Ah yes, TikTok. The Marmite of the app world. You either love it or you hate it and end up watching the same viral videos on Instagram Reels a month later. As much as we love to think it’s a bit cringe, it’s not just pre-teens wiggling to dance music for their 15 minutes of fame, it’s actually home to some of the biggest rising stars in the music industry.
And, with the Chinese-owned app beating search-engine overlord Google to become the most visited site in 2021, it sounds like the place to be if you’re a budding musician.
Take blue-haired, boss bitch, Ashnikko, for example. An already successful artist in her own right, the American-born artist was catapulted into mainstream stardom when her feminist power rap went viral a few years ago. She’s since been on a sold-out UK & US tour, performed to roaring crowds at Reading & Leeds festival, as well as released her debut mixtape ‘DEMIDEVIL’ to phenomenal reviews.
This isn’t just a once-in-a-blue-moon type thing, either. There are artists from all over the world racking up millions of views simply by sharing their music on TikTok. And, believe it or not, some of them are actually quite good.
So, here’s a top-tier selection of our favourite wave-making musicians that are on the rise right now.
PinkPantheress
Arguably the biggest star to rise from the cacophony of trending sounds and goofy dances is PinkPanthress. She began her musical career whilst studying at university, writing lyrics over pre-made garage beats and posting them to TikTok. She essentially became an overnight sensation, with her new-nostalgic tones and soft voice becoming popular amongst users. Her songs ‘Pain’ and ‘Just For Me’ debuted in the UK Top 40; not bad for an artist that was completely unheard of just 2 short years ago.
She recently featured on Mura Masa’s sensational remix of the early 2000s house classic, ‘3 Of A Kind’, called ‘bbycakes’, alongside Shygirl and Lil Uzi Vert. This song is a must-listen.
Earlier in the year, she was announced as the winner of the BBC Sound of 2022, which highlights the most exciting British artists making waves in the music scene right now. She is most definitely one to keep your eye on and is without a doubt one of the most exciting UK artists right now.
Crawlers
Alt-rock band Crawlers have been quietly bubbling under the surface for the last couple of years, with their punchy, charismatic tunes. They’ve built up a loyal and dedicated fan base on TikTok, with their emotionally charged track ‘Come Over (Again)’ going viral at the end of last year, racking up an insane 106.3K videos made with the sound. They’ve just signed to Polydor records, which is an incredible achievement and (hopefully) means we get to hear even more Crawlers songs very soon.
PeachPRC
If you’re looking for some Australian soft pop vibes, PeachPRC is right up your street. Her lyrics often feature hard-hitting topics, but are wrapped up in a cosy blanket of delicate sounds and airy vocals.
She lays bare her struggles with mental health, relationships and sobriety, acting as a big support for people on TikTok who may be going through similar situations. Her rawness and honesty make her incredibly down to earth
She’s released a string of successful singles, including ‘Josh’ and ‘God Is A Freak’, and has been performing live for the first time in venues around Sydney. Peach is doing something incredibly unique; she’s living through the process of her songwriting on TikTok, showing how her music blossoms from her struggles. There’s no one doing it like her right now.
Cassyette
With 1.2 million followers and counting, Cassyette is way more than just a TikTok sensation. Her insanely catchy, alt-rock bangers coupled with an absolutely phenomenal voice has solidified her status as a key player in the UK alternative music scene.
Collaborating with the likes of Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, she’s a big favourite on Radio One and performed an energetic, badass set at Download Festival last year. Her latest single ‘Mayhem’ is a must-listen. Cassyette is really paving the way for women in the alternative community, and we absolutely love her.
Let us know who your favourite musicians from TikTok are in the comments below!
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