Social media platform TikTok has teamed up with Billboard to launch its official Top 50 Charts. The charts will measure the popularity of music on the platform, basing its figures on “creations, video views and user engagement”. Currently, the charts are only ranking music in the US, with Sexyy Red’s ‘SkeeYee’ currently sitting at the top spot. This marks the first time a chart has been created to monitor the popularity of music on social media platforms. TikTok’s passionate community of music fans drives songs onto the Billboard charts, making the app the world’s most powerful platform for music discovery and promotion, according to TikTok’s Global head of Music Business Development, Ole Obermann. “Our communities are taking over the song discovery phenomenon and what better way to continue driving music discovery than by partnering with one of music’s biggest brands globally” he added.
Previously, many songs have made a resurgence through the app, such as Kate Bush’s 1985-released single ‘Running Up That Hill’ which reached No. 1 in the UK charts last year after gaining popularity through Netflix’s Stranger Things and TikTok. Dazz Band’s 1982 release ‘Let It Whip’ has now made its way into the TikTok Billboard Top 50, as the track regains popularity, along with country tracks from Zach Bryan and Tim McGraw, as well as songs from R&B artist Charlie Wilson and emo band Pinegrove. The chart refreshes each week and can be viewed on the TikTok website.
TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps globally, and despite controversies surrounding privacy and security concerns, it has continued to grow, especially among younger users. Many emerging DJs have also turned to TikTok as a way of reaching a broad audience, with many experiencing explosive growth on the platform. By partnering with Billboard, TikTok is helping to align itself with music industry professionals to help shape the music trends of the next generation.
The relationship between TikTok and Billboard may prove to be fruitful, providing fresh opportunities for unsigned and emerging musicians to break through to a wider audience. Platforms like TikTok are also enabling these emerging artists to tell their own stories and build unique communities. By allowing both listeners and musicians to connect with each other, TikTok is helping to create a democratic music industry which is consistent with the changes in digital technology that have been occurring in the creative industries, and will allow for new forms of innovation to shape the future of music
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