5.3.2023
TikTok Treats, Week of May 1st
Odetari, Mac Demarco, and Quannnic Prove That All Kinds Of Music Can Find Success on TikTok, While Bad Bunny Goes Regional Mexican, 21 Savage Boosts an R&B Classic, and More
The News:
Each week, the TikTok Treats newsletter gives a snapshot of the state of music on TikTok, touching on trending hits, emerging artists, superstar moves, ascendant memes, and much more.
TikTok is known for propelling hit songs up the charts, but the large and diverse TikTok community often has more adventurous tastes. In recent weeks, TiKTok has helped elevate the profile of some less radio-friendly songs to prominence, on and off the platform.
Houston artist Odetari is climbing viral charts with his song “NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER,” a glitchy and energetic electronic banger that mixes hyperpop vocals with anti-social lyrics. The artist, who also makes his own beats, helped his song take off on TikTok by creating a series of videos, dubbing game cutscenes with NSFW dialogue and his song playing in the background. Though designed for a niche audience, “NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER” quickly broke through to a wider community on the platform, generating over 116k video creations, from creators who dance in cosplay, interpreting their favorite fictional character’s or favorite K-Pop star’s moods. The song’s TikTok popularity resulted in a massive increase in streams–earning over 550k Spotify streams on April 13th, and placing it in the top 5 of Spotify’s US Viral 50. For his part, Odetari thanked the TikTok community for the song’s success, explaining that its chaotic sounds and angry lyrics reflect his own mental health struggles.
Odetari’s “NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER” isn’t the only left-field hit to bubble up on the platform. Shoegaze artist Quannnic’s 2022 song “life imitates life” (8.3k creations) recently reached the Top 10 on Spotify’s Viral 50 chart, where it currently sits at #9. The song’s punishing soundscape has soundtracked heavy emotional moments, moody fan edits, and relationship breakthroughs. On a more humorous note, music fans on TikTok have gotten ahold of “20190724,” one of the 199 songs from Mac Demarco’s new album One Wayne G. A song that some fans have been anticipating for three years, the goofy little ditty (which Mac described as “garbage, but fun to make”) is inspiring some of the most charmingly awkward dances on TikTok, along with Mac Demarco-themed loafs of bread, Earth Day blessings, and lessons in recent Latin American history.
These songs, along with recent trending smashes like Jack Black’s “Peaches” (600k creations) prove that TikTok encourages music lovers to share the music they love, no matter how unconventional their favorites may be.
Check out more recent trends and tidbits from the world of music on TikTok:
- The TikTok community always finds a way to breathe new life into nostalgic R&B tunes. Inspired by a clip of 21 Savage singing former R&B group 702’s 1996 hit, “Get It Together,” TikTok creators have been using that song to share their humorous reactions to relatable situations. Boasting over 40K total creations, 21’s distinct rendition of the ballad’s emphatic hook helps creators express disappointment in their parents’ airline preference, reject the idea of breaking up with their partner, and refuse to give up their favorite snacks to prepare for their summer workouts.
- Broward County rapper iCandy is taking FYPs by storm, inspiring creators to move on to better things and never look back with her red-hot single, “Keep Dat N****” (166k total video creations). Backed by an earworm sample of KC & the Sunshine Band’s 1975 hit, “Boogie Shoes,” the track has creators young, old, and even those of a different breed, strutting their stuff. Joining in on the fun, Emily Ratajkowski hopped on the sound’s most popular dance trend, choreographed by creator @fobsontop_, to blow off some steam before taking the Met Gala red carpet earlier this week.
- Regional Mexican music is having a major moment on TikTok and on the Billboard charts. As Peso Pluma and Eslabon Armado reach new chart milestones with viral hit “Ella Baila Sola,” Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera continue to push the genre forward with their collaboration, “un x100to.” Earning over 322K+ total creations since its mid-April release, the guitar-heavy song is the soundtrack for creators as they show off their attention-grabbing cars, capture the scenery of Guatemala while on vacation, and share sweet gestures they do for their partners. Bad Bunny also interacted with the sound on his TikTok, singing the lyrics as he enjoyed a sunny day outside. Grupo Frontera also used the sound on their page, sharing a live rendition of the song. Due in part to its TikTok success, Grupo Frontera earned their first Hot 100 top 10 hit and“un x100to” became the second Regional Mexican song in history to reach #1 on the Billboard Global 200.
Visit TikTok’s Newsroom for more noteworthy stories: newsroom.tiktok.com
For more info, please contact:
Michelle McDevitt, Annjie Houston, Destiny Riley, T’Keyah Hayes, Audible Treats
Leah Linder, TikTok
The Background:
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Their mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy.
TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Links:
TikTok’s Newsroom: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/
Check out previous editions of TikTok Treats, a weekly newsletter about the most interesting music happenings on TikTok:
TikTok Trends Assemble: Fresh x Reckless, Taylor Swift & Much More
Madonna, Brent Faiyaz, Destroy Lonely & More from Music on TikTok
On TikTok: De La, Bieber, Tank & The Bangas, and More
On TikTok: The “Buddy Holly” Lick, Dogg Transformations, and More
RiRi Returns, Superstar Pride Shines, and TikTok Trends That Prove
On TikTok: Skrillex & Fred Again.., Philly Club, and New Trends From Rising Artists
Grammy Winners, Mariah’s “Wrap,” “Mrs. Right,” and more
Celine Brings It All Back, Tech N9ne Celebrates the Chiefs, Plus More TikTok Music Stories
Pink Floyd’s New Great Gig, PARTYNEXTDOOR’s Sped Up Makeover, & More on TikTok
Miley and Shakira Get Petty, Miguel’s “Sure Thing” Revival, and More TikTok Music Stories
TikTok Welcomes 2023 with Timbaland Jams, K-Pop Bangers, and Multilingual Raps
Music on TikTok: 21 Savage, Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse, and Ice Spice Headline a Star-Studded Week of Trends
SZA’s ‘SOS’ Signal, Coi and Busta Mash Up, Plus More TikTok Trends to Close Out 2022
Metro & The Weeknd, Lady Gaga, Baile Funk and More TikTok Trends to Warm Up The Winter
2022 For You: TikTok’s Top Songs, Artists, and Music Stories of 2022
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BLACKPINK, Steve Lacy, and The Smashing Pumpkins Lead a Busy Week of Music on TikTok
On TikTok: ‘Yonce, Yeat, Lizzo, SZA and More
TikTok’s 2021 Music Report: Key Takeaways
TikTok Reveals Top Songs of 2021, Incl. Doja Cat, Coi Leray and More