If everyones making music for the TikTok, whos making music for my generation?, she asked.
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Old Town Road has become the origin story for a remarkable series of viral musical successes on TikTok.
Virality on TikTok is powerful yet unpredictable.
It has since been used in more than 18 million TikTok videos.
We spoke to Masked Wolf who admitted:
I never made Astro to be on TikTok.
I didnt even know what TikTok was when I released Astronaut.
But it is not just new songs.
Old songs are making remarkable comebacks with entirely new audiences.
Most videos are less than 15 seconds long (though videos of up to 60 seconds are possible).
But videos on TikTok do not directly contribute to chart success.
To end up becoming a global hit and to be listened to by audiences all over the world.
The recent successes of Love Nwantiti and Astronaut in the Ocean are just two examples to make this point.
TikTok is an excellent platform for listeners to gain exposure to new and different music.
The music industry is also coming on board, convinced by the viral success the platform produces.
Ole Obermann again:
I think the acceptance has come now because thats what the fans want.
Engagement with music on TikTok is very different, because music becomes material for creation, for creative expression.
But success also attracts investment, and creating on TikTok will likely become more commercialized over time.
So far much of the virality has happened organically.
