Hey guys, gals, & non-binary pals!
Welcome to Hot Takes: a segment on my blog where I share with you all of my thoughts surrounding hot topics, musical news, and my overall wonderings about the world! This week's Hot Take? TikTok and its impact on the revitalization of classic tracks! Come listen.
What is TikTok without music?
If you're a fan of the high intensity, endless rabbit-hole of an app like I am, then you know how influential music choice is on post popularity.
In only a few years, TikTok has completely changed the music industry. An app frequently used by the younger generation, Gen Z, TikTok empowers its content creators to create dance challenges, comedy sketches, and overall 'trends' to catchy tunes. The catchier the tune, it seems, the more content creators will use the 'sound' in their short videos. Many of these tracks fall into the genre of pop and hip-hop, and often include 'throwbacks' from the earlier 2000s and 2010s. For many artists, like Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat, whose songs became instant hits on the app, TikTok was a catalyst for their music careers. The app has even become a home for smaller, lesser-known artists, like 347aidan, Blu DeTiger, and Flo Milli, to make their start, as all three were featured on TikTok's Music 2020 list, "The Come Up: Emerging Artists."
However, perhaps the most curious affect TikTok has had on the music industry is the revitalization of old music. Among the "For You Page" of TikTok, an expertly-placed video can spark interest in a previously-popular track, such as George Michael's "Careless Whisper," or rediscover a forgotten gem, like "No More ?'s" by Easy-E and Ice Cube.
For the first time in years, classic artists like Fleetwood Mac, George Michael, and Paul Anka sit on the Top 100 charts alongside popular artists like Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, and Drake, all because of TikTok and its content creators. For a music lover, such as myself, this phenomenon is particularly interesting, given the myriad of factors in play.
Off of TikTok, a new trend is at play: the Y2K aesthetic. For those of you not familiar with this trend, do not worry--it is not as cryptic as it seems. Y2K is a clever way to say, "Year 2000," and, as it appears, the trend focuses on aesthetic fashion and music trends from 1998-2003, or "The Peak 2000's." So, yes. For the first time ever, the horrible shiny, glittery shirts, skirts, and pants that your mom bought you from Limited Too® are finally popular again! And low-rise jeans? And tiny sunglasses? Hooray! Besides the revitalization of fashion trends that have historically only flattered thinner women (more on that another day), the Y2K aesthetic has also taken a special interest in bringing back 90's and early 2000's music hits. On many Y2K playlists, sparkly-pop tracks from Jennifer Lopez, Brittney Spears, and Madonna share space with more iconic 90's hits from Will Smith and The Spice Girls. On TikTok, I believe this trend has contributed to the revitalization of classic 90's hits, like "Tricky" by Run-D.M.C. However, that hasn't fully explained the explosion of classic music on the popular app.
In my opinion, I believe that the unintentional collaboration between the Y2K aesthetic and the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the revitalization of classic 'oldies' on the Gen Z app, TikTok. In times of crisis, we tend to reach for nostalgia to comfort ourselves. For many of us, that meant bringing in old stuffed toys to cuddle, watching childhood TV shows, and, of course, listening to our favorite tracks from long ago. These items, though they haven't been visited in years, brought us comfort in the past, so psychologically, our brains convince us that they will continue to bring us comfort now, 10-20 years later. In a New York Times article, written by Danielle Campoamor, the science behind this trauma response is explained further, but for the sake of this post, I want to keep it brief. Essentially, our longing for the past is a way to cope with the crisis at hand, and, whether it be good or bad, it makes us feel safe. The rise of popularity of classic music goes hand-in-hand with this phenomenon.
Take my experience for example: I am a 20-year-old woman who hated middle school. I mean, HATED middle school. However, during the pandemic, I listened to One Direction (whom I listened to heavily at age 12) for a week and a half straight. Even more so, I revisited my old SoundCloud account, which had plenty of EDM to make me feel the excitement of middle school dances, bus rides with my friends, and bike rides in my neighborhood, for months! Even though I did not have fond memories from middle school, my brain leaned on music from this era of my life to help comfort me, as I experienced the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the lack of obligation during the pandemic, and the pressing need for entertainment, individuals turned to TikTok for fun, carrying their need for nostalgia with them. Thus, as increased usage occurred, and the Y2K aesthetic emerged, TikTok became a hub for nostalgic tunes--both those we had forgotten and those we thought we lost forever.
In an effort to celebrate what this app has done for the revitalization of older music, I have created a playlist of some of my favorite tracks to have resurfaced or, for me, been discovered during the year 2020. Within that playlist, you will hear songs like, "Careless Whisper," "Tricky," and, "Hooked on a Feeling," while also being, perhaps, introduced to ones such as, "How Bizarre," "Cars That Go Boom," and "Babooshka." Overall, I hope that this playlist reminds you of the profound impact that technology has on our lives, especially in times of crisis.
As always, peace.
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