Is TikTok changing the way we listen to music?

TikTok has promptly become one of the most influential social media platforms in developing trends throughout various industries. TikTok’s impact has particularly stood out in shaping the music industry. Since the app’s launch in 2016, TikTok has changed the way people discover, interact with and share music. Thanks to catchy songs, viral challenges and influencer-driven content TikTok has helped upcoming artists gain popularity by changing the way music is promoted and has created new ways for songs to go viral. TikTok now plays a key role in discovering music as well as being an essential tool for artists to build their careers and fan bases. One of the reasons TikTok’s impact on the music industry is so great is due to its ability to make songs go viral, often in unexpected ways. The algorithm of the app is designed to push content to users based on their interactions, making it possible for even the most niche tracks to achieve widespread attention. 

This has led to a new era where the Billboard charts are no longer solely determined by radio airplay or streaming numbers but are also heavily influenced by TikTok trends. In fact, many songs that gain popularity on TikTok end up topping the Billboard Hot 100, and some even become cultural phenomena. For example, the success of songs like Old Town Road by Lil Nas X exemplifies TikTok’s power in launching songs to success, demonstrating how TikTok is a platform for listening to music and an influential means for creating viral moments that can make or break a song. His 2019 hit, which initially gained attention as a viral meme on TikTok, quickly climbed the charts and dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 19 weeks. Additionally, Lil Nas X won two Grammy Awards for Old Town Road (Remix) featuring Billy Ray Cyrus at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2020. What started as a joke turned into a chart-topping anthem, with millions of TikTok users participating in the song’s dance challenges.

Doja Cat is another artist who got her breakthrough and success through TikTok. Her song Say So went viral thanks to a dance challenge that took over the platform created by the user Haley Sharpe. The challenge led to an overwhelming amount of TikTok content featuring her song, which in turn increased its streaming numbers on platforms like Spotify. As the song continued to gain attention, it helped create Doja Cat’s position as a mainstream artist. Her increasing popularity led to the song being nominated for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2021 Grammy Awards. It’s clearly no longer enough for an artist to release a song and hope for radio play or gradual growth. Today, TikTok has become an essential tool as a promotional strategy for an artist.

The rise of independent artists on TikTok is another noteworthy development in the music industry. Before the rise of TikTok, breaking into the music scene oftentimes required signing with a major record label or gaining attention through radio and television shows. However, TikTok has reshaped the music industry, giving unsigned and independent artists the chance to be discovered by a global audience and granting them an unprecedented level of accessibility by fans and other artists. For example, Sabrina Carpenter’s song Nonsense became a viral hit after being used in various TikTok videos. Carpenter, who had been working as an actress and singer for years, saw an increase in popularity when her song went viral on the platform, allowingCarpenter to directly engage with her audience and build a new fanbase from TikTok trends.Similarly, Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso also gained significant attention on TikTok, further showcasing how TikTok continues to integrate artists into the mainstream. The track inspired numerous dance challenges, which led to an increase in streaming numbers and visibility. Carpenter's ability to connect with her audience via the platform helped her achieve massive recognition and resulted in her winning the 2025 Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance for Espresso. Furthermore, her album Short n' Sweet took home the Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy, becoming a turning point in her career. 

Chappell Roan, an artist relatively unknown before her viral rise, is another example of how TikTok has transformed the careers of independent musicians. Her song Pink Pony Club became viral and this newfound popularity expanded her fan base. TikTok’s focus on self-expression and individuality resonated with users, hence its popularity. Her rise to fame through TikTok has shown that the platform is not just for mainstream pop music but has opened doors for artists from various genres. TikTok provided her with a space where she could showcase her unique style and musical identity, which might have been harder to achieve in a more traditional music industry setting. The success of TikTok led to her receiving a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in 2025, which she won. Additionally, her 2024 album Good Luck Babe also gained recognition, with some critics praising her ability to combine emotional vulnerability and catchy pop melodies. The track Good Luck Babe inspired many TikTok users to create content, resulting in a boost in streams on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Her song Hot to Go was another outstanding track that gained attention on TikTok through the creation of dance challenges. 

Another way TikTok has influenced the music industry is through the resurgence of older songs. In recent years, TikTok has brought back songs from previous decades, allowing them to reach new audiences. For example, Dreams by Fleetwood Mac became viral on TikTok in 2020 when user Nathan Apodaca posted a video of himself skateboarding while drinking cranberry juice and lip-syncing to the song. The video went viral, and suddenly Dreams was back on the charts after 40 years since its original release. This phenomenon known as the “TikTok effect,” shows how TikTok has become a powerful means of making older music popular again and introducing it to a new generation of listeners.

As TikTok continues to evolve, its influence on the music industry will only become more profound. Whether it’s through the rise of new artists, the promotion of diverse genres or the revival of old hits, TikTok has forever changed the music industry. The app is constantly transforming through the introduction of new features, trends and challenges that keep users engaged and involved. It’s clear that TikTok will play a crucial role in shaping the music world by changing the way we listen to music, discover new artists and engage with our favorite songs in the digital age.

Photo credits: Anthony Quintano on Flickr