Do you remember exactly how Love Nwantiti that was dropped in 2019 became one of the biggest songs of 2021? One word; Tiktok. The relevance and unequivocal influence of Tiktok on the modern-day acceptance of afrobeats cannot be overemphasized. From dance challenges to general routines, the short-video app has linked people from all over the world to new music and sounds they’ve never heard, which is usually in the background of the short videos on the app. Tiktok has over 3 billion installs worldwide, so it isn’t an exaggeration to say that once your song is recognized on Tiktok, your walking steps should change as well because you’re now a star.
This article would highlight 6 case studies of the effect of Tiktok’s influence in the propagation and revival of the general buzz and hype of the songs highlighted.
IBADI by MAYD –
One of the trending songs on Tiktok this 2021 is a song that established MayD as one of the top party crooners of the 2014 era, when it was released. In a shocking revival, Ibadi has been used for a lot of challenges from Tiktokers outside of Nigeria, which in turn resulted to an increase in streams for the 2014 banger.
SAD GURLZ LOVE MONEY by AMAARAE
Amaarae, who has been recently nominated as best African act at the MTV EMAs, is recording a huge success off SAD GURLZ LUV MONEY remix with Hispanic wonder Kali Uchis and fellow Ghanaian international Moily. The song which emits a high-class vibe wasn’t so hard to latch up to by the Tiktok community, recording over 300k videos already and counting. Another success for Nigerian music (Adopted haha).
ESSENCE by WIZKID FT TEMS
In addition to the many successes that Machala and Tems have recorded this year for their 2020 hit Essence, Tiktok took a special interest in the song. It produced lots of challenges and videos of people just showcasing having a great time, because of how the song makes you feel. It added to the exhilarating expanse and reach of the song; essence to the world!
LOVE NWANTITI by CKAY
This has hands down been the biggest revelation of the year. Its crazy how people didn’t get on the wave from the onset in 2019, because of how catchy the tune proves to be, and can be further seen in the diversity of dance routines, dance challenges, and even other versions available on Tiktok of the hit track LOVE NWANTITI. Let’s just say it’s a delight that the song has gotten as big as it should have, and is still breaking records and topping charts; to be the most shazamed song in the whole wide world isn’t beans at all.
BLOODY SAMARITAN by AYRA STARR
Ayra cemented her position as a Starr when she dropped 19 and Dangerous, which is home to the almost national anthem “Bloody Samaritan”. The song developed a life of its own on tiktok, with choir versions trending lots of inspiring videos, totaling more than 500k videos on Tiktok. Trending in lots of African countries and even worldwide, it is one of the songs whose success on Tiktok resulted in an increase in streams and engagements.
HIGH by ADEKUNLE GOLD FT DAVIDO
Immediately this song dropped, we all knew it would be number 1 material. A smash hit that seemed like it came with its own dance steps, and has been recreated and reproduced thousands of times on Tiktok. The dance challenges ensured the song kept charting (till this date), as the wave is too catchy to ignore.
What other songs do you think has been affected by the magical hands of Tiktok?