More about: musicParamoreCharli XCXRina SawayamaPinkPantheressfypMason Ramseyyung leanlippysynctokHowDoYouHUGOCloseYourRingsArbysDiabloDare

Beginning as a rejection of vaccine misinformation, Neil Young’s departure from Spotify has triggered a larger conversation on modern music consumption, leaving the portion of the internet that cares locked in a virtual shouting match on the ethics of streaming. Now that digital music culture is under the microscope, it seems only a matter of time until TikTok’s role in the industry faces the same scrutiny.

Boasting a unique ability to platform the artists of tomorrow, TikTok is undeniably dependent on music: it’s the clear driving force behind the majority of its content and culture. But despite artists having the ability to access worldwide audiences and forge entire careers from their bedrooms, it doesn’t necessarily equate to financial success.

Much of TikTok’s trending audio consists of slightly edited versions of songs, often without reference to the original artist. Though a fascinating insight into the evolution of our listening habits, it poses the potential risk that artists can’t guarantee fair credit or financial reward if their music goes viral.

While older music fans may find comfort in a return to traditional listening formats, a generation raised on digital music libraries are likely to have more trouble parting with streaming. In the meantime, TikTok’s unofficial charts continue to constantly shift, while users, perhaps unknowingly, mould the future of mainstream music.

Mason Ramsey - Before I Knew It

@masonramsey

Going for employee of the month🤞

♬ Before I Knew It - Mason Ramsey

From Walmart to the world, Mason Ramsey is no stranger to the power of the internet. More commonly associated with the vast acoustics of his local supermarket, hearing a studio-recorded and slightly matured version of his voice is a stark reminder of the passage of time (it’s been FOUR YEARS since that video).

The teen star remains anchored to reality via his job at Subway, which has become the centre of 'Before I Knew It’’s viral marketing campaign. Ramsey mimes: “I’ve been holding all the doors, holding your hand, getting off of work as fast as I can,” while cleaning tables, making sandwiches, and two-stepping.

Many users are questioning the legitimacy of his service career, given the enormous success of his 2019 single ‘Twang’ (over 60 million views on YouTube alone). But whether it’s real or a clever partnership deal, Ramsey seems to be sculpting his brand of normalcy. After all, for a singer brought to public attention through a Walmart busking video, it seems appropriate for his return to the limelight to come from behind the Subway counter.

Charli XCX - Beg For You (ft. Rina Sawayama)

@charlixcx

👀

♬ Beg For You (feat. Rina Sawayama) - Charli XCX

Interpolating September’s iconic 2006 dance hit ‘Cry For You’ on a song that sees the collision of two of modern pop’s most beloved artists is a recipe for algorithmic success. 

Capturing the zeitgeist of TikTok with a heavy dose of early '00s nostalgia, delivered by the most relevant voices in British pop to a nation finally back in the clubs, it’s no wonder ‘Beg For You’ has been devoured by the app’s Gen-Z audience. 

Pinkpantheress - Tell Me Where You Are (Ft. Willow Smith)

@pinkpantheress Reply to @lynnmiah she ate me up fr #fyp #music ♬ original sound - 😘🙈☺️

Continuing the theme of collaboration, ‘Tell Me Where You Are’ sees Gen-Z icons Willow Smith and Pinkpantheress join forces from opposite ends of the Atlantic. Echoing the overly-confessional aspect of the app, Smith admits she’s on a “downward spiral” (a rumoured reference to an Instagram meme account of the same name), over a Pinkpanthress signature re-worked garage beat. 

So far, only a snippet of the song is out, shared by Pinkpanthress in response to a comment on an early video saying: “I feel like willow smith needs to be on this.” There’s no doubt the full track will claim ‘Meet Me At Our Spot’ levels of success upon release.

Yung Lean - Ginseng Strip 2002

@_lippysynctok #lippysynctok #HowDoYouHUGO ♬ Ginseng Strip 2002 - Yung Lean

A catalyst for the lo-fi, emo rap dominating internet culture, Yung Lean’s ‘Ginseng Strip 2002’ soundtracks almost eight million videos on TikTok. The song is notoriously built around a mystery sample that has bewildered fans for almost a decade, with dedicated Reddit users scouring the web in attempts to decipher its origin.

Though the song is nearing its 10 year anniversary, it remains eerily relevant, instilled with a DIY essence intrinsic to TikTok. And, with a new-found audience, perhaps fans are one step closer to uncovering the well-guarded secret.

Paramore - Hard Times

@sagethomass yea. #CloseYourRings #ArbysDiabloDare ♬ original sound - :)

The nostalgia-baiting marketing of When We Were Young festival, with its line-up announcement reminiscent of Kerrang! magazine’s sticker page, triggered a mass revisit to previously retired emo phases. Paramore were a staple on the majority of adolescent playlists, and as fans await their recently-announced return, a euphoric resurrection of 2017’s ‘Hard Times’ has dominated the FYP.

Perhaps its virality stems from at-the-time teenage fans now aging into the sombre lyrics, finally hearing as Williams’ endlessly comforting voice departs frank truths of adulthood. But rather than dwell on the hardships, this sound sees users dance through the pain, in one of the most wholesome trends of 2022 so far.

Issue Two of the Gigwise Print magazine is on sale now! Buy it here.

More about: musicParamoreCharli XCXRina SawayamaPinkPantheressfypMason Ramseyyung leanlippysynctokHowDoYouHUGOCloseYourRingsArbysDiabloDare