TikTok is a social media network that stirs plenty of controversies. When it comes to rap music, some say TikTok can break or make a rapper’s song. It’s true that many of those videos have huge potential to go viral, but it is also about how catchy is the material and how appealing it is to the public.
How TikTok Influences Rap
Today, it is a lot easier to gain followers and boost popularity as a rap artist due to all these amazing online social platforms. On the other hand, competition is fierce with all these talented young rappers.
At first, most people perceived TikTok as a place full of shallow content and juvenile jokes. After a while, it became clear that this environment might have some sort of credibility as a launching platform for young musicians. Just look at what Lil Nas X achieved after publishing several short-form videos on this sharing app. He was number one three weeks in a row, breaking Drake’s record.
Filming and posting a 15-second video might not be a lot but, with the right setting and a concise message, there are plenty of interesting things one can do in just a few seconds.
According to RapTV, TikTok has created some of the most creative rap stars of all time. This social platform has had a significant influence on all music genres and the overall music industry. This popular short-video sharing app has truly revolutionized the way we find, listen, and promote new songs and fresh artists.
Besides resurrecting some old and almost forgotten songs, TikTok also did a great job at sparking new careers and bringing success to a handful of hip-hop musicians. Here are some of them!
Rap Stars Who Used TikTok to Boost Their Success
Many of the following rappers went on TikTok to have fun at first, but soon after, they saw how much this platform could help increase their popularity if they use it well.
Lil Nas X
This young rapper had the courage to collaborate with Billy Ray Cyrus and perform the well-known country song Old Town Road. He changed it by giving the song a more modern vibe through his rapping moments. His performance gained momentum on TikTok. Two hashtags were the ones that helped promote the video: #yeeyeejuice and #cowboygang.
This 21-year-old American singer, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, has taken the music industry by storm in 2019 with his amazing Billboard record. We are all curious to see what he’s up to next.
Lizzo
Lizzo knew that she wanted to become a famous singer and rapper from a young age. In the 6th grade, she started playing the flute, and after several years, she formed her own rap group, which was called the Cornrow Clique.
Lizzo is a fighter and a survivor, so she knew how to overcome homelessness as well as body-shaming issues. Her song Truth Hurts was released back in 2017, but it had regained popularity when the artists took it on TikTok. Not only did this social platform make the song popular again, but it has also contributed to Lizzo’s Grammy nomination.
Ambjaay
This American rapper had released some songs in 2018. The most notable one was Shit, Talker. One year later, his career blew up when his Uno song turned Ambjaay into a global phenomenon. He has TikTok to thank for that success. He even told journalists that this specific app helped him a lot.
He knew that many of his target audience spends a lot of time on TikTok. All his efforts weren’t in vain since he signed with Columbia Records.
TikTok may have started as something to post jokes and have fun on, but it turned out to be so much more than that. Many rappers increased their success and gained awareness by posting short-form videos on this app. They have proven their creativity, especially now during the quarantine.