5.17.2023
TikTok Treats, Week of May 15th
CHINCHILLA’s “Little Girl Gone” Shows How TikTok Can Help Level the Playing Field for Indie Artists, Plus New Trends Featuring Songs by Rich The Kid, Megan Moroney, 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 the ideal platform for independent artists who want to build a loyal audience. British singer-songwriter CHINCHILLA is the latest artist to find out what putting in the legwork on TikTok can do for a career.
Known for her powerful voice and collection of stylish hats, CHINCHILLA made her name on TikTok by showing off that voice (and those hats) by attempting a series of difficult vocal challenges, using songs by the likes of Minnie Riperton and Jessie J.
In April, CHINCHILLA made her biggest impact yet, sharing a snippet her fierce new song “LITTLE GIRL GONE” with a caption reading, “When they walk in and assume you aren’t the producer because you’re a girl,” and reacting with the appropriate angry attitude. The snippet gained major traction on TikTok, generating over 6.8 million video views and prompting CHINCHILLA to move quickly to release the song on all platforms.
With over 114k creations to date, “LITTLE GIRL GONE” has become a go-to anthem for women who are sick and tired of being underestimated, whether they are determined to get fit, dedicated to learning the tricks of a stereotypically male trade, or ready to defy the odds and start a successful small business. For her part, CHINCHILLA has been eagerly promoting the song on her own page, as she processes her rush hour rage on the London Underground, claps back at critics, gives a glimpse of her recording process, and dances along with her youngest fans.
The TikTok success of “LITTLE GIRL GONE” has brought CHINCHILLA the independent success she worked so hard for. Upon its release on April 21, the song racked up 11,000 digital downloads and CHINCHILLA became the first female solo artist to ever reach the top spot on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart. She kept the momentum going with a cinematic music video–using TikTok to give her biggest fans behind-the-scenes sneak peeks–and by collaborating with an actual chinchilla. Currently sitting at #1 on Spotify’s U.S. Viral 50 chart, “LITTLE GIRL GONE” shows no signs of slowing down.
Check out more recent trends and tidbits from the world of music on TikTok:
- NYC rapper Jay Eazy has the TikTok community tapping into their performance skills in a fun, yet tasty way. After promoting his viral single “Tomioka” in a clip on his TikTok page in mid-March, Jay sparked a trend of creators rapping the emphatic hook over a meal with friends. Originally previewed on TikTok and released in 2022, “Tomioka” garnered over 393K+ total creations. The trend finds grandparents rapping as they enjoy lunch, creators sharing their dads’ hilarious outtakes while recording, and an indulgent post-prom meal with besties. Jay Eazy also does his part to keep the trend going on TikTok, sharing videos of him and his girlfriend eating at different restaurants and reciting the lyrics. Backed by the support of the TikTok community, “Tomioka” earned a spot on Spotify’s US Viral 50 chart with over 11M+ streams, becoming Jay Eazy’s highest-streamed release to date.
- With her new single “Sleep On My Side” (40K+ creations), country songstress Megan Moroney provides a perfect outlet for the TikTok community to call out their misbehaving exes. While some creators reveal that their ex talked to other girls during their relationship, others let those who’ve experienced unfaithful partners know that they deserve better. On her own account, Megan explains the meaning behind the viral lyrics “I sleep on my side and you sleep with everyone” and warns her future boyfriends not to get on her bad side or they could end up having a song written about them too.
- The beauty community on TikTok continues to be a driving force behind viral sounds, and a recent trend using Rich The Kid’s “New Freezer” has returned that 2017 hit to the conversation. Recently reaching #7 on TikTok’s Trending Songs chart, the song has racked up over 56K+ creations, many coming in just the past two weeks, and has become the soundtrack for a beauty transformation challenge where creators show off their regal prom looks, display their glam makeup skills, and reveal a new, braces-free smile. Rich The Kid also did his part to keep the trend circulating on TikTok, using the catchy hook in his own video to debut a luxurious outfit.
TikTok’s Commercial Music Library continues to evolve the variety and volume of music to fuel branded content creation and support artists worldwide. TikTok today announces the Artist Impact Program via the signing of several distribution partnerships within the Commercial Music Library, which now consists of over 1 million rights-cleared tracks and sounds sourced from an extensive network of partnerships.
You can find the full announcement about the Artist Impact Program and its benefits to brands and musicians via TikTok’s newsroom.
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
Blink 182, Lil Yachty, Cardi & GloRilla, and More from Music On TikTok
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