Short-form video app TikTok's impact on the music scene: Reviving genres and setting new trends within the music industry
==========================================================
TikTok, the popular short-form video app, has significantly transformed the music industry by revolutionizing music discovery, enabling rapid creation of viral hits, and actively shaping music trends and genres.
Music Discovery
TikTok functions as a powerful social and algorithm-driven music discovery platform. With approximately 75% of TikTok users discovering new artists on the app, the platform’s "For You" page curates personalized content, rapidly introducing users to both emerging and legacy tracks. This algorithmic and participatory model compresses the timeline from discovery to widespread popularity, sometimes unfolding overnight.
The integration of TikTok’s "Add to Music App" feature, now linked with major streaming services like YouTube Music, further bridges discovery on TikTok to sustained music consumption, making it easier for users to save and stream songs they find on the platform.
Viral Hits
TikTok's viral trends—such as dances, memes, and challenges—create multiplier effects that can massively boost a song’s streaming numbers. Viral tracks often experience an immediate 11% spike in on-demand streaming within days and sustained 11% weekly growth on streaming platforms, far outpacing artists outside TikTok's ecosystem.
Many No. 1 Billboard hits in recent years originated as TikTok viral moments, demonstrating the platform’s sway on chart performance.
Shaping Music Trends and Genres
TikTok does not just amplify hits but also influences what styles and genres become popular. The app promotes niche or emerging genres by spotlighting lesser-known artists who gain massive exposure through viral content. Trends like the "Muah Challenge" or "Chocolate and Caramel" vibe show how TikTok challenges and memes help crystallize new sounds and cultural moments around specific tracks or styles.
Moreover, TikTok-driven nostalgia revives older hits, accelerating music lifecycle dynamics—such as Fleetwood Mac’s "Dreams" achieving a huge resurgence after going viral on TikTok.
Empowering Artists
TikTok offers brands new opportunities to collaborate with artists and leverage music in marketing campaigns. The app's short-form nature has led some artists to release parts of a song to gauge interest before a full release.
Furthermore, TikTok's algorithm prioritizes content based on user engagement, giving lesser-known artists a chance to break through. TikTok has given emerging artists a unique platform to gauge immediate reactions to their music and gauge which songs resonate with audiences.
The Future of Music
Record labels now consider TikTok analytics as part of their decision-making process for songs to promote. In 2024, TikTok is expected to be a vital part of the music ecosystem, shaping the future of music in exciting and unpredictable ways.
[1] P. Williams, "How TikTok is Changing the Music Industry," Wired, 2021. [2] S. Hemphill, "The TikTok Effect: How the App is Changing the Way Music is Discovered," Billboard, 2020. [3] J. Riedel, "TikTok's Impact on Music," Variety, 2021. [4] A. K. Smith, "The Role of TikTok in the Evolution of Music," The Conversation, 2021.
Technology, such as TikTok, influences the social-media landscape and entertainment realm, with a significant impact on the music industry. By serving as a powerful music discovery platform, TikTok actively exposes users to new artists and tracks, speeding up the process from discovery to popularity. Additionally, viral hits on TikTok can spark immediate boosts in streaming numbers, often propelling songs to the top of the Billboard charts. Furthermore, TikTok shapes music trends and genres by highlighting niche artists and promoting viral trends that crystallize new sounds and cultural moments.
