TikTok solidifies itself as a top music discovery platform in 2024
TikTok’s statement that “13 of the 16 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 Songs of 2024 had major trends on TikTok” proves the platform’s impact on global track success.
Year-end summaries aren’t just for Spotify wrapped, and TikTok’s review of 2024 has seen the platform stake its claim as one of the most influential platforms in music discovery today. In 2024, the short-form video app proved its power yet again, with an impressive 13 of the 16 No. 1 hits in the US being tied to trends originating on TikTok. The cultural relevance of the platform, along with changes in music consumption habits, means it’s a more powerful tool for artists than ever before.
The platform’s top track of 2024 was FloyyMenor and Cris Mj’s ‘Gata Only’, which was crowned TikTok’s global “Song of the Summer” featuring in over 50 million creations and driving 1.3 billion streams on Spotify. For those of you expecting to see Taylor Swift and The Weeknd dominating the artist chart, think again. 2024 was a global affair, with Latin and K-Pop artists making up the majority. The chart was topped by Mexican artist and influencer, Yeri Mua – the second consecutive year a Mexican artist claimed the number one spot.
Reinforcing its influence, TikTok shared that the top 10 songs in the US inspired over 140 million TikTok creations globally, with rap and hip-hop songs like Lay Bankz’s Tell Ur Girlfriend and Flo Milli’s Never Lose Me going on to enjoy further success on the Billboard and Spotify charts.
In the US, Sabrina Carpenter emerged as one of TikTok’s biggest music stars in 2024, thanks to her viral hits Espresso, Please Please Please, and Taste. Together, these tracks inspired over 15 million TikTok video creations, cementing her global influence on the platform. Carpenter’s standout year also included six Grammy nominations for her album Short n’ Sweet. The album’s release was marked by a unique TikTok in-app experience, where she debuted the project exclusively to fans, showcasing the platform’s important role in connecting artists with their audience.
TikTok has played a key role in amplifying female artists and underrepresented genres in 2024. Stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Tinashe leveraged the platform to expand their audiences, while emerging talents such as Dasha and GloRilla experienced pivotal breakthroughs in their careers.
Beyond promoting music, TikTok collaborated with major artists like Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Jimin, and Sabrina Carpenter to deliver engaging in-app experiences that strengthened the bond between fans and their favourite performers. Features like “Add to Music App” and targeted campaigns transformed viral trends into chart-topping achievements, highlighting TikTok’s force as a music promotion tool.
The platform also shone a spotlight on the creators behind the music. Songwriters and producers such as Amy Allen, who worked with Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo, and FINNEAS, co-writer of Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather, used TikTok to share insights into their creative processes. Through hashtags like #BehindTheSong, fans gained an exclusive look into the stories behind this year’s most popular tracks, making TikTok a hub for both artists and audiences.
Ole Obermann, Global Head of Music Business Development, TikTok stated that, “In 2024 TikTok truly became the music industry’s primary launchpad for music, artists and creativity.” Obermann described TikTok as “a space for discovery, self-expression and fandom”, and noted its role in enabling artists to build a loyal fan base, engage with their audiences, and progress their music careers.