How TikTok Helped Launch Lil Nas X's Career

A few weeks ago, a trend exploded on TikTok's For You page. Short videos of people sipping E-Juice, only to find out it was Yee-Juice and magically transform into cowgirls and cowboys, filled the feeds. At the heart of this meme was 'Old Town Road,' a song by Lil Nas X. The catchy banjo intro leading to an energetic bass drop became the perfect music to inspire countless creators on TikTok and the internet. This trend not only brought fun to the app but also propelled Lil Nas X from an aspiring artist to the Billboard charts and a record deal.

From the beginning, Lil Nas X, a 19-year-old artist from Atlanta, utilized new forms of social media to gain exposure. He had a talent for spotting trends and creating content that resonated with the internet. He started showcasing his music on TikTok, experimenting with 'Old Town Road' as the background music for several memes. When the song took off, it sparked a TikTok trend that spread his music to phones around the world.

The short sample of 'Old Town Road' piqued listeners' curiosity, leading them to search for the full song on streaming services. This resulted in millions of listens for Lil Nas X. Recognizing the impact of TikTok, Lil Nas X expressed his gratitude for the platform, stating that it changed his life and brought his song to diverse audiences simultaneously.

TikTok's ability to rapidly spread a song to different types of users helped 'Old Town Road' climb to the top of several music listings. The song even caught the attention of country music legend Billy Ray Cyrus, who collaborated with Lil Nas X on a remix. Currently, 'Old Town Road' sits at #15 on the Billboard Top 100, and Lil Nas X has signed with Columbia Records.

Lil Nas X's success story showcases how talented artists are leveraging TikTok to grow their fanbase and promote their music. 'Old Town Road' is not the only song that has gained an audience through creative use on TikTok. Songs like Absofacto's 'Dissolve' and Joji's 'Slow Dancing in the Dark' have also exploded with their own trends. The combination of a captivating beat and a creative video format allows these songs to reach a larger audience quicker than ever before.

TikTok users are constantly searching for the next big song or trend to go viral, providing ample opportunities for new and inspired artists to break out on the platform. So, if you have a creative spark, use the app to promote your talent. Who knows, you might be the next artist to captivate our growing audience and ignite a successful career. As for Lil Nas X, he has a message for the TikTok community: 'I want TikTok fans to know that I love them and thank you.'