TikTok Launches TikTok Spotlight Program to Support Independent Artists

TikTok, the world's leading platform for short-form mobile videos, has launched a new program called "TikTok Spotlight" to discover and support independent and unsigned artists. This program aims to provide musicians with a platform to showcase their original work and gain exposure to a global audience. Through TikTok Spotlight, musicians can submit their music and have it featured on the app, allowing users around the world to discover and use their music in their videos.

TikTok has become a hub for creativity and originality, allowing users to express their ideas through content related to regional cultures and trends. The platform has helped many local artists go viral, and music plays a significant role in TikTok's creative DNA. With the launch of TikTok Spotlight, the platform aims to discover hidden talent and cultivate the latest hits, providing rising musicians with the opportunity to gain exposure.

The first season of TikTok Spotlight will focus on Japan and Korea, collaborating with 21 major industry players to support the growth of independent artists. TikTok will work with these partners to feature rising musicians and their best work on the app and various music platforms, giving them direct exposure to music fans and industry leaders such as labels, publishers, and artist management agencies.

The program will officially launch on April 5, and musicians can create an account and submit their original content through the TikTok Spotlight Portal. Once cleared, their music will be promoted in TikTok's featured playlist and shared with users for content creation. Verified TikTok musicians will receive a unique badge on their pages.

TikTok Spotlight will feature two rounds of competition over the next five months to select the top 100 and top 18 musicians based on the popularity of their music and the opinions of the judge panel. At the end of the season, the top 5-10 musicians will be selected and provided with production opportunities and other prizes.

TikTok has been actively collaborating with the music community in Japan and Korea, promoting artists and music events. The platform has worked with A-list musicians such as BTS, Blackpink, and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu to help them engage with a global audience. In 2018, TikTok Japan saw the creation of over 280 official hashtag challenges, most of which featured J-Pop music and original soundtracks. The success of artists like Kana Adachi, who gained over 240,000 fans on TikTok in just a month, showcases the platform's potential for musicians.

Overall, TikTok Spotlight is an exciting opportunity for independent artists to gain recognition and connect with a global audience. The program's collaboration with industry leaders and its focus on discovering hidden talent make it a valuable platform for rising musicians.