For the last few years, TikTok has had a massive impact on the music industry. With more than a billion active monthly users worldwide, the social media platform has played a central role in the evolution of pop culture, particularly when it comes to music.
Whether it’s short snippets of audio which punctuate a viral trend or a new superstar being discovered in real time, in the era of music streaming, TikTok has a huge influence over almost every aspect of the industry.
A recent report from TikTok and Luminate found that 84% of songs which appeared on the Billboard Global 200 in 2024 went viral on the app before they charted, and that engagement with music on TikTok strongly correlated with streaming volumes elsewhere.
The lightning fast pace at which TikTok operates means that – unlike almost any other platform – the app has the ability to propel rising stars into mainstream popularity, renew interest in older music, and turn previously unknown artists into “the next big thing” on an entirely new scale.
It was because of TikTok that Scottish musician Nathan Evans was discovered after posting videos of himself singing sea shanties. Inverness-born singer-songwriter Katie Gregson-Macleod signed a record deal after her track Complex went viral on the app.
With some of these artists touring Scotland in 2025, here are 16 artists who became popular on TikTok.
5. Doja Cat
Having already released her debut album and novelty songs such as Mooo!, Doja Cat was already well on her way to success even before going viral on TikTok. Since the release of her album Hot Pink, a number of her songs have gone viral on the app including Say So — which spawned its own dance trend – Freak, Like That, Best Friend and more. | AFP via Getty Images
6. Megan Thee Stallion
Though she wasn’t signed as a direct result of TikTok, Megan Thee Stallion was first spotted online as a result of her freestyling videos. Following the release of songs such as Hot Girl Summer featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla Sign which saw her break into the mainstream, the American rapper quickly went viral on TikTok when her song Savage was used for a dance challenge. Since then, she has had more success on the platform with songs such as Mamushi featuring Yuki Chiba. | Getty Images for Coachella
7. Nessa Barrett
Initially rising to prominence as a social media personality – rather than as a musician — Nessa Barrett has been active online since 2019. With songs including La Di Die featuring Jxdn and produced by Blink 182’s Travis Barker and I Hope Ur Miserable Until Ur Dead, the star released her more recent album last year and has two concerts lined up for Glasgow this May. | Getty Images for dcp
8. Addison Rae
With more than 88.4 million followers, Addison Rae is one of the biggest accounts on TikTok having begun her career online posting dance videos and trends. Her success on the platform led to many opportunities for the star – including the leading role in Netflix’s remake of She’s All That – Rae’s initial leap into a music career was far from successful. However, in 2024 she appeared on the remix of Charli XCX’s Von Dutch and released her first major label single Diet Pepsi which not only went viral online, but received mainstream acclaim. She is currently preparing to release her debut studio album later this year. | Getty Images for Coachella