5.10.2023
TikTok Treats, Week of May 8th
Tyler, The Creator Inspires Trends With Three Songs from Three Different Eras, Plus a New Hit From Keshi, and 00s Throwbacks by Akon and AIR
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.
An influential artist whose cult fanbase follows him from platform to platform, Tyler, The Creator is having a moment on TikTok. Since he released The Estate Sale, an expansion of his 2021 album Call Me If You Get Lost, in March, Tyler’s music has been inescapable on the platform, with several songs trending over the past few weeks.
The momentum started in late March, when Tyler released “Dogtooth,” a laid back anthem and the lead single from The Estate Sale. The song immediately inspired a trend, generating over 32.7k creations including multiple videos from Nessa Barrett. The success of “Dogtooth” was mere prelude to TikTok’s Tyler-aissaince, as the new single prompted the TikTok community to dig into his deep catalog to create more trends.
With over 720k creations to date, Tyler’s lush 2017 song “See You Again,” featuring fellow TikTok favorite Kali Uchis, has turned into a musical Rorschach test. Towards the end of the song, Tyler insistently and repeatedly rhymes “ok ok ok” while Kali simultaneous floats above him with “la la las.” According to TikTok, whether one raps along with “ok ok ok” or sings along with “la la la” is a deep window into one’s soul. In a series of personality-revealing videos, TikTok creators posit that “ok ok ok” rhymers are more down-to-earth, while “la la la” singers are more ethereal; an “ok ok ok” person is more likely to pay attention in class, while “la la la” singers daydream, “ok ok ok” rhymers rock sharper makeup, while “la la la” singers enjoy sparkles. Other creators use the song to sing with their best friend, reminisce about singing along at a concert, or show off their Tyler-quoting yearbook.
Tyler’s introspective 2019 song “RUNNING OUT OF TIME” is his latest track to trend on TikTok. The song is popular among students, especially seniors, who are all too aware of the little time they have left in school–the song’s lyric “running out of time” plays over a fast-moving montage of memorable moments from the recent past. The trend has propelled the song to over 263k creations, and also provides inspiration to those losing patience with their ex or those determined to cherish the time they have before it slips away.
More than a decade since his first viral moment, Tyler, The Creator continues to trend. Perhaps this increased attention on TikTok will inspire the mercurial artist to finally jump on board and start an account of his own.
Check out more recent trends and tidbits from the world of music on TikTok:
- Akon’s 2004 hit “Lonely” finds creators yearning for one last moment with their dearly departed family and friends. Garnering over 492K+ creations to date, creators use a scenic effect to reveal how much they miss their cousins and mourn the loss of their favorite gym influencers. “Lonely” also inspired a more lighthearted trend of creators expressing loneliness when their children leave for college and when their girlfriends leave for a short period of time.
- Acclaimed French electronic duo AIR’s 2000 ambient pop track “Playground Love” feat. Gordon Tracks (156K+ creations) is making creators think about how much their life has changed and how their past self would never believe it. Accompanied by Marie Antoinettte-inspired dialogue from the film The Virgin Suicides ( “Let them eat cake / That’s such nonsense, I would never say that”), to which AIR provided the soundtrack, the song prompts wistful reflections on changed relationships with parents, unexpected breakups, and the end of friendships.
- Creators are in a heartfelt mood on TikTok thanks to the sped up version of Vietnamese-American singer keshi’s sweet love song “UNDERSTAND.” With over 94K creations, the sound provides the backing track for promposals, glimpses into couples’ cute adventures, and shows of appreciation for friends who always provide a shoulder to cry on. It also sparked one humorous observation from a creator who can always count on that one friend to be delusional right along with them. Keshi seems to be enjoying his recent success, judging from recent videos on his own page showing highlights from his life and his recent tour.
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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Taylor Track Reveals, Sam Smith + Kim Petras, and More From Music on TikTok
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