-lived. Many TikTok-born hits vanish just as quickly as they appear, and some artists struggle to maintain long-term relevancy. Critics argue that music is becoming more disposable, designed for algorithms rather than the artistry of the music itself.
Still, there is no denying TikTok's growing and unwavering grip on the industry. It has completely redefined how songs are discovered, how fame is achieved almost overnight, and how music is now created, marketed, and consumed in the digital age. Love it or hate it, TikTok is undeniably and rapidly reshaping the way we experience, share, and connect with music, one viral hit at a time.
Stephanie Pereira is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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