TikTok's Music Revolution: How a Social Media Giant Crowned New Stars and Revived Classics in 2025
TikTok, the platform that’s become a cultural juggernaut, has once again proven its power to shape the music industry. In 2025, it didn’t just spotlight viral sensations; it resurrected classics, launched careers, and redefined what it means to be a global music phenomenon. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some celebrate TikTok’s democratization of music discovery, others argue it’s reducing art to bite-sized trends. Let’s dive into the highlights—and the debates—that made TikTok’s music awards a hot topic this year.
Katseye: The Global Sensation That Conquered TikTok
Leading the pack is Katseye, the Los Angeles-based girl group that snagged TikTok’s Global Artist of the Year title. With over 30 billion views and 12 million creations using their music, Katseye’s rise is nothing short of meteoric. Comprised of six members from the U.S., Philippines, South Korea, and Switzerland, the group blends diverse influences into a sound that’s undeniably global. Their song "Gnarly" became a TikTok staple, inspiring 2.4 million videos, including ones from stars like Camila Cabello and K-pop sensations Enhypen, Le Sserafim, and Tomorrow X Together. And this is the part most people miss: their track "Gabriela", which earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, sparked a dance trend with 2.8 million creations and 9.8 billion views. Even their collaboration with Gap, set to Kelis’s "Milkshake," went viral, racking up 151 million views and countless remakes.
Connie Francis: A Timeless Classic Finds New Life
In a bittersweet twist, the late Connie Francis became a TikTok sensation just months before her passing in July 2025. Her 1962 hit "Pretty Little Baby" was crowned TikTok’s Global Song of the Year, thanks to 28.4 million videos and a staggering 68.6 billion views. A video by Kylie Jenner and her daughter Stormi alone garnered 132 million views. The song’s resurgence wasn’t just digital—it soared to 130 million streams on Spotify and charted on the Billboard Global 200. Tracy Gardner, TikTok’s global head of music business development, noted, "The song was adopted by a new generation," highlighting TikTok’s unique ability to bridge eras.
Taylor Swift: The Queen of Saves
While Katseye and Connie Francis dominated views and trends, Taylor Swift reigned as TikTok’s Global Most-Saved Artist. Fans saved millions of her songs, including tracks from her latest album, "The Life of a Showgirl," to streaming platforms. This raises a thought-provoking question: Is TikTok’s impact on music consumption more about fleeting trends or lasting fandom?
Other Standouts: From Sombr to Doechii
TikTok’s awards didn’t stop there. Sombr’s "Back to Friends" was named Global Most-Saved Track, with 7.7 million creations and 21.7 billion views. Tate McRae’s album "So Close To What" took home Global Most-Saved Album, while Ejae, a member of HUNTR/X, was honored as Top Songwriter for co-writing hits like "Golden." Meanwhile, Doechii’s "Anxiety" became the Music Trend of the Year, inspiring 10.4 million creations and 51.6 billion views, including a viral dance video by Will Smith and Tatyana Ali.
The Bigger Picture: TikTok’s Role in Music Discovery
TikTok’s dominance in music discovery is undeniable. As Gardner puts it, "TikTok connects global audiences to the artists and the music they love, and that ability to spark fandom for every kind of artist and genre is what continues to set us apart." But here’s the controversial angle: Is this rapid-fire consumption diluting the artistry of music? Or is it simply evolving how we engage with it?
TikTok’s Top Artists and Songs of 2025
Here’s a glimpse at the stars and tracks that ruled TikTok this year:
Top 10 Global Artists:
1. Katseye
2. Alan Arrieta
3. Enhypen
4. Bad Bunny
5. Stray Kids
6. Taylor Swift
7. Lady Gaga
8. Fuerza Regida
9. Billie Eilish
10. Ariana Grande
Top 20 Global Songs:
1. "Pretty Little Baby" – Connie Francis
2. "Hold My Hand" – Jess Glynne
3. "Rock That Body" – Black Eyed Peas
4. "Azul" – J Balvin
5. "Dame Un Grrr" – Fantomel x Kate Linn
6. "APT" – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
7. "Te Quería Ver" – Alemán & Neton Vega
8. "Stecu Stecu" – Faris Adam
9. "Anxiety" – Doechii
10. "Sailor Song" – Gigi Perez
11. "Shake It To The Max" – MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, Shenseea
12. "Ocean Eyes" – Billie Eilish
13. "No One Noticed" – The Marias
14. "Back to Friends" – Sombr
15. "Sparks" – Coldplay
16. "That's So True" – Gracie Abrams
17. "Let Down" – Radiohead
18. "Suave" – El Alfa
19. "My Darling" – Chella
20. "We Hug Now" – Sydney Rose
Final Thoughts: Is TikTok the Future of Music?
TikTok’s 2025 awards showcase its unparalleled ability to launch careers, revive classics, and create global phenomena. But as we celebrate these achievements, it’s worth asking: Are we losing something in the process? Is the algorithm-driven, trend-focused nature of TikTok enriching music culture—or oversimplifying it? Share your thoughts in the comments: Do you think TikTok is the future of music discovery, or is it just a passing phase? Let the debate begin!
