The rise of “middle class” indie artists has been one of the biggest talking points in the music industry this year.
This trend has been underlined in recent months by statistics from Luminate, which showed that indie companies are stealing market share from the major streaming providers.
We also told you about K-pop giant HYBE’s plans to launch an artist services company in the US, citing the “growing need for changes to the traditional business structure in the US market due to its fragmentation.”
Now we have found out that more than half (60%) of the top 10 songs worldwide on the social media giant TikTok this summer were expelled independently of each other.
On Monday (August 19), TikTok released its top 10 songs of the summer for the US and worldwide. According to the platform, the songs are ranked “by total number of creations in summer 2024.”
Below you’ll find the top 10 songs (ranked by creation) on TikTok this summer, globally, and the companies that released those tracks. For the full list of the top 10 US songs of the summer, click here.
1. Gata Only, by FloyyMenor and Cris Mj
At the top of TikTok’s global top 10 list with 15 million creations was a viral reggaeton hit Only Gata by Chilean artists FloyyMenor and Cris MJ.
The title was published through an independent distribution company United Masters in February and debuted at number 98 on the US Hot 100 the following month before climbing to number 27 on the chart about five weeks later.
TikTok also points out that Only Gata was the first appearance by a Chilean artist on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart since 1999.
“I knew from the beginning that this song would be a global hit and its success fills me with pride. I am grateful to the TikTok community for helping the song reach a global audience.”
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On his success as the world’s best song on TikTok this summer, FloyyMenor said: “I am very happy with everything we have achieved with ONLY GATA.
“I knew from the beginning that this song would be a global hit and its success fills me with pride. I am grateful to the TikTok community for helping the song reach a global audience.”
The reggaeton track is not only a viral hit on TikTok. It is also a big hit on Spotify. It is currently ranked number 10 on Spotify’s weekly global top songs chart. According to Chartmetric data analyzed by MBW Only Gata had was streamed 1.03 billion Available on Spotify from Monday, August 19th (see below).
2. Nasty, by TinashE
Tinashe’s Evil, published via Ricky Reed’s Atlantic JV, The beautiful shot of liferanked second in both the US and global top 10 lists.
The track was also named the No. 1 song of the summer in the UK by TikTok.
TikTok said the song was responsible for Over 10 million video creations on the platform this summer.
Tinashe said: “Thank you to all my amazing fans who Evil the No.1 song of the summer in the UK and No.2 worldwide!
“It’s been so fun and incredible watching all the videos you’ve made on TikTok. I love them all! I’m super grateful for your continued support and hope you all enjoy creating more content for the rest of my album. Quantum baby.”
3. MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) by Tommy Richman
Tommy Richman viral hit MILLION DOLLAR BABY, released via PULSE Records/ISO Supremacy, reached number 3 on TikTok’s Global Songs of the Summer chart.
The track was also TikTok’s No. 1 song of the summer in the US this year.
After being teased on TikTok in April, the track went viral and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 following its official release on April 26.
It also peaked at number one on the Billboard Global 200, after already reaching number one on the Billboard Streaming Songs chart, Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and the Billboard R&B chart. It also peaked at number one on Spotify’s global chart in April.
“I’m very happy with what happened this year,” Tommy Richman said this week.
“I made this song with all my friends and I’m just so excited that our flowers came out of this creation. It’s taken on a life of its own that I never could have imagined. I’m grateful for everyone who’s listening.”
4. Birds of a feather flock together, Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s hit Birds of a feather flock together, from their latest album, Hit me hard and softlanded at number 4 on the TikTok charts “Global Songs of the Summer”.
Hit me hard and soft was published in May via Darkroom/Interscope Records (Universal).
Birds of a feather flock together was streamed over 792.8 million times on Spotify alone.
5. Alibi (with Pablo Vittar and Yseult) by Sevdaliza
The track was released via Sevdaliza’s own label. Twisted elegance.
6. Please, Please, Please – Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter’s summer hit Please, please, please, TikTok’s sixth most successful song worldwide this summer, measured by the total number of songs created, was released on June 6 via Universal Music Group’s Island records.
7. ESTE by El Alfa and Nfasisx
ESTE from Dominican rappers El Alfa and Nfasis landed at number 7 on TikTok’s “Global Songs of the Summer” list.
The track was released on July 4th via El Alfa’s own El Jefe Records.
In October of last year, El Alfa, known as “The King” of the dembow genre, signed a “multimillion-dollar, eight-figure deal,” according to a press release at the time, with Florida-based financial services company Sound Royalties. Complex reported that the deal worth $70 million.
8. Tell Your Girlfriend, by Lay Bankz
TikTok notes that rising star Lay Bankz exploded on TikTok this year with her hip-hop dance track Tell your girlfriend.
The track was released in February via Mike Carens Artist partner group.
Los Angeles-based APG became a fully independent company in November 2020. Previously, it operated in a joint venture with Warner Music Group and Atlantic Records.
9. Si No Quieres No by Luis R. Conriquez, Neton Vega
Ranked ninth worldwide was If not, then not by regional Mexican artists Luis R Conriquez and Neton Vega. The track was released through an independent label Kartel Music on March 10th.
Kartel Music recently entered into an expanded partnership with Downtown Artist & Label Services.
Downtown pointed out at the time that the cooperation with Kartel Music led to Luis R. Conriquez‘s album, Corridos Bélicos, Volume IV, secured the first place in Spotify’s Top Albums Debut charts and became the highest-placed new release on the Billboard 200 of the week.
10. Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido by KAROL G
Latin music superstar Karol G completed the top 10 of the world’s best TikTok songs of the summer with her track If you are here before, you know me (Interscope Records).
Karol G has partnered with Interscope for her future recordings in June 2023. The artist first signed with Universal Music Latin Entertainment in 2016.
Commenting on TikTok’s US and global Songs of the Summer 2024 lists, Ole Obermann, the company’s Global Head of Music Business Development, said: “Once again, TikTok’s Songs of the Summer list beautifully demonstrates how the magic of TikTok helps our global community discover and promote a diverse range of incredibly talented artists and their music.”
“The ‘Songs of the Summer’ list is proof that both new and emerging artists of all genres from anywhere in the world can connect with over a billion music fans every day through TikTok, build their careers and influence music culture.”
Ole Obermann, TikTok
Obermann added: “Latin music is one of the most popular genres on TikTok, so it’s no surprise that Gata Only tops our global list alongside some other amazing up-and-coming artists like Sevdaliza and Tommy Richman, as well as superstars like Billie Eilish.
“The ‘Songs of the Summer’ list is proof that both new and emerging artists of all genres from anywhere in the world can connect with over a billion music fans every day through TikTok, build their careers and influence music culture.”
Music business worldwide
