From viral hits to misogynistic algorithms, TikTok and those who use it are trying their hardest to create a brand new and completely separate music industry ecosystem. TikTok sees unsigned musicians become content creators and A-listers are forced to learn a skill the rich and the famous can never fully understand.
This week we’re stepping out of our comfort zone and discussing something that’s happening in real time, the creation of the TikTok music industry. We’re looking into the ways in which mainstream artists are inorganically trying to go viral, and how unknown artists are exploding overnight from just one song.
We’re joined by Dev Lemons best known for her TikTok and YouTube channel SongPsych, to look into how TikTok is changing pop music and what this means for the women that are making music and seeing success and loss on the app. This is an in-depth look at the changing ecosystem of the music industry and how being part of the cultural movement that is TikTok viral fame might leave behind a wake of smaller artists trapped in major record deals because they didn’t know any better.
If you want to check out Dev’s work you can follow her on TikTok, YouTube or Instagram
Enjoyed this episode? Here are some others we think you’ll like: The Virgin-Whore Complex and Its Control Over Pop Culture & The Lasting Impact of Toxic Tabloid Culture
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Sources for TikTok, Viral Hits and Misogynistic Algorithms
TikTok: How singers are chasing that viral moment (BBC News, April 2022)
TikTok Proved It Can Make Hits — Its Next Test Is Creating Stars (Rolling Stone, Elisas Leight, June 2019)
Over 70 artists got major label deals this year after going viral on TikTok, platform claims (Fader, Jordan Darville, December 2020)
TikTok is changing the rules of the music industry (Tech Radar, Katherine Rodgers, July 2021)
Why the music industry is paying close attention to TikTok (NPR, All Things Considered, January 31st 2022)
How TikTok is changing the music industry (Business Insider, Dan Whateley, January 2022)
Featured TikToks
Salem Ilise – Mad at Disney
Salem Ilise – Emily Mariko song
Salem Ilise – Me or the PS5
Savanna Santos from Avenue Beat (F 2020 fame) – Hey Mom // Like a Woman
Emmwee/Emmy – Stupid Big Teeth
Gayle – ABCDEFU
Bella Poarch build a bitch – response vid
“response” songs of good 4 u by Olivia Rodrigo (which was legit a trend)
Curtis Waters’ Stunnin and this tiktok
Emmwee & her original YouTube Video
Jason Derulo – Savage Love – literally stole the music from a Polynesian dance song
Jack Harlow – First Class
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